NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 6 recalls and 258 owner complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300.
For the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, airbag-related complaints make up the single largest share of what owners report, with the structural and suspension categories close behind. On the airbag side, owners describe unexpected deployments, in some cases with no collision involved, along with concerns about warning lights and system behavior at rest. The structure category is heavily driven by interior door handle failures, particularly on the driver's side, where the handle snaps and leaves the door openable only from the outside. Suspension complaints cover a range of ride and handling issues owners notice over time. A smaller but recurring thread involves the engine and electrical side, where at least some owners report oil migrating into the wiring harness and causing the ECU to fail, leaving the vehicle unable to start with no warning light to signal the problem beforehand.
258
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 has 6 recalls, the most serious involving the passenger-side airbag inflator, which can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
Two separate recalls cover this Takata-type inflator issue, one focused on the driver-side airbag and one on the passenger side. In addition to the inflator risks, a separate recall addresses a driver airbag that can deploy without warning while driving, raising the risk of a crash and injury from an unexpected inflation. Taken together, airbag reliability is the dominant concern across these filings.
On the steering side, the bolt connecting the steering coupling may not have been tightened properly, which can allow the steering column to lose its mechanical link to the front wheels. When that connection fails, the driver loses the ability to steer. A steering failure at any speed, but especially highway speed, significantly increases crash risk.
The electrical recalls cover two distinct issues. A software fault in the airbag control system can prevent the airbags from deploying correctly in a crash, meaning occupants may not get the full benefit of the restraint system at the moment they need it most. Separately, another software fault affects the vehicle's automatic emergency call feature: when a crash triggers an eCall, the system may transmit an incorrect time stamp, which can cause the vehicle's reported location to be wrong. Emergency responders working from a bad location may take longer to reach the vehicle, which can worsen outcomes in a serious collision.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
A software error causes the eCall emergency system's date and time to be incorrect, which may result in an inaccurate vehicle location being sent during an emergency call.
What the fix does
Mercedes-Benz will send a remote software update to your vehicle. Dealers will verify the update worked or install a new communication module software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag may deploy unexpectedly if the steering components lack proper grounding and the airbag clockspring is broken, allowing electrostatic discharge to trigger deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add grounding to the steering components to prevent electrostatic discharge from triggering the airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt connecting the steering coupling may not be tight enough, which could cause loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the steering coupling bolt as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Control unit software may be incorrect, potentially preventing airbags from deploying properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the control unit software at no cost to restore proper airbag deployment function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.