2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (87) · Suspension (56) · Structure:body (26)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz C300 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
75 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Communication 2019-11-01 · campaign 19V787000 · 24,226 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-09 · campaign 19V010000 · 288,779 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Z
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-10 · campaign 18V043000 · 132,167 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Air Bags:frontal 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cou
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Steering 2017-04-12 · campaign 17V252000 · 168 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.
Risk: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Electrical System:software 2017-03-14 · campaign 17V177000 · 51 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C30
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (104)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Suspension 2026-07-07 · LI33.20-P-078406 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. sound file attached for comparison. must match noise for proper diagnos
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Showing the 6 most recent of 104 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Power Train“at 94,000 miles my car started making a weird noise, before i could even get it into the shop my driveshaft completely failed (at the u-joint, where this has been reported multiple times) my car started clunking and banging in the middle of the road and became extremely unsafe to drive, as well as putting me in an unsafe situation. this been report…”
2026-10-09 · Electrical System“all of the lights in my rear driver side taillight stopped working. i had it looked at and there was oxidation at the ground connection which caused overheating and melted the plastic, leaving burn marks on the gray plastic piece. i see a safety bulletin for this exact issue for model years 2008-2011, but not my 2013. this is dangerous.…”
2026-08-17 · Structure · 47,574 mi“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; …”
2026-02-23 · Unknown Or Other“i am filing this complaint regarding a serious and recurring steering system defect involving my mercedes-benz vehicle and recall campaign no. 2017120022 (steering column defect). mercedes-benz corporate representatives provided conflicting information regarding whether the recall repair was completed in 2018. one representative stated it was perfo…”
2025-10-30 · Air Bags“i had just gotten off the highway it was a rainy day and pulled into my driveway when airbag deployed on its own. i am lucky to be alive. i purchased this vehicle about 2 yrs or so ago and ran carfax that showed recall was fixed by manufacturer. i contacted mercedes corporate office and it’s been almost two weeks with me calling and emailing w n…”
2025-10-24 · Structure:body:door:handle:interior“vehicle information: year: 2013 make: mercedes-benz model: c300 (4matic) approximate mileage: 126,026 component: latches/locks/linkages – interior door handle summary of issue: on october 10, 2025, the interior driver-side door handle on my 2013 mercedes-benz c300 broke, making it impossible to open the driver’s door from the inside. the handle b…”
2025-08-20 · Structure:body“the interior door handle of the driver's side door snapped, which does not allow the driver to open the door at all. in the event of a crash, fire, or emergency, the door can only be opened from the exterior. this is a widespread issue with this model of car, which mercedes-benz is very aware of. there are hundreds of videos and online discussions…”
2025-08-15 · Engine · 160,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. no warning light was illuminated. a dealer was contacted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that engine oil had traveled through the wiring harness causing the …”
2025-05-22 · Engine · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz c300. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the timing chain tensioners were faulty an…”
2025-05-22 · Engine“this is the second timing chain timing chain tensioner that has gone bad. even thought there have been many problems reported, mercedes will not acknowledge this as a recall problem. my safty is at risk if my engine becomes disabled on the hyway.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.