16 of the
342 complaints about the 2013 Mercedes Benz C300 are about the
braking system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
35,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle felt like it had shifted sideways. The contact stated that it seemed as if the steering wheel and the front driver's seat had shifted. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk latch was enabled; however the trunk failed to open or close. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed subframe and brake line. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not being released because the vehicle was deemed unsafe. The contact was informed that the subframe repair was covered under an unknown recall repair. The contact requested a quote for the additional repair. The dealer then requested that the contact remove the vehicle from the dealer lot. The vehicle was towed to an alternative dealer. The contact was disabled and was without transportation. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 47,574.
NHTSA complaint #11757525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carmel, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11614928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11596919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,032 milesPooler, GACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 complaint #11578340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falls Church, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11561434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11496018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11491771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11486195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmwood Park, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
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!
NHTSA complaint #11481341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mahwah, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
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
NHTSA complaint #11458444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
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
NHTSA complaint #11449416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,800 milesCincinnati, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11438638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 milesRaleigh, NCCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
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?
NHTSA complaint #11019536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesDunn, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #10926253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesChicago, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #10888183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesRinggold, GACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10849871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.