2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 573 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 23 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2026
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious and recurring steering system defect involving my Mercedes-Benz vehicle and Recall Campaign No. 2017120022 (steering column defect). Mercedes-Benz corporate representatives provided conflicting information regarding whether the recall repair was completed in 2018. One representative stated it was performed; another stated no record exists. I was never notified that a recall repair had been completed. This inconsistency raises immediate concerns regarding recall documentation integrity and owner notification compliance. The identical steering column system has now failed again, resulting in a complete steering column lock and vehicle immobilization. The repair estimate exceeds 2,500. A total steering lock is a critical safety failure with clear risk implications. If the recall repair was completed, recurrence of the exact same safety-critical component failure within only a few years strongly indicates that the original recall remedy was either improperly performed, defective in itself, or fundamentally inadequate to eliminate the defect. Steering column assemblies are not routine wear items. Mercedes-trained master technicians have confirmed that such failures are rare over a vehicle’s lifetime and highly unusual shortly after replacement. Federal safety recall law requires manufacturers to fully and permanently remedy safety defects at no cost to the consumer. A failed recall remedy that results in repeat failure of the same component shifts the burden improperly onto the owner and undermines the purpose of the recall system. I respectfully request that NHTSA formally investigate whether Recall 2017120022 has resulted in recurring steering column failures following recall repairs, evaluate the sufficiency of the remedy, review Mercedes-Benz USA’s recall tracking and notification procedures, and require reimbursement if the defect represents a failed recall correction.This matter shows a serious vehicle safety concern.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 2, 2025
I was told this from a BENZ dealer. There was a warranty extension on this VIN: [XXX] that ended on 03/02/2023 which, had to do with adjustment units for the camshafts. Nothing we could assist with goodwill on this due to the age of vehicle. This is NOT fair and I’m experimenting this exact process and Mercedes Benz does not want to take responsibility and get this fixed for me. Now my vehicle can not pass a smog test required. Please help INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Visibility, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2023
The glue that suppose to make sure my windshield is secure is no longer secure. The windshield moves as I am driving. It’s only on the corner of the driver side. Everything else is secured. Also my airbags (passenger and driver). There is a recall but its not showing when I run the Vin # .
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2023
2013 C300 subframe rusted and cracking.
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2023
UNKNOWN: Transmission malfunction on the computer for the car. Seems like a sensor problem
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2023
Car was garage kept and in mint condition, yet the rear subframe has completely rusted through and while breaking the car lurches to the right. Also the breaking performance is noticeably impaired. There was no signs of this failure as the car still looks new, only way of knowing was the near crash while driving and trying to stop.
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2023
When breaking at high speeds, the car feels like I will lose control of it. Has happened a few times and I thought I was going to hit the neighboring car. Took it to a repair shop and found out that the rear driver side subframe Is completely rotted out and the rear control arm is hanging. The car only has about 97,500 miles on it, has not been driven in high salt areas, and doesn’t have any other signs of rust. Two auto body shops have told me this shouldn’t happen on a car with that low mileage, and these cars, Mercedes c300s, are known to have this defect.
Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2023
Rear subframe rusted out and failed. This caused vehicle to suddenly veer to left upon braking. Was fortunate to avoid hitting something. Dealer says common problem but Mercedes isn’t recalling/replacing defective subframes.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2022
Went to brake, heard a thump, car proceeded to loose control bearing to the left. Then went into other lane! Could not regain control of the car until it came to a complete stop. No warning light came on,. Took to mechanic, put it on the lift found rear right side of the frame rotted. This car is garage kept, nothing else is rusted on the vehicle. The vehicle is not near any water. This a known problem with this model Mercedes. Spoke with Mercedes Benz USA, was advised not to drive the car, the frame could detach and puncture gas tank!! I have seen the recall for the problem in Canada and Europe and the repairs were covered by Mercedes. Now I have my only mode of transpiration, undriveable and sitting waiting on help!!
Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2022
The subframe of my car is completed rotted out. I've been reading MB forums and threads and this seems to be a universal issue. There needs to be a recall. My car started to giveway while driving down the highway. It took it to a mechanic and that's when the subframe rot was discovered. This is a major issue and needs to be made right with Merecedes!
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2022
Brought my car to the dealership because I was hearing a noise when going over bumps. Also noticed some instability when braking and driving at highway speeds. Dealer informed my my subframe had rusted and told me the car was unsafe to drive.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2022
Driving my 300 down the highway at around 70MPH and after lightly pressing the break, the car surved into right and left lane. I could have gotten into an accident, but luckily no other car was on the road. Taking my car to the mechanic it was discovered that My 2013 C300 has a rotted subframe, this was not caused by any damage but due to the part not being protected from rust. Rust caused the subframe to rot from the inside out. Many C300 have reported this issue, and the large number of failures on this subframe across my C300 and multiple models is concerning. This is a gross failure of a major safety component that can cause serious injury or death. My research showed this part has been recalled in Canada; MBUSA feels the need to wait to do so until a serious injury or death has occurred. The defective subframe is known and the new part’s design has been amended to take into account this rust issue. MBUSA’s decision exhibits a lack of accountability for a defective part and this issue needs to be promptly addressed for the safety of its customers.
Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2022
Recall
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2022
The door handle on the driver side stopped opening. I believe it became broken on the inside. Upon researching it I found that this is a recurring problem in many cars of my same make and model. Additionally I took the car to a mechanic to be fixed and apparently the dealerships are keeping the part in stock because this is a common issue. The car will not open from the inside without purchasing an entire new panel to repair it. This seems like a recall issue as a present safety concerns. This cost over $1200 to repair.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2022
The rear subframe has failed. I have felt some swaying and decreased control when driving the car at higher speeds especially when braking and taking curves. My safety has been put at risk as the wheel could go out and cause an accident. I brought the car to the mechanics at Goodyear as I thought it was the brakes. They informed me that the rear subframe was rusted from the inside out and was loose at the left rear toe arm. I am setting up an appointment to get this taken care of. As I am calling, mechanics are letting me know that the subframes are on backorder in the range of months. They say they are seeing this more often. I contacted the dealer and they said they can get a used one and replace it for $5200. I believe that if this is becoming more common where new ones are on backorder and this is obviously a safety issue then a recall should be issued. The car is only 9 years old and is garage-kept. I think that this idea of that type of rust at this point is absurd.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2022
Vehicle was taken in for standard maintenance and I was informed that the rear sub-frame had a rusted through hole on one side and was rusting on the other. This vehicle is well maintained, garaged, and has normal annual maintenance with the dealership. There was no prior warning that this was an issue or "normal wear and tear" was causing this problem. The repair is quoted to be over 5k and I was told it is/will be essential because of a safety issue. Through some brief internet research, it appears like this is a larger problem and could have catastrophic problems if it is not caught before it fails.
Steering, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2022
I noticed that my car was pulling heavy to the left when I stop and strange noise in the rear of the car, after taking the car to the mechanic he told me that the car rear subframe on my 2013 Mercedes Benz c300 was rotted, the control arm bracket completely broke off on the left side and the right side is also cracked. it appears that this is a common issue in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months, the dealer told me that the car has a rotted rear subframe problem and the subframe could break out in months.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2021
As I sat in my vehicle waiting for the traffic light. I felt a sudden hit on my head. At that moment I was confused, and thought someone had rear ended me. So like anybody would, I pulled over only to find out that the headrest on my 2013 Mercedes Benz C250 had came apart. It seems like the plastic inside tore apart from the springs causing pressure for it to deploy.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2021
DRIVING VEHICLE NORMALLY AND TURN THE WHEEL AND HEAR CLICKING SOUND FROM AROUND STEERING WHEEL. FRONT, DRIVERS AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND HORN NOR ANY CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL WORK AT ALL. ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED "FRONT LEFT MALFUNCTION, SERVICE REQUIRED" SYMBOL FOR AIRBAG DISPLAYED. TOOK VEHICLE TO MERCEDES OF PALM BEACH DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THEIR WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS MODEL. I MENTIONED CAMPAIGN 2017120024 (ELEC) CAMPAIGN DESC. 1709P46C62 (ELEC) AND THEY STATE NO OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPUTABLE ESTABLISHED MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS "NO COMMUNICATION WITH STEERING CONTROL MODULE" REPAIRMAN STATES THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AS THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND THE HORNS INABILITY TO FUNCTION PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM ALERTING ANY OTHER DRIVERS IF THEY STRAY FROM LANE, ARE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE, OR DISTRACTED AT A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2021
REAR SUB FRAME RUST DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER
Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2021
MERCEDES C300 SEDAN SUB FRAME HAS A HOLE AND IS BREAKING APART. IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND. I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS OCCURRING WITH OTHER OWNERS BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/MERCEDESBENZ/C300/SUSPENSION-PROBLEMS.PHP
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 21, 2020
I WAS ON THE 99 FREEWAY DRIVING NORMAL SPEED AND HIT BRAKES TO TAKE THE DENAIR EXIT. THE CAR SPED UP! LIKE TURBO POWER! THE SPEEDOMETER WAS AT 90 MPH AS I FLEW THROUGH A RED LIGHT AT TOP OF THE RAMP! I HAD TO CONTINUE DOWN RAMP BACK ON FREEWAY. PUSHING AND PUSHING ON BRAKES BUT NOTHING HAPPENED! NEXT RAMP WAS A BIT STEEPER , SO TRIED AGAIN TO SLOW CAR DOWN! IT STARTED TO SLOW AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AS IT CAME TO STOP AND I POWERED THE CAR OFF. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MERCEDES OF STOCKTON. AFTER THEIR REPAIR DEPARTMENT CHECKED MY CAR, THEY FOUND THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS BAD AND THE TURBO PIPE HOSE WAS TORN( DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR). I HAD PREVIOUSLY (2 MONTHS EARLIER)HAD MY CAR IN FOR COMPLETE CHECK UP BY THE STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA DEALERSHIP AND NOTHING WAS DETECTED. I FEEL THIS A SAFETY ISSUE! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! ALSO I BELIEVE THIS TO BE MANUFACTURE DEFAULT, THE COST TO FIX IS $2,400, AND I ALWAYS BRING MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVING. THANK YOU
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2020
THERE ARE 3 RECALLS REGARDING MY VEHICLE PER MERCEDES BENZ AND THEIR DATABASE ON THEIR WEBSITE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR STEERING COLUMN TO GET REPAIRED AND THE DEALER DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE RECALLS AND TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. THE DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DISABLED WITH A WARNING MESSAGES AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON. IT DISABLED MY HONK, VOLUME BUTTONS, I CANNOT SEE TIRE PRESSURE ON MY DASHBOARD OR HOW MUCH MILES THERE IS LEFT FOR GAS AND OTHER FEATURES. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE IS UNABLE TO FIX THE RECALL AND FOR ME TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY LET ME LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP WITH MY NEW BORN BABY AND TWO TODDLERS. I BEGGED THEM TO FIX IT AND CRIED SO MUCH SINCE I WAS SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE AWAY WITH THE PROBLEM LIKE THAT AND THEY STILL REFUSED TO DO SO. AFTER I CONTACTED MB CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY LOOKED INTO IT AND ALSO STATED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED FOR THE RECALL DUE TO NON MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. PLEASE HELP ME OUT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2019
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO ME OR MY CAR, BUT I AM CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY. IS THIS COMPLAINT FORM ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD AN ACCIDENT OR PASSED AWAY DUE TO THIS RECALL? THE RECALL IS OPEN AND PARTS AREN'T READY!? I AM TRYING TO SELL MY CAR DUE TO A FINANCIAL ISSUE/HARDSHIP. I NEED TO KNOW HOW YOU ARE GOING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM?
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2018
THE INSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE CAR BROKE. IT DOESN'T OPEN AND THOUGHT WAS EASY TO FIX. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD ME IT COST A $1,000.00 BECAUSE NEED A NEW PANEL. UNACCEPTABLE. LOOKING IN INTERNET, FIGURE OUT THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE'S A LOT OF CARS IN U.S. THIS REPRESENT A SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING BECAUSE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT INVOLVING FIRE YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND HAVE TO OPEN THE ELECTRIC WINDOW TO USE THE OUTSIDE HANDLE (YES, IT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE!) IF THE CAR IS WITHOUT POWER IN AN ACCIDENT, YOU CAN LOOSE YOUR LIFE IF FIRE IS INVOLVE. YOU SIMPLY ARE TRAPPED AND THE ONLY OPTION IS BREAKING THE WINDOW. I WROTE TO DAIMLER, MB U.S.A. AND GARAJE ISLA VERDE (OFFICIAL DEALER IN PUERTO RICO), AND IT JUST COST $1,000.00. MB U.S.A. REFERRED THE CASE TO GARAJE ISLA VERDE BUT THEY THREAT ME LIKE...NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. OK, I TOOK THE CAR AND START SEARCHING IN INTERNET. SURPRISINGLY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM! THEN I THOUGHT TO WRITE BECAUSE THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF MONEY, ALSO IS A MATTER OF THREATENING. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR. WE TOOK THE CAR THERE FOR LOOKING FOR THE COST OF FIXING THAT, PRICE OF FIXING A CRASH AT BACK BUMPER AND FOR GENERAL INSPECTIONS. WE LEFT THE CAR SEPTEMBER 11. WE CALLED AFTER 2 WEEKS. I PICKED THE CAR OCTOBER 19. THE SAFETY MATTER CONCERNS TO YOU, NOT WITH MY CAR, BUT WITH ALL THE CARS IN THE NATION. MAKE AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT THAT AND DECIDE IF IT PROCEED. MY BEST REGARDS AND THANKS. [XXX] RETIRED CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT. I JUST DID MY PART. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR