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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to immediately respond while turning the steering wheel. After stopping the vehicle and attempting to reverse, it was discovered that the front wheels would no longer turn while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V252000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 95,000.
- Springfield, MO, USA
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I needed new tires and the tire dealer reported that my subframe is rotted bilaterally. He suggested I do not invest in tires until it is replaced and to notify Mercedes as there may be a recall. This defect caused instability of the frame that secures the tires. The safety risk should go without saying. Any rotted structure that supports the car and/or secures the tires is an obvious safety risk. After reading the multiple complaints posted under -€œstructure-€ for this make and model, it appears that yes, this problem has been reproduced and confirmed by other owners and mechanics. I am presently picking up my car from the tire dealer and driving it directly to the Mercedes dealership-€¦so they will be aware and able to inspect it. There were no warnings or alerts that my subframe rotted. I do not believe this is something that could be measured with a sensor to trigger an alert electronically.
Car with just 130,000 miles needs significant subframe and related parts replaced. There are countless discussion boards of similar failures across Mercedes Benz car lines. The estimated cost of repairs at the dealership exceeds $5000 just for subframe work. When braking the car veers to the left and the right end tries to swing around. Again, this is noted on multiple discussion board. MB has consistently demonstrated negligence in addressing this as service advisers state this is not uncommon and is seen often. A recall/replacement is warranted.
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
I noticed that my car was pulling heavy to the left when I stop and strange noise in the rear of the car, after taking the car to the mechanic he told me that the car rear subframe on my 2013 Mercedes Benz c300 was rotted, the control arm bracket completely broke off on the left side and the right side is also cracked. it appears that this is a common issue in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months, the dealer told me that the car has a rotted rear subframe problem and the subframe could break out in months.
Sudden steering pull when braking. Mechanic found rotten left rear suspension cross member.part number 2043500141 Mechanic reports very Common issue with this model. Mercedes Benz is aware but will not repair or supply replacement parts. Note the replacement part is not available in US currently. Stuck with unsafe auto lacking support from Mercedes Benz. Some one is going to be injured / killed as the manufacturing defect shows rust failure from inside out and not detectable during routine maintenance. Hard braking pull is first indication that the defective part failed. Should this occur at highway speed the auto can flip resulting in major injury or death.
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
The subframe rotted out causing the lower control arm bracket to detach from the frame. This has caused loss of control of the back left wheel and causes the car to shake and swerve when braking. This exact issue has led to recall in Canada. First noticed due to a squeaking and clunking sound. Later on the same day, I pressed the brakes on the highway and felt the described shaking/swerving. My mechanic has let me know that the car is now un-drivable due to the safety issue this causes. One of the rear subframe-€™s main purposes is to absorb and disperse impact. Not only have I entirely lost control of the rear left, but any crash that this could have led to could have been significantly more dangerous due to the failed subframe. As stated prior, this exact issue has led to recall in Canada and I believe that it should lead to recall in the USA as well.
Vehicle subframe has rusted through and parts of left rear suspension components are free, and one is about to poke a hole in the fuel tank. The right side is about to do the same. Everyone-€™s safety is at high risk with this problem. The car abruptly pulls to the left when applying the brakes as well as causing the car to shimmy on the interstate. I took it to my mechanic who to.d me what has happened, and I had it towed to the Mercedes dealership who confirmed the problem. When you search the internet you find a highly alarming number of people who have this same problem on 2009-2014 C300 models please do something before someone gets killed.
Vehicle completely shut down while traveling on interstate. Ignition switch malfunction and went dead, also steering column locked causing me to lose control of steering functions.
The electronic steering lock failed while in the parked position. A tiny motor inside has burned up and it now prevents you from starting the vehicle. The dealership will not sell me a replacement to repair on my own and I must take it in to them for repair at a cost of over $1800. This is a very common defect failure in this series of 2008 to 2014 Mercedes Benz. I have a 2005 Mercedes which does not have this problem with the unit and is operating correctly after 15 years.
There are 3 recalls regarding my vehicle per Mercedes Benz and their database on their website. I took my vehicle for steering column to get repaired and the dealer did nothing about it. They are refusing to fix the recalls and told me that my vehicle is not under the manufacturer warranty. The dashboard is completely disabled with a warning messages and airbag light on. It disabled my honk, volume buttons, I cannot see tire pressure on my dashboard or how much miles there is left for gas and other features. Service manager told me he is unable to fix the recall and for me to contact Mercedes Benz customer service. They let me leave the dealership with my new born baby and two toddlers. I begged them to fix it and cried so much since I was scared to death to drive away with the problem like that and they still refused to do so. After I contacted mb customer service they looked into it and also stated that my vehicle is not going to be fixed for the recall due to non manufacturer warranty. Please help me out.
I went to an authorized mb dealer and they did the recall for the steering column but not for the air bags. I also believe a recall should be made due to the fact that oil has siphoned its way up the cam magnets and solenoids thru the engine wiring harness to the main fuel computer and has caused the engine to be out of timing. According to your authorized dealership's tech this could cause the engine to seize. According to research this is a known defect with recalls for other engines but is still happening on numerous Mercedes Benz vehicles.
There has been no repairs for this recall that is a life threatening safety hazard. I have contacted the manufacture and they have stated they do not have the parts to fix this. I have my family that rides in this car everyday. This needs to be fixed or buy back the car from me.
I received a recall inovember 2017 and am unable to get mb to make an appointment to fix an insufficient grounding component in the steering wheel which may causes an electrostatic discharge which deploys the takata airbag with resultant accident occurrence. I am in fear when driving. Mb has not responded to my request. They have not provided me with a safe car; they have ignored requests; they have given no answer to my letter and phone calls to CEO exler in atlanta or any person in manhattan main office. They have devalued the worth of my car if I tried to sell it. They have ripped off the system, while spending millions on marketing. Cars they produced for 2018 were sold with recalls. There are millions on the road from 2012 through 2018 that I have found so far from government published lists of recalled Mercedes Benz models. When will I learn there are accidents already caused by these recall failures" millions will be spent for hush money to the media, but no money for recall correction.I have serviced my car per manual direction, and prior to recall had extended my warranty by two years to the tune of $2800+++ will you answer this complaint? should all of us so affected hold our breaths"
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fort Worth, TX, USA