NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may be incorrect, possibly installed during a prior repair, and may not function properly in a crash.
This page covers 6 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350.
23 mpg combined
10.2 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 has 6 recalls, the most serious involving Takata airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
Three of the six recalls involve the front airbags. The passenger-side inflator is covered by two separate filings tied to the Takata recall, both describing the same risk of an inflator rupture scattering sharp metal fragments. A third airbag recall addresses the driver-side frontal airbag, which can deploy without warning while the vehicle is being driven, raising the risk of a crash. There is also a concern specific to vehicles that have previously had airbag repair work done: an incorrect front passenger airbag may have been installed during that prior repair, and a wrong-part airbag may not deploy properly in a crash. On the steering side, a connecting bolt in the steering coupling may not have been tightened enough during assembly, which can allow the connection to loosen and cause the driver to lose steering control. Finally, a software fault in the emergency call system can cause it to report an incorrect date, time, or vehicle location during an automatic crash notification, which may delay emergency responders reaching the scene.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may be incorrect, possibly installed during a prior repair, and may not function properly in a crash.
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What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
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.