2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 262 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,675miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, 7% of the 262 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,675 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The electronic steering lock failed while in the parked position. A tiny motor inside has burned up and it now prevents you from starting the vehicle. The dealership will not sell me a replacement to repair on my own and I must take it in to them for repair at a cost of over $1800.00. This is a very common defect failure in this series of 2008 to 2014 mercedes benz. I have a 2005 mercedes which does not have this problem with the unit and is operating correctly after 15 years.”
NHTSA complaint #11337741, filed 2020-07, 93,000 miles“My mercedes benz c-300 4matic got rain water on the inside of the car and damaged the electrical. The car was parked on the street and all the windows was up. The drivers and passenger side of the car in the front under the dashboard was soaking wet from rain water. I do not know how the water got inside of the car. I was driving it after a rain storm and all the dash lights came on all the needle hands went down to zero, it was like the car was trying to restarting itself while I was driving. The car is now at mercedes benz novi michigan now. …”
NHTSA complaint #11119816, filed 2018-08, 46,350 miles“I received a recall inovember 2017 and am unable to get mb to make an appointment to fix an insufficient grounding component in the steering wheel which may causes an electrostatic discharge which deploys the takata airbag with resultant accident occurrence. I am in fear when driving. Mb has not responded to my request. They have not provided me with a safe car; they have ignored requests; they have given no answer to my letter and phone calls to ceo exler in atlanta or any person in manhattan main office. They have devalued the worth of my car if I tried to sell it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11084481, filed 2018-04, 22,000 miles“I have c 300 2013 mercedes which broke more than 3 times ( all within a year, this is a new car) with the same problem. This issue is potentially deadly to a driver. Acceleration diminished, breaks are not fully functioning, wind shield wiper don't work, signal does not work. I requested to get a new vehicle, but my request was denied. My understanding that mercedes does not care about my safety (or any other person who has this car) at all.I think this should be investigated further. May be they are hiding something about this electric problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10588653, filed 2014-05, 13,000 miles“2013 C300 4matic luxury model. 1/26 - my engine stop while waiting for traffic light. (2nd trip of the day) it's not eco stop/start kind of stop. The car won't start when I release my brake and all the warning lights at dash were on. 1/29 - today when I started the car this morning the engine stop 1-2 seconds after I started it. (2nd trip of the day) all warning light at dash were on. I took out my key then plug in to start it again. This time engine started, but both engine and car shake looks like it?s going to stop. I wait for 6-7 seconds then stop the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10495131, filed 2013-01, 2,400 milesRelated recalls
- 17V177000Mar 14, 2017Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles…Covers: Mercedes-Benz C300 2008–2016, E350 2012–2016, ML350 2012–2014 +13 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017119Apr 21, 2025Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search…
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11006658Aug 10, 2024Mercedes-Benz AG ("MBAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, G-Class, CL, CLS, ML, GL, GLE…
- 11008064Aug 9, 2024In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance and quality of your vehicle, we are writing to inform you that on certain Model Year 2011-2018 C-Class, E-Class…
- 10207198Jan 27, 2022Complaint The garage door hand transmitter cannot be initialized with the integrated garage door opener in the inside rearview mirror. Cause 1. The integrated garage door opener…
- 10207199Jan 9, 2022Complaint The range of the integrated garage door opener (GTO) is too short. Cause 1. Vehicles equipped with infrared windows and/or a heated windshield may suffer from…
- 10205790Aug 2, 2021After starting the engine, the instrument cluster shows the "EBD not available, diagnosis/test stand" message in yellow.
- 10187793Jan 7, 2021Mercedes-Benz AG (?MBAG?), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain Model Year (?MY?) 2013-2017 B-Class, C-Class, CLA-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, G-Class…
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 36% |
| 2023 | 5 | 23% |
| 2022 | 7 | 28% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 13 | 19% |
| 2018 | 10 | 10% |
| 2017 | 31 | 14% |
| 2016 | 32 | 11% |
| 2015 | 50 | 13% |
| 2014 | 9 | 10% |
| 2013 | 19 | 7% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 43 | 9% |
| 2010 | 84 | 19% |
| 2009 | 198 | 34% |
| 2008 | 228 | 34% |
Other parts of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300
99 complaintsSuspension
67 complaintsBody and structure
58 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 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