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

COMPONENT FAILURE - Broken rear cross member driver side. Total and Complete failure and separation of rear mount from cross member due to corrosion of components. Passenger side rear cross member at same location found to be "near-failure" state at same location during replacement. (Rear cross member is physically available for inspection and photos are also available). Overall condition of the cross member is excellent other than at the TWO locations where the mounts connect to the cross member which have extensive corrosion, rust thru and failure at driver's side. SAFETY - Safety was put at risk as the car would pull to left when brakes were applied and it continued to get worse, fortunately we limped the car to a repair location before a fatal accident occurred. The worse part of this whole situation is that Mercedes has encountered this issue before (per research on web sites) and has chosen to not address in the United States. Per research, they have recalled this issue in both the UK and Canada as well as specific dealers in Germany have reimbursed owners for repairs of this issue. This vehicle had recently been to the dealer for services and Firestone for tires and alignment and nobody had noticed the severity of rust. WARNING - No warning lamps, the only advance notice was the vehicle starting to pull toward the left which is what prompted us to seek out repair service. Once, the repair service (Firestone) immediately saw the total failure of the mount disconnected from the subframe they immediately diagnosed the problem with the car pulling to the left.

NHTSA ODI 11444818

While driving at low speed, there was a sudden imbalance in the steering wheel and the car started to pull to the right. The problem was more exaggerated while breaking with significant fishtailing. I immediately took the vehicle to Mercedes-Benz dealership who diagnosed the problem as severely rusted subframe with corrosion and structural instability especially near the rear passenger side wheel. The car is Mercedes C300 4Matic 2013. The incident happened on November 24, 2021. Mileage is 77,000 miles. Should I have waited longer, there was a very high probability of complete breakdown of the subframe which would result in rollover posing high risk of injury and death to the driver and other people on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11443417

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the rear of the vehicle started fishtailing with extreme vibration making the vehicle very unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered the rear passenger’s side subframe was severely rusted causing a section near the rear passenger’s side wheel detaches. The cause of the corrosion was not determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,500.

NHTSA ODI 11442065

The subframe rotted out causing the lower control arm bracket to detach from the frame. This has caused loss of control of the back left wheel and causes the car to shake and swerve when braking. This exact issue has led to recall in Canada. First noticed due to a squeaking and clunking sound. Later on the same day, I pressed the brakes on the highway and felt the described shaking/swerving. My mechanic has let me know that the car is now un-drivable due to the safety issue this causes. One of the rear subframe’s main purposes is to absorb and disperse impact. Not only have I entirely lost control of the rear left, but any crash that this could have led to could have been significantly more dangerous due to the failed subframe. As stated prior, this exact issue has led to recall in Canada and I believe that it should lead to recall in the USA as well.

NHTSA ODI 11440327

Vehicle subframe has rusted through and parts of left rear suspension components are free, and one is about to poke a hole in the fuel tank. The right side is about to do the same. Everyone’s safety is at high risk with this problem. The car abruptly pulls to the left when applying the brakes as well as causing the car to shimmy on the interstate. I took it to my mechanic who to.d me what has happened, and I had it towed to the Mercedes dealership who confirmed the problem. When you search the internet you find a highly alarming number of people who have this same problem on 2009-2014 C300 models please do something before someone gets killed.

NHTSA ODI 11440058

During a routine maintenance inspection at the Mercedes dealer, the mechanic found the rear subframe on the left and right sides of the car is rusting. Eventually it will rust through and possibly causing the loss of the control arms and wheels. At that point the car could become uncontrollable. The issue was discussed with Mercedes Benz USA Customer Advocacy. They informed me the once a vehicle falls outside warranty repairs are at the owners expense. Although the car is 8 years old it has only 51,000 miles. This is a known issue with my model year and in fact there is a recall in Canada for this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11437263

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 vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that the subframe had severe corrosion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed his daughter that they could not offer any assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11434672

Mercedes dealership mechanic found rear subframe rusted through on 5/20/21 during oil change. Mechanic advised car is unsafe to drive, subframe can break apart while driving and cause accident. Dealership also advised this is a known issue with my model/year vehicle but currently no recall for it in the US, but there is a recall for this issue in Canada. I called Mercedes Benz USA customer care and spoke to a supervisor Benjamin who said they will not cover any repair expense for this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11418551

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 sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 60,0000.

NHTSA ODI 11417921

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.

NHTSA ODI 11414126

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 PAY FOR THIS OUT OF POCKET, AND IT IS COSTLY. I FEEL AS IF THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE, BECAUSE IT POSES AN HAZARD OF GETTING OUT THE CAR IF THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE, CATCHES ON FIRE. AND YES, MY DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2013 C300 IS BROKE, AND HAVE BEEN QUOTED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WILL COST ME $1100 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11255562

DROVE UP TO DESTINATION PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF IGNITION WHEN I THEN REACHED FOR THE DOOR HANDLE AND WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. DRIVERS DOOR LATCH/ HANDLE BROKE AND UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR TO GET OUT OF CAR. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WAS NOT A RECALL AND NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE DOOR WHICH THEY QUOTED ME $1000.00 (LABOR/DOOR). THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR WITH WINDOW UP. DEALER STATED THE PART HAS 2 YEAR WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO ASSURANCE THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN NOR IF THE OTHER DOORS LATCH/HANDLE WILL BREAK AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11166711

THE INSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE CAR BROKE. IT DOESN'T OPEN AND THOUGHT WAS EASY TO FIX. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD ME IT COST A $1,000.00 BECAUSE NEED A NEW PANEL. UNACCEPTABLE. LOOKING IN INTERNET, FIGURE OUT THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE'S A LOT OF CARS IN U.S. THIS REPRESENT A SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING BECAUSE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT INVOLVING FIRE YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND HAVE TO OPEN THE ELECTRIC WINDOW TO USE THE OUTSIDE HANDLE (YES, IT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE!) IF THE CAR IS WITHOUT POWER IN AN ACCIDENT, YOU CAN LOOSE YOUR LIFE IF FIRE IS INVOLVE. YOU SIMPLY ARE TRAPPED AND THE ONLY OPTION IS BREAKING THE WINDOW. I WROTE TO DAIMLER, MB U.S.A. AND GARAJE ISLA VERDE (OFFICIAL DEALER IN PUERTO RICO), AND IT JUST COST $1,000.00. MB U.S.A. REFERRED THE CASE TO GARAJE ISLA VERDE BUT THEY THREAT ME LIKE...NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. OK, I TOOK THE CAR AND START SEARCHING IN INTERNET. SURPRISINGLY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM! THEN I THOUGHT TO WRITE BECAUSE THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF MONEY, ALSO IS A MATTER OF THREATENING. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR. WE TOOK THE CAR THERE FOR LOOKING FOR THE COST OF FIXING THAT, PRICE OF FIXING A CRASH AT BACK BUMPER AND FOR GENERAL INSPECTIONS. WE LEFT THE CAR SEPTEMBER 11. WE CALLED AFTER 2 WEEKS. I PICKED THE CAR OCTOBER 19. THE SAFETY MATTER CONCERNS TO YOU, NOT WITH MY CAR, BUT WITH ALL THE CARS IN THE NATION. MAKE AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT THAT AND DECIDE IF IT PROCEED. MY BEST REGARDS AND THANKS. [XXX] RETIRED CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT. I JUST DID MY PART. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11141583

THE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN, AND WE HAD THE PART ON ORDER SINCE 11/7/2017 YEAR, WE CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR, ONLY WHEN WE ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THERE IS NO WAY OF ESCAPING.

NHTSA ODI 11104240

ON MAY 13, 2018, MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD BEEN DRIVING AND WENT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET OUT. I PANICKED THAT I COULD NOT EXIT. I HAD TO START THE CAR TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND TO OPEN DRIVERS DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE REPAIR AND NOTIFIED THE PLASTIC HANDLE BROKE AWAY INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL. TOLD IT WOULD BE 6-12 MONTHS OR LONGER WAIT TIME TO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT DOOR PANEL. MERCEDES BENZ DOES NOT JUST SELL A HANDLE REPLACEMENT AND HAVE TO PURCHASE THE WHOLE INTERIOR DOOR TRIM.

NHTSA ODI 11093925

THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH BROKE, KEEPING THE DRIVER FROM OPENING THE DOOR AND SAFELY EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN MANY MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES WHERE THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR LATCH SNAPS OFF INSIDE THE DOOR. TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER MUST LOWER THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.

NHTSA ODI 11065513

INSIDE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE BROKE AT THE ATTACH POINT TO CABLE. ON INSPECTION FOUND THAT HANDLE IS MANUFACTURED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH MATERIAL IN THE BODY OF THE JOINT TO MAINTAIN INTEGRITY FOR SUCH A HIGH USE ITEM. THIS PRESENTS A DANGER AS THE HANDLE WILL FAIL AND COULD FAIL IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, TRAPPING THE DRIVER IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11051131

ON 1/29/17 WE AWOKE TO THE SMELL OF SMOKE COMING FROM OUR GARAGE. UPON OPENING THE INSIDE DOOR TO OUR GARAGE, WE DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS RESULTED IN AN UNKNOWN CAUSE. HOWEVER THE FIRE WAS CENTERED AROUND THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE LEFT REAR DOOR WAS FOUND OPEN/AJAR? THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR OVER 24 HOURS PRIOR AND AS RECENTLY AS 9PM THE NIGHT BEFORE ALL WAS WELL WHEN I VISITED THE GARAGE?

NHTSA ODI 10954982

THE DOOR HANDLE BREAKS FROM THE INSIDE MAKING IT WHERE YOU CAN'T EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE ON AND WINDOW ROLLED DOWN TO OPEN HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. MERCEDES CONSIDERS THE DOOR HANDLE TO BE A "TRIM PIECE" AND NOT A FUNCTIONAL PIECE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL OR AT LEAST COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT CUSTOMERS PURCHASE. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT MY VEHICLE IF THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI 10954598

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND EXPLODED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10767499