What 435 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Mercedes-benz C-class Hybrid

The car would seem to shift when stopping , when tires were removed the rear subframe had rusted out completely, this is a major safety issue and could cause loss of control of the vehicle. The failure is the same as what the w204s experienced but they’re being fixed at the cost of Mercedes

NHTSA ODI 11738382

rusted rear subframe. unsafe braking and suspension due to this. damage code 35441 47 shows 2008-2015 vins but my vin does not show active recall, yet has the issue

NHTSA ODI 11734426

The R&R rear subframe is showing premature corrosion that can cause structural failure. This can lead to rear suspension detachment, erratic driving behavior, and severe safety risks. This problem has been confirmed by the Mercedes Benz dealer. This has been inspected by the Mercedes Benz dealership. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior me finding out it was failing. I had a multi inspection performed on my car due to another issues and the MB service dept found it during that time. Which means if I had never had the multi inspection done due to another issue I was having with the car, I would not have known.

NHTSA ODI 11729890

Rear subframe has rust and holes. Dealer is saying not covered under warranty and asking for 8000

NHTSA ODI 11729627

REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AND BROKEN

NHTSA ODI 11724694

Failed/Malfunctioned Component: Rear subframe (structural/chassis component) exhibited advanced corrosion (perforation/rust-through), compromising structural integrity and alignment/handling. Availability for Inspection: Yes. The vehicle and the subframe are available for inspection upon request. I can provide photos, videos, and repair estimates if needed. The corroded subframe is fracture and detach suspension mounting points, which may lead to: Sudden loss of vehicle stability or control (especially during braking, cornering, or over bumps). Unpredictable alignment changes causing pulling, vibration, or abnormal tire wear that can escalate into a loss-of-control event. Increased stopping distance and potential for wheel misalignment or collapse, raising the risk of a crash involving occupants and other road users. I limited driving/use due to the risk; issue is a structural safety concern rather than cosmetic. Confirmation: Yes on multiple visits since Oct 2023 -Yes—diagnosed and documented by Mercedes-Benz of Silver Spring on Oct 2 2023, Nov 2023 and Dec 2025. Technician confirmed severe corrosion/rust perforation on the rear subframe requiring replacement. No No

NHTSA ODI 11712059

Purchased this car in September 2024 for our [XXX] son. Upon inspection at our local Mercedes Dealership on December 1, 2025, we were informed that the rear subframe should be immediately replaced as there is a rusted hole in the subframe, "compromising the structural integrity of the rear of the vehicle." We were informed that the prior bulletin issued for 2010-2014 C-Class models did not include our 2015 C-Class. We were quoted over $5200 to repair the subframe. There were no warning messages, lights problems that were noted, prior to inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11708959

Rear subframe rusted out, car is not safe to drive

NHTSA ODI 11698179

Rear subframe completely rusted out. While driving on the hwy I heard a loud noise, a couple minutes later I hit the brakes to slow down to get off my exit and after pressing the brakes the car instantly fishtailed sending me sideways across 2 lanes of traffic. Luckily no one was injured or killed. I’ve seen that the car manufacturer was replacing this issue on models 2008-2015. My vehicle is a 2015 and they are telling me my vehicle is not covered for the issue. The car is not drivable and Mercedes needs to be held accountable. A critical component such as rear subframe completely rusting out in just under 10 years is unheard of and I can’t afford to pay 10k to fix it. Please help

NHTSA ODI 11696650

The Rear Subframe on this vehicle is rusted and has hole in it. The sub frame requires replacement. The sub frame was inspected by the Mercedes-Benz Dealership, Euro Motorcars in Germantown, MD and they recommended that the sub frame should be replaced. There is an extended warranty that has been issued by Mercedes-Benz for the Model Year and Model (2008-2015 C-Class Sedan/Coupe). However, Mercedes-Benz decline to cover the cost of the repair stating that my VIN is not part of that Warranty. This is a well documented safety issue and I believe that Mercedes-Benz should include my VIN in that extended warranty and replaced the subframe on my car.

NHTSA ODI 11688397

there is a recall for 2008-2015 Mercades Benz c-300 c/w204. this recall talks about the rear subframe rusting out early on this car. we have a 2015 c300 c/w205. this car is seeing the same early rust seen in the other c-300. the dealership is refusing to do right by the warranty because it is a c/w205 even thought this is a known problem for this year and type of car. I am making this because it should be extended to all c300 2008-2015 cause they all use the same subframe. they changed the subframes and the look of the c-300 starting in 2016. it also would appear that the rust is coming from the inside of the subframe making we wonder how bad it is on the inside if it is making its way to the outside of it. I believe water penetrates into the rear subframe has no drainage and begins to rust. also we take the car to the dealer every 5 Ish months and this last service is the first we have seen of this.

NHTSA ODI 11687391

On January 21,2025, I had an appointment for an inspection at Mercedes Benz of Smithtown, the dealership I use. I was informed that my car required replacement of a rotted rear subframe. A hole had rotted through, causing the car to "Fail inspection and was NOT SAFE" to drive. I was provided a video showing the damage. There was a recall in effect however, my Vin # was not included and it’s status has not changed. The 2015 C-Class Sedan/Coupe Vin # [XXX] , which was neglected to be included in the recall covers 2008-2015 C-Class Sedan/Coupes, regarding rotted rear subframe. MBUSA extended the vehicle Warranty 4 yrs/ 50,000 miles to 20 yrs/unlimited miles. However, I do not qualify for reimbursement of $4,014.92, because my Vin # was left off the list. Mercedes customer assistant center states they can't help, has to be included by NHTSA, when I said they cannot add a Vin #. I was then told, it has to come from the head office in Germany. Nothing like getting a run around not what I expected from Mercedes Benz USA, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11675408

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a routine maintenance check, the contact was informed that there was severe corrosion on the subframe of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and that several failures might occur due to the failure. The contact stated that recently, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle swerved, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that there was a warranty on the vehicle related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11671701

Rear-subframe corrosion at the lower-control-arm mounts has progressed to the point where both arms have play and produce loud metallic bangs while braking or turning at low speed. Two independent shops lifted the car, documented flaking rust around the bushing sleeves, and advised the subframe is structurally compromised and could let a control arm detach under load. The corroded subframe remains installed and can be inspected on request. Safety risk: a detached rear control arm would cause sudden, unpredictable steering and loss of control. The vehicle already pulls right under braking, and feels very unstable in curves Problem has been reproduced and photographed by two independent repair facilities. No manufacturer representative has inspected the vehicle so far. Additional component failures possibly linked to the same progressive chassis stress: premature wear of both front CV axles; timing-chain stretch with worn guides; slack oil-pump chain; upper & lower oil-pan gasket leaks; water-pump seepage; right engine-mount collapse; persistent misfire traced to a loose intake-hose clamp; transmission-cooler hose clip released under pressure, dumping all ATF and destroying the automatic transmission; excessive play in all four lower control-arm bushings. The transmission and the other components were replaced 1-2 months before the subframe bro History: A faint clank from the rear suspension first appeared roughly three years into ownership. Dealer service dismissed it as “normal noise,” and warranty would not cover “loud clanks,” so the issue went unaddressed. The noise has grown steadily into the current condition, suggesting long-term subframe corrosion that was never inspected or remediated. No collision, flood, or off-road use; the car has typical Northeast winter-salt exposure. The failure pattern matches subframe-corrosion cases already acknowledged by the manufacturer on this model, although this serial number is not yet included in the official campaign.

NHTSA ODI 11663816

I took the car for annual maintenance to Mercedes-Benz dealership. After routine check up they came back to report rusty rear subframe and told me that needs to be replaced. However this part is really expensive and models from 2008 to 2015 C300 had the same issue(premature rust) and they all received extended warranty from Mercedes-Benz for free replacement. I wanted to report this safety issue for C300 model including mine that is not covered under extended warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11656453

Rear subframe broke while driving- made stearing/controlling/breaking car very difficult & dangerous.... After reviewing on internet- MB is aware of this problem

NHTSA ODI 11655962

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that approximately every 6-8 months, the vehicle sputtered while driving at various speeds or while idling. The contact stated that a month after the first failure had occurred, the front end of the vehicle lowered as if the shocks or hydraulic system had failed. The failure had occurred 3 times within a year and a half. The contact stated that after the second failure, the entire vehicle lowered several inches, and at the third failure, only the front end of the vehicle was lowered. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the hydraulic pump and the connections from the shocks to the hydraulic pump had failed. The failure reoccurred approximately 8 months later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who diagnosed the same failure and completed the same repairs. The failure reoccurred approximately 8 months later, and the vehicle was returned to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer provided the contact with a loaner while attempting to have the contact trade the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11646427

Rear subframe cracked while driving and rear of car sways from one lane to the next when brakes are applied. Car is not safe

NHTSA ODI 11641763

The defect is a rusted rear subframe with large holes that will break and cause wheels to become detached and lost control of the vehicle. The issue was identified and repaired by an authorized Mercedes dealership. Additionally, an authorized Mercedes mechanic provided video of my vehicle showing a rusted rear subframe with huge holes on both sides of the vehicle. He also stated the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Mercedes has issued an extended warranty on this same exact issue but only to certain VINs.

NHTSA ODI 11611955

My car (vin [XXX] ) a 2015 Mercedes C300 is experiencing the same premature rusting on the subframe. I was told that while a lot of Mercedes are covered, mine is not for some reason but I'm at the same risk for the subframe getting holes in it and wheels breaking off. I only have 78,000 miles on my car, only have it serviced at the dealer and it has been garaged parked. This type of damage is not typical for a car that has been this well cared for and for the amount it has been driven. I called Mercedes to honor the $5600 or to extend the warranty should it have to be replaced and they said to file a claim here. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11610913

DURING SAFETY INSPECTION ON [XXX] SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND TO HAVE A HOLE WHICH FAILED THE INSPECTION. I PAID $4300 TO HAVE IT FIXED ON [XXX]. THIS I LEARNT LATER IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND CAN RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS- A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT EXISTS IN EUROPE AND IN US AS WELL. THIS PART IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. DEGRADED PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR MAY WELL BE IMPACTING OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR NOW - I HAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD PERHAPS BECAUSE OF FRAME ISSUES? MERCEDES NEEDS TO MAKE SURE PARTS USED DONT ENDANGER DRIVERS LIVES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11575435

I have a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic got a letter from the company car had few recalls to address. Dropped the at Mercedes-Benz Hampton VA dealership on 12/06/2023 at 8:30 AM EST. After few hours got a call from the dealership that rear subframe of the has bad corrosion and because of the rust it got holes in it which is a bad safety risk. Risk is so great that it cant pass Virginia state inspection. I did a good online research and found it is a common issue in Mercedes-Benz vehicles and the company issued safety recall on some years and models but not on all the affected vehicles. Like my car has the exact same safety issue rear subframe got rust from inside so it was hard to notice till it became unsafe to drive the car. The dealer is asking almost $5000.00 to replace it. The Mercedes-Benz customer support center is unable to explain why some cars are covered with extended warranty offered by the factory and some doesn't for exact same issue. There are bunch of more people with same complaint but they don't know where to go.

NHTSA ODI 11559001

Mercedes 2015 C300 crank case ventilation hose has a defect and it is well-known to the manufacturer. This causes recurring engine and exhaust problems for a large number of car owners, and it should be part of a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11529358

THE C300 4MATIC SPECIFICALLY SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE SOMETHING NEAR THE FRONT END SQUEAKS AND MAKES ALL TYPES OF NOISES

NHTSA ODI 11405111

SUSPENSION PARTS ARE RUSTING OUT FAST I DON'T LIVE IN A SALTED ROAD FOR BLACK ICE TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT CAR ONLY HAS 66K MILES AND AC POURS FUEL ODORS IN THE CABIN INTERIOR MATERIALS ARE BUBBLING UP FAST EVEN AFTER UV TREATMENTS.

NHTSA ODI 11397130