2013 Mercedes-Benz C300: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
259 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 75 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 99 of 259 complaints (38.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 60 | 23.2% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 8.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 99 |
| Suspension | 63 |
| Structure:Body | 41 |
| Steering | 26 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 13 |
Air Bags: 99; Suspension: 63; Structure:Body: 41; Steering: 26; Unknown Or Other: 19; Electrical System: 16; Service Brakes: 15; Structure:Frame And Members: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 184 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 68 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2013: 4; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 6; 2017: 14; 2018: 39; 2019: 33; 2020: 18; 2021: 16; 2022: 68; 2023: 30; 2024: 10; 2025: 11; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10495131 · 2013-01-29 (January 29, 2013)
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 STOP 1-2 SECONDS AFTER I STARTED IT. (2ND TRIP OF THE DAY) ALL WARNING LIGHT AT DASH WERE ON. I TOOK OUT MY KEY THEN PLUG IN TO START IT AGAIN. THIS TIME ENGINE STARTED, BUT BOTH ENGINE AND CAR SHAKE LOOKS LIKE IT?S GOING TO STOP. I WAIT FOR 6-7 SECOND…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10515586 · 2013-06-07 (June 7, 2013)
I HIT A POTHOLE ON THE 96TH STREET TRANVERSE ROAD THROUGH CENTRAL PARK.WESTBOUND AROUND 4:30PM ON JUNE 3, 2013. AAA TOWED ME TO 54TH ST AUTO CENTER ON THE SAME DAY. BOTH RIGHT SIDE TIRES WERE DAMAGED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THEY BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR IS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ COST OF REPAIR $734.36. CAN YOU PLEASE REIMBURSE ME ? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10,103 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515586 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10521253 · 2013-06-23 (June 23, 2013)
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 RANDOMLY WHETHER PARKED OR MOVING. THE DEALER CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY OR NOT. THE PART, WHICH IS MANUFACTURED IN GERMANY, IS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10521253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10532175 · 2013-07-27 (July 27, 2013)
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 NOW ENABLED PLEASE SEE DRIVER MANUAL" I TOOK THE CAR TO MB SERVICE, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY CODE FOR PROBLEMS. THEY ASK ME TO VIDEOTAPE THE MESSAGES AND THE LIGHTS WHEN COME ON. I JUST DID TODAY. WILL SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO WITH IT. IT'S SOUND REALLY D…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564398 · 2014-02-14 (February 14, 2014)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10588653 · 2014-05-15 (May 15, 2014)
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 NEW VEHICLE, BUT MY REQUEST WAS DENIED. MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MERCEDES DOES NOT CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY (OR ANY OTHER PERSON WHO HAS THIS CAR) AT ALL.I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. MAY BE THEY ARE HIDING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ELECTRIC PROBLEM…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10588653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10629113 · 2014-08-28 (August 28, 2014)
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 BRUISING TO THE STOMACH, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10629113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10651140 · 2014-10-29 (October 29, 2014)
I BARELY STEPPED ON THE GAS AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED REAL QUICKLY. IT WAS PRETTY SCARY IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES ALREADY. I DO HAVE A HEAVY FOOT SO I AM TRYING TO MONITOR IF I'M STEPPING ON THE GAS TOO FAST OR HARD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10651140 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V177000 · Electrical System:Software | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2017-03-14 (March 14, 2017)
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 C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V252000 · Steering
Reported: 2017-04-12 (April 12, 2017)
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.
Consequence: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V627000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2017-10-06 (October 6, 2017)
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 Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
Consequence: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V043000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-10 (January 10, 2018)
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 Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V010000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)
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 "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V787000 · Communication
Reported: 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)
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
Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗