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6.0

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,439 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #61

Feb 272024

C300

  • miles

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

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.

- Garnerville , NY, USA

problem #60

Oct 052022

C300

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

- Neenah, WI, USA

problem #59

Nov 242023

C300

  • miles
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.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #58

Aug 312023

C300

  • miles

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

Excessive rust has caused a separation of the lower control arm from the rear sub frame. From Google searches this appears to be a common safety defect in the manufacturing of these vehicles. Control arm separation causes drive ability and stability issues that can lead to loss of control of said vehicle leading to accidents that can cause serious bodily injuries including death. Why hasn't Mercedes been forced to recall the affected vehicles in the United States as they have been in several other countries?

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #57

Jul 312023

C300

  • miles
Rear subframe rust through, affecting the function of control arm. When braking mildly caused the forward motion of vehicle to swerve into oncoming traffic. It has been reported and is in their possession. There was a small clicking noise like a possible loose shock absorber, a few times in the past month. Then two days ago, the sound became stronger including a clicking noise like two pieces of sheet metal torn passing each other. Upon personal inspection I found severe rust through on the subframe on the left side in front of the left drivers side rear tire. Corporate has sent a letter extending the warranty for that part. Photos can be provided.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

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problem #56

Jun 222023

C300

  • miles
Rear Control Arm Broke off of the rusted Rear Sub Frame assembly which was confirmed and inspected by my mechanic.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

problem #55

Oct 122022

C300 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Purchased said vehicle from Rahal Mercedes Benz (Wexford PA 15090) in 9/2021. Used. Took in for PA inspection in 10/2022 (to Rahal service dept). Mechanic noticed rear subframe was rusting (I was not aware of this until this point; was never disclosed to me by Rahal in their printed pre inspection vehicle repost; I have this document). Told me would need re-placed sometime in 2023. Never mentioned a recall. I have not received any recall. Prove from MB. Conversation with said mechanics e railed I would have to pay for this repair out of pocket. This is a major safety issue. MN should 100% cover the cost/all costs of the subframe and any issues caused by said subframe.

- Conway , PA, USA

problem #54

Mar 212023

C300

  • miles
Car wouldn't pass inspection because of a rotted subframe. I had to pay $3k to have it replaced.

- Rochester, NH, USA

problem #53

Mar 112023

C300

  • miles
Car was garage kept and in mint condition, yet the rear subframe has completely rusted through and while breaking the car lurches to the right. Also the breaking performance is noticeably impaired. There was no signs of this failure as the car still looks new, only way of knowing was the near crash while driving and trying to stop.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #52

Feb 142023

C300

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at high speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the rear suspension was unstable and felt loose. The contact pulled to the side of the road before continuing to drive. The contact notified an independent mechanic of the failure and was informed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was notified of the failure through voicemail. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure was approximately 80,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #51

Oct 152022

C300

  • 160,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered that the rear suspension cross member was fractured due to severe rust. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who confirmed the failure, but no repair was performed. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #50

Nov 102022

C300

  • miles
Hi I was driving my car on the highway and starting feeling the car swaying. I got really scared and took side blocks home. I thought maybe it was air in the tires or a flat. When I got out to look no flat tires were fine. Then I started hearing like a cracking sound the next day and started smelling gas. I took the car to my mechanic and he said bad news the subframe is rotted out and do no drive this car. I could not believe my ears. He said lets see how much to fix it. He later called me back and said 7-11 month wait for the part. I said whattttttt. He said Mercedes said it-??S a commom problem. They have a lot on back order. How could Mercedes know this and take a chamce on having cars like this on the road. Someone can get killed. I did some investigating and its all over with so many many cars. How can they not have a recall on this. God forbid someone gets hurt bad or dies. I found it it-??S a recall in Canada and europe. Come on guys whats up?. this is not fair. Its only a matter of time before something happens so you have to recall. Please let me know. I cannot not have a car to drive this is insane. I will look other ways to try to fix but come on you guys are Mercedes Benz I have had about 5 of them!!!!!!! Mercedes does not respond. I paid to fix it on my own because I need a car. This is real bad and its a recall all over but the us I paid to fix it as the part is on backorder and I got lucky someone canceled the order. I would like to get reimbursted

- Dix Hills, NY, USA

problem #49

Feb 032023

C300

  • miles
Rear Subframe control arm broken and rusty and dangerously to drive and Mercedes refused to make it as recall.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #48

Jan 282023

C300

  • miles
When breaking at high speeds, the car feels like I will lose control of it. Has happened a few times and I thought I was going to hit the neighboring car. Took it to a repair shop and found out that the rear driver side subframe Is completely rotted out and the rear control arm is hanging. The car only has about 97,500 miles on it, has not been driven in high salt areas, and doesn-??t have any other signs of rust. Two auto body shops have told me this shouldn-??t happen on a car with that low mileage, and these cars, Mercedes c300s, are known to have this defect.

- Fair Lawn, NJ, USA

problem #47

Jan 242023

C300

  • miles
Bought a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 4matic on 1/16/23 with only 80k miles. Alignment was off so took it to local Mercedes dealer today on 1/24/23. They advice that the subframe was rusted and not safe to drive, they are keeping it overnight to take a closer look and evaluate. Looked into it and found this is a common issue, experienced by many all over the world. UK has rust protection so they can get it replaced for no extra cost. Why do we have to pay out of pocket? Also did buy the Carfax and showed clean with no issue found before purchasing the vehicle.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #46

Jan 172023

C300

  • miles
I was driving on the highway and had to hard brake when traffic slowed down quickly. My car was all over the road swerving and I am very lucky I wasn't killed. Come to find out the rear subframe had completely rusted out. I have since found out that this is a very well known issue with Mercedes that they have refused to do anything about. I am sure there have been people killed because of this. This vehicle had been at the dealer the week prior and had the rear brakes replaced. They said they did not notice that the subframe was rusting through at that time because it rusted from the inside out so it's not something that would be noticed until it completely rusted out, which in my case was on the highway. This is outrageous that Mercedes is getting away with ignoring this very well known safety issue.

- Carver, MA, USA

problem #45

Dec 142022

C300 6-cyl

  • miles
There is a defect in the subframe of the vehicle which causes it to corrode and rust out. Apparently, this is a known issue with certain years and models, and has already been recalled in Europe, but not the US.

- Hingham, MA, USA

problem #44

Jul 302022

C300

  • miles
while driving in an emergency braking situation the car went left...so much so i lost control and spun 360 degrees. i thought that wasnt rite...upon investigation it turns out the right rear torque arm was no longer connected..the cradle or sub frame. it was rotted thru causing the arm to break off !!....car is not drivable and mercedes wont repair it... someone is going to get killed if it hasnt happened already !!

- Leesburg, FL, USA

problem #43

Nov 022022

C300

  • miles
Went to brake, heard a thump, car proceeded to loose control bearing to the left. Then went into other lane! Could not regain control of the car until it came to a complete stop. No warning light came on, . Took to mechanic, put it on the lift found rear right side of the frame rotted. This car is garage kept, nothing else is rusted on the vehicle. The vehicle is not near any water. This a known problem with this model Mercedes. Spoke with Mercedes Benz USA, was advised not to drive the car, the frame could detach and puncture gas tank!! I have seen the recall for the problem in Canada and Europe and the repairs were covered by Mercedes. Now I have my only mode of transpiration, undriveable and sitting waiting on help!!

- East Hanover, NJ, USA

problem #42

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

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