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Body and structurePart report

2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 Body and structure Problems

Complaints
49about this part
Share
10%of 480 total for the year
Median mileage
105,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the body and structure of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, 10% of the 480 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I recently noticed a noise coming from the left rear side os the car when I would go over the slightest bumps. I was scheduled to have my breaks replaced and when the auto was on the lift, the mechanic noticed that the frame was cracked. The auto has never been involved in any serious accidents. I did some searching on Mercedes Benz forums and there are several references of similar occurrences. Those reporting the issue after visiting a dealer have hinted it's a known issue and caused by Winter weather. …”

NHTSA complaint #11468378, filed 2022-06, 158,000 miles

“Rear suspension control arm rusts off of the subframe. No other rust on the car. During braking the car steers hard to the right almost causing an accident”

NHTSA complaint #11340814, filed 2020-07, 105,000 miles

“The passenger side of the car got flooded with water. The dealership found that the leak was from the right side sunroof drain and that they would have to remove the headliner and passenger side interior carpeting to access the affected areas. The $795 estimate ballooned to $1600 when they said that the seating would have to be removed to remove the entire carpet because there was more water that had gotten into the car than they originally thought! This sounds like a design defect in this vehicle! This could be dangerous with the electric power and heated seats!”

NHTSA complaint #10679956, filed 2015-01, 35,000 miles

“Had to replace the rear sub frame due to extensive rust and erosion. Major safety concern. This was brought to my attention at a routine maintenance service appointment. Almost as is they knew they should be looking for this problem. We are the only owners of this car. It is a garage parked car. No rust elsewhere just at the welded connection on the rear sub frame.”

NHTSA complaint #11486722, filed 2022-09

“08/15/2022 (date statement was wrote not date of incident) While driving into work at 50 miles an hour, traffic started to slow. While applying brake heard loud pop and vehicle rear end lounged right making steering difficult, I immediately released the brake and control came back I then gently applied the brake again to slow vehicle and felt slight clump from rear. …”

NHTSA complaint #11479472, filed 2022-08

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202315%
202214%
2020412%
2019710%
20181414%
20172411%
20162810%
20156016%
2014910%
20135822%
20125521%
20114910%
2010348%
2009275%
200891%

Other parts of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300

Air bags
250 complaints
Suspension
60 complaints
Fuel system
44 complaints
Electrical system
43 complaints
Steering
34 complaints
Other or unknown
33 complaints
Exterior lighting
20 complaints
Brakes
13 complaints
Engine
10 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
Seats
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology