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Body and structurePart report

2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 Body and structure Problems

Complaints
58about this part
Share
22%of 262 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the body and structure of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, 22% of the 262 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.

Example complaints

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

“The rear subframe rusted through risking the control arms from detaching from the frame. This could cause the car to be uncontrollable with the right, rear wheel and control arm from detaching from the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11414126, filed 2021-04, 99,000 miles

“Interior door handle on doors, specifically the driver side door, will break, and the person is unable to get out of the car. This is a very serious matter, but mercedes benz company has not put out a recall on this. Many owners have complained about this issue with no results. The owners have to pay for this out of pocket, and it is costly. I feel as if this should be a recall issue, because it poses an hazard of getting out the car if the car is in an accident or worse, catches on fire. …”

NHTSA complaint #11255562, filed 2019-09, 80,000 miles

“while driving in an emergency braking situation the car went left...so much so i lost control and spun 360 degrees. i thought that wasnt rite...upon investigation it turns out the right rear torque arm was no longer connected..the cradle or sub frame. it was rotted thru causing the arm to break off !!....car is not drivable and mercedes wont repair it... someone is going to get killed if it hasnt happened already !!”

NHTSA complaint #11500752, filed 2023-01

“rear subframe premature rust for a 2013 car I've been reading a lot many people have same problem it is a very expensive fix and I'm sure Mercedes knows about it. Also engine makes very bad rattling noise at startup which is also a very expensive fix and Mercedes issued a tsb bulletin thank you”

NHTSA complaint #11483845, filed 2022-09

“Vehicle was taken in for standard maintenance and I was informed that the rear sub-frame had a rusted through hole on one side and was rusting on the other. This vehicle is well maintained, garaged, and has normal annual maintenance with the dealership. There was no prior warning that this was an issue or normal wear and tear was causing this problem. The repair is quoted to be over 5k and I was told it is/will be essential because of a safety issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11459024, filed 2022-03

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 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300

Air bags
99 complaints
Suspension
67 complaints
Steering
26 complaints
Electrical system
19 complaints
Other or unknown
19 complaints
Brakes
16 complaints
Engine
8 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Wheels
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Fuel 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