2013 Mercedes-Benz C300

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 has 340 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: the 'passenger airbag disabled' message comes on even if when there's an adult passenger in the front seat. i brought it to the dealer several weeks ago and am using a loaner, another 2013 c300, the message just appeared in the loaner as well, loaner has less than 1,000 miles the message appears r. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 11 crash reports 8 injuries

340

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

4.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

100 complaints

29%

• THE 'PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED' MESSAGE COMES ON EVEN IF WHEN THERE'S AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND AM USING A LOANER, ANOTHER 2013 C300, THE MESSAGE JUST APPEARED IN THE LOANER AS WELL, LOANER HAS LESS THAN 1,000 MILES THE MESSAGE APPEARS R
• PASSENGER AIRBAGS ENABLED THEN DISABLED JUST RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER SITTING WITH THE SEAT BELT CLICKED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF THEN AFTER FEW MILES SUDDENLY A MASSAGE IN THE DASHBOARD SAYING "AIRBAG NO
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE EXITING THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE OVER ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE BUILDING AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUIS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 5 crashes

“THE 'PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED' MESSAGE COMES ON EVEN IF WHEN THERE'S AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND AM USING A LOANER, ANOTHER 2013 C300, THE MESSAGE JUST APPEARED IN THE LOANER AS WELL, LOANER HAS LESS THAN 1,000 MILES THE MESSAGE APPEARS R”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

67 complaints

20%

• REAR SUB FRAME RUST DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER
• The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, his daughter lost control of the vehicle upon the depression of the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle would veer off the road without warning. His daughter had taken the veh
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“REAR SUB FRAME RUST DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

57 complaints

17%

• INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON DOORS, SPECIFICALLY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WILL BREAK, AND THE PERSON IS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER, BUT MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY HAS NOT PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESULTS. THE OWNERS HAVE TO
• THE REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH RISKING THE CONTROL ARMS FROM DETACHING FROM THE FRAME. THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE WITH THE RIGHT, REAR WHEEL AND CONTROL ARM FROM DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE.
• The Contact owns a 2013 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited a knocking sound and an abnormal vibration when driving. The Contact took the vehicle to the dealer for an inspection and the Dealer found the Sub Frame was corroded and had a hole. The dealer advised that the

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON DOORS, SPECIFICALLY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WILL BREAK, AND THE PERSON IS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER, BUT MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY HAS NOT PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESULTS. THE OWNERS HAVE TO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

26 complaints

• THE WELDS OF THE EXHAUST PIPES TO THE MUFFLER BROKE CAUSING THE MUFFLER TO SLIP OF THE PIPES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF ALL SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE PERFORM AND DRIVEN ONLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
• THE STEERING WHEEL HAS ALUMINUM TRIM WHICH IS PEELING OFF IT CUT MY FINGER. IT'S TOO THIN AND HAS SHARP EDGES. ASKED DEALER TO REPLACE IT BUT WAITING ON DEALER TO GET BACK TO ME. I AM INFORMING YOU BECAUSE I DID RESEARCH ON GOOGLE AND BUNCH OF PEOPLE HAD SAME ISSUE.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THE WELDS OF THE EXHAUST PIPES TO THE MUFFLER BROKE CAUSING THE MUFFLER TO SLIP OF THE PIPES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF ALL SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE PERFORM AND DRIVEN ONLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

19 complaints

• 2013 C300 4MATIC LUXURY MODEL. 1/26 - MY ENGINE STOP WHILE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT. (2ND TRIP OF THE DAY) IT'S NOT ECO STOP/START KIND OF STOP. THE CAR WON'T START WHEN I RELEASE MY BRAKE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AT DASH WERE ON. 1/29 - TODAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THIS MORNING THE ENGINE ST
• REAR FOG LIGHT NOT WORKING TOLD THERE IS ONLY A REAR DRIVERS SIDE FOG LIGHT? CONCERNED W THE PAST TRUNK FIRE ISSUES W LIGHTS. *TR
• I HAVE C 300 2013 MERCEDES WHICH BROKE MORE THAN 3 TIMES ( ALL WITHIN A YEAR, THIS IS A NEW CAR) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY TO A DRIVER. ACCELERATION DIMINISHED, BREAKS ARE NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING, WIND SHIELD WIPER DON'T WORK, SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK. I REQUESTED TO GET A NE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“2013 C300 4MATIC LUXURY MODEL. 1/26 - MY ENGINE STOP WHILE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT. (2ND TRIP OF THE DAY) IT'S NOT ECO STOP/START KIND OF STOP. THE CAR WON'T START WHEN I RELEASE MY BRAKE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AT DASH WERE ON. 1/29 - TODAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THIS MORNING THE ENGINE ST”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 340 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: THE 'PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED' MESSAGE COMES ON EVEN IF WHEN THERE'S AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND AM USING A LOANER, ANOTHER 2013 C300, THE MESSAGE JUST APPEARED IN THE LOANER AS WELL, LOANER HAS LESS THAN 1,000 MILES THE MESSAGE APPEARS R
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: REAR SUB FRAME RUST DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON DOORS, SPECIFICALLY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WILL BREAK, AND THE PERSON IS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER, BUT MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY HAS NOT PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS. MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESULTS. THE OWNERS HAVE TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: THE WELDS OF THE EXHAUST PIPES TO THE MUFFLER BROKE CAUSING THE MUFFLER TO SLIP OF THE PIPES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF ALL SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE PERFORM AND DRIVEN ONLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)