Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 300 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
My 2012 c300 has a rotted rear subframe making the car not able to be driven. It has major ,life threatening, costly damage and this issue already has a recall all over the world but not in the United States. If I can get the assistance to pay this repair, it will be gladly appreciated.
Rear Sub Frame Assembly failure. It is available for inspection upon request. Vehicle rear end begins to wobble at speeds above 40 mph. The issue causes steering to become more complicated and the vehicle veers sharply while braking. This issue makes all C Class vehicles with this Sub Frame Assembly extremely unsafe, especially at highway speeds. Vehicle has been inspected by the authorized Mercedes Benz dealership in Indianapolis, IN. Service Advisor stated it's "amazing" that there hasn't been a recall issued yet. Based on this body style there have been roughly 320,000 of these C-Class vehicles sold. If the NHTSA truly cares about safety, they will launch an investigation into this matter. There are no warning lamps or messages that appear prior to this failure.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start-up as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty steering column sensor that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,692.
Dealer states that the rear subframe has rusted and degraded to the point of requiring full replacement. The car is 10 years old with 98,000 miles on the odometer. This is premature degradation of an essential component.
I drove over an object on the highway and noticed my car veering left and wobbly when turning. A week after, it is squealing like a load of piglets in my trunk whenever I go over a bump, then my battery light came on and I took it to the shop and contacted my insurance, who denied my claim saying it was 'wear and tear'.
While driving, engine stopped, could not steer.. Looks like a defective Electronic Ignition Switch or steering lock! It seems to be a common problem on these cars!!! The car would not start. After 8 attempts, I was able to start car but was afraid to drive it. Could have been a disaster.
THE REAR SUBFRAME HAS CORRODED AROUND THE AREAS WHERE THE TRAILING ARM AND CONTROL ARM MEET THE SUBFRAME ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAS DISINTEGRATED AROUND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM CAUSING IT TO HAVE DETACHED, ALONG WITH A PIECE OF THE SUBFRAME. THE METAL OF THE SUBFRAME IS DISTORTED AROUND THE AREA OF THE BREAK. THE DETACHED TRAILING ARM AND PIECE OF SUBFRAME ARE NOW MAKING CONTACT WITH THE FUEL TANK AS WELL. THE FUEL TANK COULD HAVE EASILY RUPTURED AND IGNITED WHEN THIS CAR WAS STILL IN OPERATION, AS THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED. THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHEN COMING TO A GENTLE STOP FROM 20-30 MILES PER HOUR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. THERE WAS A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR. THIS CAR HAD 92,000 MILES AT TIME OF THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED, EXCLUSIVELY AT MERCEDES-BENZ. MERCEDES-BENZ USA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THIS EXACT ISSUE HAS LED TO A RECALL OF THE SAME MODEL IN CANADA, AND THERE ARE COUNTLESS NHTSA REPORTS DESCRIBING SIMILAR STRUCTURAL FAILURES. MERCEDES-BENZ USA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND IS ALSO AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN CANADA, BUT HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT GOODWILL WILL NOT BE EXTENDED.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK AFTER VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN. WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE VEHICLE INSERT THE KEY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, SPEEDO, STEERING WHEEL IS UNRESPONSIVE WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN THE ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IT'S A ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK THAT FAILS ON SEVERAL MERCEDES BENZ CAUSING THE OWNER TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A 2,000 DOLLAR REPAIR. IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FAILS.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .