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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,446 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 Owner Comments

problem #13

Jun 262024

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Worcester , MA, USA

problem #12

Dec 192023

C300

  • miles
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.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #11

Dec 052022

C300 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
Discovered a severely "rotted/rusted" rear subframe and one of the passenger side suspension/control arm of the rear passenger side wheel is completely "detached/disconnected" from the rear subframe. During a hard brake, the car will "swing/drift" to the right and is very dangerous and prone to accident/catastrophe. Also, many other 2008-2014 C300 owners already have reported/complaints over the internet. This defect needs to be recalled by the manufacturer. The contact paid for the replacement and service repair of the rear subframe. The contact was informed by a technician that the detached rear control arm may "puncture" the gas tank because of how close it is to it. The vehicle is not recommended to be driven until the repair is made.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #10

Oct 292022

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While my car was being inspected at the Mercedes dealer from who I purchased the car, I was informed that the rear subframe was rusting out, needed to be replaced immediately (at the cost of $4250) as it is unsafe to drive and that the result could be catastrophic if I continued to drive it. They explained that they are having this problem with other C300 models in the US, Canada and Germany, but there has not been a recall in the USA. They told me that it might be the road salt as this is only happening in the North East. If this were true than I would think other parts of the undercarriage would be rusted or this would occur in other models too. They are well aware of this issue but have neglected to contact owners therefore putting my life and the life of my family at risk. The NHTSA needs to investigate and recall these vehicles immediately before someone is killed. Seems to me they are using sub standard materials and while having knowledge of this issue, should be held accountable. Thank You.

- Bristol, PA, USA

problem #9

Sep 192022

C300

  • miles
Rear subframe of vehicle rusted under regular use conditions and the left trailing arm mount broke off as a result. This caused vehicle braking to become extremely unstable and dangerous, even at low/medium speed. This is a known problem from this manufacturer and the Fed government should take action to force recall.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #8

Aug 222022

C300

  • miles
The rear subframe on the car is completely rusted. I get an oil change and a inspection of the car done at the dealer each year. Nobody mentioned to me that the rear subframe is rusted and is about to crack and fall apart. Was driving home from work when I suddenly had to stop and the whole car shifted to the right almost causing me to crash. Drove home and noticed a noise every time I hit the brakes. The next day took it to a mechanic and he showed me that the subframe cracked and fell apart. I know this is a big issue in europe and the dealers change it free of charge since it is on a recall, but nothing in the usa after several complaints from drivers. Do something about this!

- Elmwood Park , IL, USA

problem #7

Feb 222022

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving normal highway speed and braking suddenly the car violently pulls to left. Same occurs when driving normal city traffic. Good afternoon I am following up on a major safety issue #11453988 concerning a 2013 C300 Mercedes. I reported this a few weeks ago as this safety defect can cause personnel injury when the defective part fails. As noted earlier during normal braking the car pulls hard to left or right. With normal highway speed driving and emergency braking the car will violently pull left or right possibility into oncoming traffic and or fixed objects. Please reply with update into this major safety defect concern. PS the part number in question has been changed from number 2043500141 with new number 2073509702. This part is not available in the US currently and has a lead time of 30 days from Germany. With the long lead time and the need to travel to work it is a major safety issue that can be avoided. Thanks George

- Mahwah, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jan 292022

C300

  • miles
I-??ve had 2 c300 Mercedes models in the past 8 months both used and were driving fine until rain water and car washes caused electrical damage there is a water leaking issue that goes into the floorbeds of the vehicle that causes the car to malfunction

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #5

Oct 172021

C300

  • 99,800 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, she started to hear an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her residence however while depressing the brake pedal the vehicle was pulling to the left. The contact continued driving to her residence. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver-??s side rear axle and brake line was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800.

- Cincinnati, KY, USA

problem #4

Sep 122016

C300

  • 19,000 miles
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?

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #3

Oct 202016

C300

  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving approximately 55 mph and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal traveled to the floor and the vehicle failed to stop. In order to stop the vehicle, the contact had to wait until the vehicle came to a stop and then turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- Dunn, NC, USA

problem #2

Jul 222016

C300

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a fence. The air bags failed to deploy. As a result, a police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was able to be driven from the scene. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1

Mar 152016

C300

  • 22,000 miles
While making a right turn into a parking lot at low speed accelerator pedal not depressed the vehicle suddenly accelerated. When brakes were depressed they failed and did not stop nor slow the vehicle. Car crashed into the building. Air bags additionally did not deploy as car hit building in corner at center of front. Minor injury to driver from seat belt restraint.

- Ringgold, GA, USA

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