Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 reliable?

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 has 346 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (163 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (48 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (29 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250?

No recalls have been issued for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250?

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Mercedes-Benz C250

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 has 346 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 317. The most common issue is air bags problems (47% of all complaints), specifically: head on collision with another vehicle and the front end of a brand new 2013 mercedes c class was destroyed. vehicle was less than a month old. airbags did not deploy and i wonder how that could be when the entire front end of the vehicle was smashed in. mercedes pride their vehicles on safety and i. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.

10 fire reports 16 crash reports 25 injuries

346

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

163 complaints

47%

• HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END OF A BRAND NEW 2013 MERCEDES C CLASS WAS DESTROYED. VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN A MONTH OLD. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WONDER HOW THAT COULD BE WHEN THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED IN. MERCEDES PRIDE THEIR VEHICLES ON SAFETY AND I
• I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING IN MY 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE BACK SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALL OF THE SUDDEN NOW STATES IT IS OFF. *TR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 11 crashes

“HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END OF A BRAND NEW 2013 MERCEDES C CLASS WAS DESTROYED. VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN A MONTH OLD. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WONDER HOW THAT COULD BE WHEN THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED IN. MERCEDES PRIDE THEIR VEHICLES ON SAFETY AND I”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250

Based on 149 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 58K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Earlier than typicalmedian 55K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 58K mi · 32 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 69K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 62K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz C250 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 155K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

4 yr / 50K mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2013 C250, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 346 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END OF A BRAND NEW 2013 MERCEDES C CLASS WAS DESTROYED. VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN A MONTH OLD. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WONDER HOW THAT COULD BE WHEN THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED IN. MERCEDES PRIDE THEIR VEHICLES ON SAFETY AND I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C-250 TURBBO CHARGED ENGINE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATION AND VEHICLE STALLING ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, AND THEN ATTEMPT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT AFTER THE TURN, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO STALL,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A SLIGHT ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I HEARD AND EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY A RAIN SOUND, MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND THE GLASS CAN BACK DOWN. NOTHING HIT THE SUN ROOF, THE GLASS WAS POINTING OUT, IT ACTUALLY EXPLODED. AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND THIS IS COMMON IN MERCEDES AND I HAD NO IDEA THAT SOMETHING LIKE TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)