Home · 2013 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid · Complaints

What 570 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (570)Crash / fire / injury (33)Airbags (285)Suspension (73)Body & structure (70)Engine (57)Steering (47)Electrical system (34)Fuel system (33)Brakes (19)Transmission & drivetrain (19)Speed control (12)

Newest first · 570 complaints · page 13 of 23

Jul 1, 2019

NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO ME OR MY CAR, BUT I AM CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY. IS THIS COMPLAINT FORM ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD AN ACCIDENT OR PASSED AWAY DUE TO THIS RECALL? THE RECALL IS OPEN AND PARTS AREN'T READY!? I AM TRYING TO SELL MY CAR DUE TO A FINANCIAL ISSUE/HARDSHIP. I NEED TO KNOW HOW YOU ARE GOING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI 11228778

Jun 30, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL APPEARS TO HAVE BECOME A BAD JOKE. IT HAS BEEN 16 MONTHS SINCE RECEIVING A LETTER FROM MERCEDES BENZ ACKNOWLEDGING THE DANGER OF OUR AIRBAGS NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND BEING A PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL (FEB 2018 TO JUNE 2019). MERCEDES BENZ HAS THEIR NOTIFICATION OF THIS RECALL, ON THEIR OWN MBUSA WEBSITE AS JAN 10, 2016 (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 18V043). MBZ HAS STATED THE STATUS OF THIS RECALL AS "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE." SINCE A VERY LONG TIME, WITH NO APPARENT CHANGES OR UPDATES. IT IS BECOMING CLEAR THAT MBZ HAS NO INTENTION OF FULFILLING THIS RECALL, AND APPARENTLY QUITE CONTENT TO LEAVE THE PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS OF THEIR VEHICLES IN DANGER OF INJURY, MAIMING, AND/OR DEATH FROM A REPAIRABLE PROBLEM THAT IS WELL KNOWN FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11228481

Jun 27, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL IN A LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 2018 I WAS NOTIFIED BY MERCEDES BENZ THAT MY C250 SEDAN HAD A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG THAT WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. THE LETTER WENT ON TO SAY THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE BUT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY BECAME AVAILABLE IN 2018. SOME TIME LATER, THE MBUSA (MBUSA.COM) WEBSITE PUBLISHED A REPAIR SCHEDULE INDICATING THAT PARTS FOR MY CAR WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE IN 2018 BUT WOULD BE IN EARLY 2019. NOW THE MBUSA WEBSITE SAYS THAT THE EXPECTED TIME FOR REPAIR PARTS IS APRIL 2020. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL BE OVER SEVEN YEARS OLD AT THAT POINT. THAT IS LESS THAN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT IT TOOK FOR THE FIRST FAULTY AIRBAGS TO BEGIN KILLING AND MAIMING DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. MY CAR IS IN PRIORITY GROUP 9. THE NHTSA DOCUMENTATION SHOWS THAT MANUFACTURERS SHOULD HAVE ACQUIRED SUFFICIENT PARTS FOR REPAIR OF PG 9 CARS BY JUNE OF 2018, BUT IN A LETTER OWNERS, THE CEO OF MERCEDES SAYS THAT THIS IS OUT OF HIS CONTROL. IT IS MY OPINION THAT MERCEDES BENZ IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH 49 USC 301 AND THAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CAUSE THEM TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE REQUIRED REPAIRS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

NHTSA ODI 11223087

Jun 25, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ANNAPOLIS (LOCATED AT 1920 FOREST DR, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401, (866) 290-0799) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11222413

Jun 24, 2019Fuel system

WHEN ACCELERATING, THE CAR WILL JUST LOSE ALL POWER AND STOP ACCELERATING. THIS THROWS YOU FORWARD AND KILLS POWER TO THE ENGINE PREVENTING YOU FROM SPEEDING UP. IT THEN GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE EXITING LIMP MODE. WHEN TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY SAY IT JUST DETECTS A FUEL ERROR AND STOPS THE ENGINE TO PREVENT DAMAGE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE ON A HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A CITY STREET AS I WAS TURNING.

NHTSA ODI 11222023

Jun 20, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18VC43000 (AIR BAGS). STAR MOTOR CARS (7000 KATY ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77024, 713-868-6800) WAS CONTACTED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11221446

Jun 19, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11221180

Jun 19, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SCHUMACHER EUROPEAN (18530 N SCOTTSDALE RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85054, (480) 470-7746) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11221273

Jun 17, 2019Airbags

2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING RECALL REPAIR. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11220072

Jun 16, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE, P0340, CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. PROBLEM INCLUDES DIFFICULTY STARTING CAR, ENGINE KNOCK UPON START, AND MISFIRES ACCELERATING TO PASS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI 11220450

Jun 1, 2019Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY EXIT WAS COMING UP SO I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS STIFF AND I COULD NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN. ONCE THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN DUE TO ME DRIVING ON A INCLINE I TURNED THE CAR OFF. STARTED THE CAR AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND I STILL HAD NOT POWER TO THE BRAKES. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING OIL. I HAD TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PART AND INSTALL IT.

NHTSA ODI 11217266

May 25, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL RECALL DATE JANUARY 2016. NO REMEDY STILL IN 2019. PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY RUPTURE WITH METAL FRAGMENTS. NO RENTAL CAR PROVIDED. NO UPDATES FROM MERCEDES BENZ. NO SAFETY.

NHTSA ODI 11209945

May 22, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL THIS RECALL HAS NOW BEEN OPEN FOR THREE YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS WITH NO PROPOSED RESOLUTION. AS A FLORIDA RESIDENT OWNER OF AN AFFECTED VEHICLE, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE CONDITION WORSENS OVER TIME, AND THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AT SOME POINT (SOON OR PRESENTLY) BECOMES A GREATER RISK OF DEGREDATION AND EXOLOSIVE DEPLOYMENT THAN OF PASSENGER PROTECTION. MAY WE AT LEAST INSTUCT THE DEALER TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG TEMPORARILY (WITHOUT COST TO US) UNTIL A "FIX" IS AVAILABLE?

NHTSA ODI 11209164

May 22, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF LONG BEACH (LOCATED AT 2300 E SPRING ST, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755, (562) 374-7759) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11209310

May 13, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER FLETCHER JONES IMPORTS (7300 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89117 (702) 364-2700) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11207265

May 13, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER MERCEDES BENZ OF PORTLAND (971-340-4573,1605 SW NAITO PKWY, PORTLAND, OR 97201) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE MANUFACTURER MAY PROVIDE THE REMEDY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECEIVE THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, SO THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE VEHICLE MAY BE REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED AN OPTION OF A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS PARTS AVAILABILITY TO SERVICE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WITH THE DEALER. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11207314

May 13, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF STEVENS CREEK (4500 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129 (408) 641-4610) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11207350

May 9, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG SINCE 1/1/90. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH PALM BEACH DEALER (561-848-2900, 9275 FL A1AALT, NORTH PALM BEACH, FL 33403 ) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI 11206572

Apr 24, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF PLEASANTON (5885 OWENS DR, PLEASANTON, CA 94588, (925) 463-2525) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI 11203414

Apr 4, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JANUARY OF 2016. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PEIDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30305) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11193802

Apr 3, 2019Airbags

"TAKATA RECALL" STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MERCEDES ABOUT WHEN THIS WILL BE FIXED. MY KIDS ARE NOT ABLE TO RIDE IN MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO THIS ISSUE AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIR BAG COULD GO OFF RANDOMLY. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN KNOWN SINCE JAN. 10TH 2016.

NHTSA ODI 11193656

Apr 1, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V043000 AND 17V627000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF HOUSTON GREENWAY (LOCATED AT 3900 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77027, (713) 489-2111) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11193076

Mar 29, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHUMACHER EUROPEAN (18530 N SCOTTSDALE RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85054) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11192465

Mar 28, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL -- I HAVE CALLED THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPT SEVERAL TIMES, AND GET THE SAME ANSWER THAT THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RECALL. I WOULD EXPECT THAT BY THIS TIME, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE SOME GENERAL IDEA OF WHEN THIS RECALL COULD BE HANDLED.

NHTSA ODI 11192291

Mar 28, 2019Engine

ON MY 2013 C250 ONLY WITH 55K MILES, A RATTLE NOISE BEGINS ON THE ENGINE(SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE) THE EXHAUST CRANKSHAFT ADJUS, CENTRAL VALVE& CRANKSHAFT TENSIONER DEFAULTS) THERE WHERE 3 CARS ALL 2012 C250, 2013 C250 IN THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP (MERCEDES-BENZ OF CORAL GABLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE) THIS IS A CLEAR AND WELL STATED AND RECORDED CASES IN WHICH MB USA SHOULD ACCEPT THE DEFECT AND RECALL THIS ISSUE, MANY PEOPLE ALSO IN THE RECORD HAVE PAYED $4-5K FOR THIS COMMON ISSUE. FINALLY, NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND FORCE MB USA TO OWN THIS WELL TOO COMMON DEFECT. I AM OBLIGATED TO ASK FOR LOANDS TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURE DEFECT

NHTSA ODI 11192321

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Working with the data? Download all 570 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid verdict →