2013 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11719825

Incident

Oct 21, 2024

I had just gotten off the highway it was a rainy day and pulled into my driveway when airbag deployed on its own. I am lucky to be alive. I purchased this vehicle about 2 yrs or so ago and ran carfax that showed recall was fixed by manufacturer. I contacted Mercedes corporate office and it’s been almost two weeks with me calling and emailing w no call backs or any resolution. I don’t have a car and could have been seriously injured. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11696593

Incident

Oct 19, 2025

Vehicle Information: Year: 2013 Make: Mercedes-Benz Model: C300 (4MATIC) Approximate Mileage: 126,026 Component: Latches/Locks/Linkages – Interior Door Handle Summary of Issue: On October 10, 2025, the interior driver-side door handle on my 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 broke, making it impossible to open the driver’s door from the inside. The handle broke through normal use upon trying to open the car door from the drivers side. The only way to exit the vehicle now is to roll down the window and reach around to use the exterior handle. On October 14, 2025, I spoke to two Mercedes-Benz dealerships in my area. They both confirmed this is a recurring problem on this model but stated there is no recall. One of them physically inspected the vehicle door problem. I believe the actual broken replacement part costs about $50. However, according to these same authorized Mercedes Benz repair shops I spoke to, Mercedes-Benz REQUIRES replacing the entire door panel assembly, which costs between $950 and $1,480 in labor and parts. This is not a reasonable or safe solution for such a critical component. This poses a serious safety hazard. In the event of a fire, collision, electrical failure, or if the windows become inoperable, the driver (myself) could become trapped inside the vehicle, leading to potential injury or death! I strongly urge the NHTSA to investigate this recurring defect, as it directly affects occupant safety and the ability to exit the vehicle in an emergency. Universal Imports, Rochester, NY – Inspected and confirmed recurring problem, no recall, verbal repair estimate $950, and Mercedes‑Benz of Rochester (West Herr Automotive), NY] – Confirmed recurring problem, verbal repair estimate $1480 Requested Action: Please investigate whether this defect warrants a safety recall or mandatory manufacturer repair campaign. The interior door handle failure on Mercedes-Benz C-Class vehicles represents a clear safety risk to occupants.

NHTSA ID

11695491

Incident

Oct 10, 2025

The interior door handle of the driver's side door snapped, which does not allow the driver to open the door at all. In the event of a crash, fire, or emergency, the door can only be opened from the exterior. This is a widespread issue with this model of car, which Mercedes-Benz is very aware of. There are hundreds of videos and online discussions of this common saferty issue that Mercedes refuses to make right. This is a risk for the safety of all drivers of these vehicles. The car has been inspected and confirmed by a MB dealer. There were no warning indications before or after this happened. Mercedes Benz wants $1200 to fix this obvious defect.

NHTSA ID

11681819

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that engine oil had traveled through the wiring harness causing the ECU to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover a portion of the repair cost. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11680900

Incident

Aug 7, 2025

Mileage

160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the timing chain tensioners were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had experienced the failure with the timing chain tensioner on three separate occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11662663

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

Mileage

60,000 mi

THIS IS THE SECOND TIMING CHAIN TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THAT HAS GONE BAD. EVEN THOUGHT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS REPORTED, MERCEDES WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A RECALL PROBLEM. MY SAFTY IS AT RISK IF MY ENGINE BECOMES DISABLED ON THE HYWAY.

NHTSA ID

11662655

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

Recently my Mercedes has been pulling and swaying to the side while breaking even at low speeds.Yesterday I got my 2 front tires replaced and asked them to take a look at what could be causing my rear end to pull.When I returned to pick up my car they informed me my rear subframe was completely decayed/rusted through and not safe to continue driving.

NHTSA ID

11652172

Incident

Mar 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started. The security alert warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the anti-theft module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired, and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11648959

Incident

Sep 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking after refueling. The fuel had leaked out to half tank. The Fire Department was called, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that there was a puddle of fuel in the driveway. Additionally, the passenger’s air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sensor in the module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the dealer confirmed that the leak was coming from the filler tube entering the fuel tank. The dealer recommended replacing the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11643606

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Mileage

90,000 mi

Fuel tank is leaking at connection between fill tube and tank. Multiple recalls have been issued apparently for similar problems with cars of other years. With less than 1/2 tank, the fuel leak is not as pronounced. With the tank full, the tank drips fuel. Fire department in Riverside was called and confirmed issue. Upon bringing vehicle to Clearwater Mercedes and other mechanics, the problem was confirmed. Dealership says that Mercedes Benz denies that the problem is theirs to resolve. Dealership fixed other issue that was not producing symptoms but stated that the cost to resolve was $5000.00 (about the value of the car at this point).

NHTSA ID

11643602

Incident

Dec 4, 2024

LEFT TAIL LIGHTS BURNING OUT DUE TO OVERHEATED WIRES

NHTSA ID

11643426

Incident

Feb 18, 2025

On several instances of breaking, my 2013 Mercedes Benz C300 pulls hard to the right and becomes very unstable. I assumed it was a brake problem by the way the car drove. I took it to my mechanic, who immediately identified the rear subframe had rusted so much that a control arm had broken loose from the subframe. The rear subframe acts as a foundation for the rear suspension and holds the backend together. Fortunately I was able to get this diagnosed prior to a serious accident. The car gets very unstable, especially at higher speeds, when braking. There are no warning lights that will catch this. This problem absolutely places both passengers and other cars on the road at risk of a collision when braking, especially on the highway at higher speeds. I am going to contact a local Mercedes Benz dealer to evaluate replacement of the damaged parts to ensure the car is safe to drive following repair. Based on the links below, it sounds like a known issue at Mercedes Benz. I was never notified of any issues or from prior service visits, or via mail notice from the manufacturer. My mechanic was shocked, to say the least. Hoping MB will take care of this dangerous problem without hassle. See: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11614928

Incident

Sep 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle pulled to the left before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the subframe was rusted and needed to be replaced; however, the Salvage Title voided the extended warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID

11607610

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

Mileage

82,000 mi

The Brake lines in this car rot very early in life span. This is a severe issue as no one would know unless car is brought in for repair. There is already a extended warranty for subframe rotting for my c300 and several other models and years . Both of these should be repaired due to poor manufacturing not just the subframe. Both of these issues even independently put everyone on the road at risk of potential failure. Car has been brought in for repair and has been pointed out to me both by independent party and Mercedes Benz dealership in my area. There are NO WARNINGS also multiple claims for both rusting and rotting

NHTSA ID

11596919

Incident

Jun 26, 2024

The driver side indoor handle keeps breaking. I have repaired mine 4 times but still keep breaking. The connector attached to the handle is so fragile it cant withstand regular use. why hasnt this been recalled by mercedes? One repair costs 1400 dollars.

NHTSA ID

11591772

Incident

May 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that while the vehicle was approaching a building ahead, she veered to the right and hit the front bumper of an occupied vehicle. The vehicle then drove over the sidewalk. The contact stated that while approaching the end of the sidewalk, she veered to the right and the vehicle stopped after approximately 200 feet. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision repair shop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,032.

NHTSA ID

11578340

Incident

Mar 15, 2024

Mileage

23,032 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the left aggressively. The vehicle was driven to the residence; however, while driving, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a severely corroded rear subframe and that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

NHTSA ID

11577135

Incident

Mar 7, 2024

Mileage

134,000 mi

Broke rear subframe while driving. Made it home discovered the left rear suspension is almost completely detached from the vehicle. Researched the problem and discovered it’s a known issue and a warranty extension has been provided for some vehicles including some models of my particular year and model but after contacting Mercedes is seems mine is not.

NHTSA ID

11574281

Incident

Feb 27, 2024

I bought this car new in 2013. I maintained it at the dealer as per MB recommendations. Last service was in August 2023. Currently had 42K miles on it. Two weeks ago 2 unknown to me lights came on and I took it to the dealer. The diagnosis was total failure due to oil leaking into the computer system. Second problem was water in the subfloor affecting sensors. Coons Mercedes in Catonsville, MD has all records. I was told that the oil leak was not detected because it was internal and due to an engine design. I was informed that there are many others stuck with this problem. I was informed that I was driving a car that could become suddenly uncontrollable. This was very scary. I was told I needed a new car. My insurance company inspected it and determined it was a total loss. I complained to MB headquarters and HQ in Stuttgart. I told them that they need to buy a new car for me. I have not heard from them. If MB know that there is an engine flaw why are they putting peoples' lives at risk?

NHTSA ID

11573646

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

Rear right side Subframe rusted and broke off. Vehicle pulled to the right while braking.

NHTSA ID

11567552

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

Drivers side lower control arm was rusted off rear subframe causing vehicle to be inoperable.

NHTSA ID

11565801

Incident

Oct 5, 2022

The ESP®, or Electronic Stability Control system can put the car into limp mode unexpectedly. Say you are driving on route 66 going 50 mph. The ESP system can turn off if a wheel speed sensor or yaw sensor is on the way out. This causes the car to suddenly dramatically brake and limit speed to 5 mph on the highway. Risk of high speed rear end collision and mortality to the driver.

NHTSA ID

11561434

Incident

Dec 19, 2023

The rear subframe is cracked. This puts myself at risk and others if vehicle is involved in an accident. The problem has been confirmed by two independent service dealers. The vehicle has only been inspected by independent dealers. No warning lights.

NHTSA ID

11557344

Incident

Nov 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light and the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated and then turned off independently. Additionally, the “Service Air Bags” message was displayed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall and that the front passenger’s side air bag was previously replaced. The failure mileage was 127,328.

NHTSA ID

11546944

Incident

Sep 27, 2023

Mileage

127,328 mi