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.
Suspension, Aug 3, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 30 mph, she was depressing the brake pedal and the rear side of the vehicle shifted to the left independently, causing to impact with another vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable and the driver was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed the sub frame was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 2, 2022
intermittently the idle will vibrate the car and acceleration will quit and sputter. Very dangerous in many conditions. cannot drive car safely.
Structure, Jul 25, 2022
I noticed my Mercedes 2013 C300 (approx 89,000 miles) was acting peculiar when braking, it basically fishtailed like i was on ice, especially at a high speed on the interstate. It was very scary. It was also making clunking noises and did not handle on curves very well. Brought it to a local garage as the nearest dealer is over an hour away. Found out the rear subframe is broken on the rear passenger side and the other side very close to breaking. Not only that, but when I called a garage that specializes in German cars, he immediately guessed it was a C Class Mercedes, and when I googled it, this issue came up repeatedly. How this has not been addressed by Mercedes is beyond me, will it take a horrendous crash? Because I was almost a statistic. No warning lamps or messages. This design flaw needs addressed immediately. And now I have no vehicle as it is UNSAFE to drive and will cost me around $3,000 to fix IF they can get the part. Sent an email to Mercedes Benz, they advised recalls and service campaigns are VIN specific and to contact NHTSA. And the email closed with "Best wishes for safe and pleasant driving."
Suspension, Structure, Jul 19, 2022
So I took my car to get new tires and the tech told me that my rear subfram was rusted and cracked ,unsafe to drive . I called mercedes and they asked to take it to the dealership and get a quote. I did this and there response was to do nothing .this issue has been recalled in Germany and also Canada. But nothing done in United States. This is a serious safety issue .let's say I never got my tires and never found out and was traveling 70mph down the freeway and had to hit the brakes hard for whatever reason and this part fails and breaks. Everyone in my car and whoever else my car collides into life's would most definitely be in danger
Steering, Jul 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to immediately respond while turning the steering wheel. After stopping the vehicle and attempting to reverse, it was discovered that the front wheels would no longer turn while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V252000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Air bags, Jul 11, 2022
2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKTA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT GETTING IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED OR, PICKED UP BY THE DEALER, DUE TO HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES.
Suspension, Jul 10, 2022
The driver side suspension mount to the rear subframe has rusted through. While applying the brakes the car pulled radically to the left almost causing me to lose control. This is a known issue from what I can determine but Mercedes has refused to issue a recall. The car cannot be driven until this is fixed.
Suspension, Jul 8, 2022
The item that has failed is the rear subframe of the vehicle. It is available to be viewed. It is still on my car, as it has not yet been replaced due to the cost. When braking, the front of the car will pull left and back feels like it is pulling to the right, as if you are spinning out. The problem is that the subframe is rusted out at under 100,000 miles. I just hit 100,000 and it has already broke completely. I was told by the dealership that this is a safety concern where the back of the vehicle could fall off, there words, not mine. I have been in contact with Mercedes Benz corporate and they said since I am past 50,000 miles, there is nothing they can do. There were no safety warnings, recalls or lights in the car that has given me any indication there was a problem until it broke and I felt it during breaking. This issue seems to have happened to many individuals driving the Mercedes C300, as it is not just a small number. Currently, MB has this backordered due to the number of cases. They should be responsible for a recall for the price paid for their vehicles.
Suspension, Jul 6, 2022
Vehicle is 9 years old with 69825 miles and the Rear drivers side Subframe rusted out and broke off the vehicle. This is a common problem and is a recall in both Europe and Canada and needs to be recalled in America, this is very dangerous and life threatening as I googled and there are hundred similar stories.
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.
Suspension, Jun 30, 2022
2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO A HAZARDOUS DEFECT IN THE REAR SUBFRAME. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S AC COMPRESSOR WAS FAULTY. THE CONSUMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SUBFRAME AND AC REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
Structure, Jun 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been serviced by an independent mechanic for brake pads and rotor replacement; however, the failure recurred with noises coming from the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Suspension, Jun 29, 2022
My Mercedes C300, 2013, 46,123 miles has 2 holes in rear sun frame, rendering it unsafe to drive. Dealership and MB will not acknowledge this is a common problem with this make/model. Recall for very same problem in Canada & other nations has been issued but not in USA. Dangerous situation!!! $5,200 to repair! On a premium brand auto with less than 50,000 miles. Please help!
Suspension, Jun 27, 2022
Vehicle inspection during oil change has revealed that the vehicle has a broken rear subframe. Apparently this is a common problem in Mercedes C300 vehicles, which are subject to recall for this issue in Germany and Canada. Vehicle report here (with video of broken subframe): https://xoxocar.com/inspection.aspx?inspectionid=9e225031-77b5-4304-8ec1-a10c859b90f0&print=true
Steering, Wheels, Jun 27, 2022
I needed new tires and the tire dealer reported that my subframe is rotted bilaterally. He suggested I do not invest in tires until it is replaced and to notify Mercedes as there may be a recall. This defect caused instability of the frame that secures the tires. The safety risk should go without saying. Any rotted structure that supports the car and/or secures the tires is an obvious safety risk. After reading the multiple complaints posted under “structure” for this make and model, it appears that yes, this problem has been reproduced and confirmed by other owners and mechanics. I am presently picking up my car from the tire dealer and driving it directly to the Mercedes dealership…so they will be aware and able to inspect it. There were no warnings or alerts that my subframe rotted. I do not believe this is something that could be measured with a sensor to trigger an alert electronically.
Steering, Suspension, Jun 21, 2022
Car with just 130,000 miles needs significant subframe and related parts replaced. There are countless discussion boards of similar failures across Mercedes Benz car lines. The estimated cost of repairs at the dealership exceeds $5000 just for subframe work. When braking the car veers to the left and the right end tries to swing around. Again, this is noted on multiple discussion board. MB has consistently demonstrated negligence in addressing this as service advisers state this is not uncommon and is seen often. A recall/replacement is warranted.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,775.
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, Jun 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a thumping noise from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and checked underneath the vehicle and saw that the rear of the vehicle was sitting on the fuel tank. The contact was able to drive home safely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a severely rusted rear sub-frame. The contact was informed that the rear sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,300.
Structure, May 31, 2022
Subframe cracked while driving vehicle and began to sway in the rear very badly.
Air bags, May 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the driver’s side air bags were inadvertently deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Suspension, May 25, 2022
My rear sub frame is rusted and unsafe to drive.. There seems to be a recall in Canada (I think) but not in the US. this is an unsafe issue that needs to be fixed. All local repair shops are aware of these and have several that need repaired as well.
Structure, May 21, 2022
Started noticing strange chassis behavior when braking. Braking hard would result in car leaning left, then leaning right when foot taken off the brake. Car appeared to "sway" on braking. Hard to control direction of vehicle on braking. Consulted local mechanic who put the car up on a lift. Discovered rotten rear subframe on left side. No substantial rust or rot on any other structural components. Looked into this issue online; no recall discovered. Found multiple instances of this rear subframe rot occurring to other owners of similar-year C300s who were then also quoted thousands of dollars in repairs. Car is not safe to drive until the subframe is replaced. The wrong pothole could cause the rotten rear subframe to snap and potentially cause more damage to the vehicle and injury to the driver and others. No warning lamps or other system messages to warn of this problem. A safety inspection performed at an authorized Mercedes-Benz service center on February 22, 2021 found no issues with the vehicle.
Suspension, May 16, 2022
2013 Mercedes Benz C300 4dr AWD. Corrosion of Rear Sub-Frame (aka "Rear Axle Carrier" or "Suspension Cross Member") (New Part #: 207-350-97-02. Old Part #: 204-350-01-41 + other numbers). Car experienced erratic behavior under all braking scenarios. Extremely dangerous behavior under heavy breaking (65 mph to 25 mph). Life threatening severity of issue. 2 personal experiences. 1: Stopping at a yellow light in a quick fashion (55-0 mph, no abs required), car pulled hard to left and almost pulled me into curbing on left hand side. It felt like the rear end was on ice and was going to do a 180 partial spin. 2: Pulling off a highway into a turning lane and braked hard to slow down for right hand turn (65-15 mph). Car pulled about 8 feet left and almost put me back into full speed traffic. Same uncontrollable "on ice" feeling. I was on a road trip and had car towed to independent mechanic in the town I was visiting. He found holes throughout rear sub-frame member on drivers side and passenger side. Mounting points for suspension components were not structurally sound. He said I was lucky the control arm didn't break loose and puncture the gas tank. Corrosion was limited to sub-frame. The rest of car was "Nearly Perfect" in the words of the mechanic. Called Mercedes Corporate and they advised towing car to local MB dealer for inspection. MB Lancaster determined car was unsafe to drive. I am currently pursuing a good will repair case that has been initially denied. Parts are back ordered for 10+ weeks. I've called several dealers to source the part and nearly dealers have orders placed to Germany for these sub frames. Repair + alignment is approximately 4k USD. In 2018, Mercedes has issued Official Service Information Supplemental Notes (SI35.00-P0009A) to technicians to look for premature corrosion issues. This is free of charge replacement in UK and Germany already and a recall in Canada. US needs to catch up quick before death occurs.
Structure, Apr 27, 2022
Rusting subframe to point of hole thru rust be leaf rear wheel/tire area. Garaged daily since purchased 2013. Reside in Ohio. Approx 80k miles.