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
573 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Nov 6, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ OF ALBUQUERQUE (8920 PAN AMERICAN FWY NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87113) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 2, 2017
RECEIVED A TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND LOOKED IT UP AND I HAVE A RECALL ON MY CAR. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER : 17V627 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 2017100005
Air bags, Nov 2, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" : I TRIED TO TAKE TO MERCEDES AND THEY DENIED FIXING MY ISSUE!
Steering, Air bags, Nov 2, 2017
CLICKING IN STEERING COLUMN. MERCEDES BENZ STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY . THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. I WAS PARKING. MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I STILL HEAR CLICKING WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL
Air bags, Nov 2, 2017
"TAKATA INFLATORS RECALL". I'VE CALLED LOCKEY MERCEDES BENZ IN CLEARWATER TWICE AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME MY CAR IS NOT IN THE LIST FOR THIS RECALL THAT I SHOULD NOT WORRY. I THINK THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AND THAT ITS AGAINST THE LAW. THEN I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ IN TAMPA AND I ALSO WENT THERE TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT. THEY SAID I AM IN THE RECALL LIST AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY CAN'T FIX IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART FOR IT. THEY ARE NOT EVEN OFFERING A LOANER. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR ANYMORE. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER CAR TO DRIVE. PLEASE CAN YOU TELL WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Air bags, Oct 31, 2017
HI TEAM, I HAVE GOT A AIR BAG RECALL FOR MY CAR WITH BELOW DETAILS. NAME [XXX] VIN NO [XXXXXX] CAR MERCEDES BENZ C250 2013 BUT MERCEDES IS SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION FOR THIS AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG. I HAVE CHECKED MY VIN NO IN THE WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV AND AS WELL AS WWW.AIRBAGRECALL.COM AND BOTH THE SITE IS CONFIRMED THAT MY AIRBAG SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MERCEDES. PLEASE HELP ME. ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
Air bags, Oct 31, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED THE INDICATOR LIGHT IN MY CAR THAT THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY DON'T HAVE THEM IN STOCK. I DRIVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR AND WE ARE ALL IN DANGER NOW. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?
Air bags, Oct 28, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I CALLED MY LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WHO STATED THAT IN THEIR SYSTEM I HAD NO AIR BAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I ENTERED MY VIN # ON THE AIRBAGRECAL WEBSITE IT SHOWED I DID? MERCEDES BENZ DEALER IS CLEARLY NOT CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY. REP TOLD ME THAT THE LETTER WAS SENT TO ALL OWNERS OF MERCEDES BENZ CARS AND THAT MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN RECALL? I DON'T AGREE WITH HER AND WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT DUE TO NON-ASSISTANCE AND NEGLIGENCE ON MERCEDES BENZ DEALER END FOR NOT LOOKING INTO MY VEHICLE MORE. THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG ISSUED A WARNING OF SAFETY SO I'M UNPLEASANTLY DISMAYED AT THE FACT THAT THE MERCEDES BENZ REP WOULD DISMISS MY CONCERN SO NONCHALANTLY TO DISCUSS A SOFTWARE UPDATE NOTICE SHE DID FIND IN HER SYSTEM WHICH I WAS DUE FOR? I CURRENTLY HAVE A AIRBAG LIGHT ON IN MY VEHICLE WHICH IS ALARMING AND WORRIES ME A BIT TO SAY THE LEAST. I WOULD LIKE SOME ACTION TO TAKE PLACE IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. THE DEALER SHOULD BE OFFERING TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER VEHICLES TO ENSURE AIRBAG IS NOT INSTALLED AND EVERYTHING IS OKAY?
Air bags, Oct 26, 2017
NO REMEDY FOR TANAKA RECALL
Air bags, Oct 26, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (STEERING). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (SCHUMACHER EUROPEAN, 18530 N. SCOTTSDALE ROAD, PHOENIX, AZ 85054) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED STEERING CAUSING AIRBAG FAILURE OR STEERING FAILURE. UPDATED 8/3/18*JB
Air bags, Oct 24, 2017
TAKATA RECALL CALLED HOY FOX FAMILY AUTO WHERE I PURCHASED AUTO AND HAVE HAS MAINTENANCE DONE BEFORE. MAINTENANCE SECTION STATED THEY ARE NOT YET AUTHORIZED TO REPLACE AIR BAGS AND WILL CALL LATER. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE AIRBAG RECALL WEB PAGE ATAKATA AIR BAGS NEED TO BE REPLACED FAST DUE TO POSSIBILITY OF DEATH IN MINOR CRASH.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2017
CAR ACCELERATED AFTER TAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO PARKING SPACE AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. CAR WENT OVER A BANK AND FINALLY STOPPED.
Steering, Oct 10, 2017
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS ALUMINUM TRIM WHICH IS PEELING OFF IT CUT MY FINGER. IT'S TOO THIN AND HAS SHARP EDGES. ASKED DEALER TO REPLACE IT BUT WAITING ON DEALER TO GET BACK TO ME. I AM INFORMING YOU BECAUSE I DID RESEARCH ON GOOGLE AND BUNCH OF PEOPLE HAD SAME ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2017
I HAD JUST ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AND LESS THAN A HALF A MILE FROM ENTERING THE HIGHWAY MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO CARS NEAR ME AND NO DEBRIS NEAR MY CAR. I CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY SEEM VERY UNCONCERNED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE, ALL OVER ME AND BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK SETS. I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MILES AND HOUR. AFTER GAINING CONTROL OF THE CAR I GOT OUT AND CALLED THE POLICE AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE.
Service brakes, Aug 25, 2017, crash
ON 09-12-16 I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION (35+ MPH). I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC (INTERSTATE HIGHWAY). MY VEHICLE WAS IN ECO MODE AND THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE HOLD FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED, THE BRAKE WAS FULLY ENGAGED/PRESSED, AND HOLD WAS DISPLAYED ON THE FORWARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WHILE STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK MY VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. MY VEHICLE'S NECK-PRO RETRAINT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE HAZARDS ACTIVATED. NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE BRAKE HOLD FEATURE DEACTIVATED AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL INTO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AFTER ACTIVELY PUMPING THE BRAKES, TO NO AVAIL, I INITIATED AN OFFENSIVE MANEUVER AND SWERVED THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO UNPAVED SIDE ROAD/SHOULDER. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD AND ONLY STOPPED AFTER I FULLY PRESSED/ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IS DEACTIVATING BRAKE HOLD IN A REAR END COLLISION A DESIGN FLAW, OR IS THIS THE INTENDED FUNCTION?
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2017
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DISENGAGED FROM CABLE. I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS INCIDENT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY AFFECT MY SAFETY, BUT I AM REPORTING THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I FORESEE A PROBLEM WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS FLIMSY DOOR OPENING SYSTEM. MY CAR IS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD AND IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND COULD NOT OPEN MY DOOR IMMEDIATELY, IT COULD SPELL TROUBLE. ANY NUMBER OF SCENARIOS COULD AFFECT A DRIVER WHO CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR WITHOUT BREAKING A WINDOW OR ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. I HAVE FOUND MANY BLOG POSTS OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH THEIR C250 SEDAN. .
Engine, Jun 26, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER, MERCEDES OF NAPERVILLE LOCATED AT 1569 OGDEN AVENUE NAPERVILLE, IL,60540, WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NO INJURIES WHERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE, THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS BEING DONE. THEY ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DEPENDING ON THE INVESTIGATION FURTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 12, 2017
THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING. WE WERE TRAVELING ~25 MPH DOWN A HILL AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AT RANDOM.
Electrical system, May 24, 2017
ALL OTHER .MODELS RECALLED FOR IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING LOCK. NOT THIS CAR. TOOK TO DEALER 128000 MILES AND MY EIS FAILED AND STEERING LOCK. IN ADDITION RECALLS ON AIRBAG BUT MERCEDES HAS NO PARTS TO FIX IT. THE REPAIR 1300.00$ .
Visibility, May 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT FOUND WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRAINAGE CHANNEL ON THE SUN ROOF WAS PLUGGED AND CAUSED WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,234. UPDATED 06/23/17*LJ *AS
Air bags, Seat belts, May 1, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, FLIPPED TWICE, AND CRASHED IN A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT SECURE BOTH THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER TIGHT ENOUGH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD. BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Seat belts, Apr 26, 2017, crash
INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION, WHICH TRIPPED ALL AIRBAG & SEAT BELT SENSORS. INCLUDING THE REAR SEAT BELTS, CAUSING THEM TO NOT LOCK IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, RENDERING THE REAR SEAT TO BE UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED EXCEPT FOR THE REAR SEAT CUSHION. THE BODY SHOP HAS HAD THE SEAT CUSHION, BUT REFUSED TO INSTALL UNTIL THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAYS AN ADDITION $2000.00. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 10/14/2016. I GOT THE CAR BACK ON 12/30/2017 WITH THE ORIGINAL REAR SEAT CUSHION INSTALLED. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 4 MONTHS NOW, AND, NOBODY IS WILLING TO ASSIST ME. I HOPE I HAVE NOT WASTED YOUR TIME WITH THIS, BUT, DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO
Power train, Apr 6, 2017
WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY MY MB C250 WITH 58K MILES SHIFTER SUDDENLY INTO 2ND GEAR. I MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED THE CAR. THE ENGINE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND AND THE CAR JULTED FORWARD. I SHIFT BACK IN PARK BUT IT REPEATED THE SOUND AND JERK. I I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AGAIN (SAME SOUND/JERK) AND PROCEDED AT 30MPH ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY TO A GERMAN AUTO REPAIR SHOP CLOSE BY. THEY CHECKED THE ENGINE CODES AND TOLD ME THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THAT ACCORDING TO THE COMBINATION OF CODES THAT EVERY MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO SPECIFIC REASON THIS WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FULL AND CLEAN AND THE ENGINE DIDNT HAVE ENOUGH MILES FOR SO MANY DIFFERENT PARTS TO HAVE WORN OUT YET. THEY ALSO SAID THEY TO RESET THE COMPUTER BUT THE CAR WENT BACK INTO "LIMP MODE" AND ALL CODES CAME BACK. THE TRANSMISSION COST PLUS LABOR IS $4150. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRENTEE. UPON INVESTIGATING THIS MODEL AND THE PERTICULAR TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR (221.9) I FOUND HUNDREDS OF OWNERS WITH THE 221.9 HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PUT IN MULTIPLE MB VEHICLES FOR THE PAST DECADE AND RANDOMLY OWNERS REPORT THIER CARS GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND NEEDING NEW TRANSMISSIONS. I BELIEVE MERCEDES HAS NEGLECTED TO RECALL THE PROBLEM BECCAUSE THAT TRANSMISSION IS USED IN SEVERAL MODELS FOR MANY YEARS AND THEY DO JOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MANY REPAIRS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP MB TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAULTY SYSTEM.