2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 Airbag Problems

163 owners have reported air bags problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 to NHTSA — 59% of all 278 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 60,000 miles. That ranks #2 of 4 C250 model years for airbag complaints (a typical year has 93). 4 related recalls have been issued.

163complaints
60ktypical miles
4related recalls
12crashes
2fires
15injuries

Which parts fail

  • Frontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette
    1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    39%
  • 25k–50k
    1134%
  • 50k–75k
    1031%
  • 75k–100k
    413%
  • 100k–150k
    39%
  • 150k+
    13%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the front passenger's side air bag unexpectedly deployed with no impact on the vehicle. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact parked and then restarted the vehicle before driving to the residence. The contact sustained bruises and scratches on his forearm, but medical attention was not received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

100,000 miles · Oct 2024 · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the driver's side air bags were inadvertently deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

79,000 miles · May 2022

Airbags didn't deploy during accident, vehicle hit on drivers side, greatly impacted, driver seatbelt was on. All recalls were completed. Impact from other vehicle that hit my vehicle had deployed airbags.

Sep 2026 · crash · 1 injury

"Front Right Malfunction Service Required." Recently purchased vehicle, dealer performed recalibration before sale (error did not display during test drive or before purchase). 30 minutes after purchase notification popped up, dealer agreed to pay for repair. Took to non-purchasing Mercedes dealer, they were able to reproduce and quoted for $4179. Repair included seat replacement and height adjustment replacement. Purchasing dealer then refused repair The error pops up randomly, with person in passenger seat and without. Afraid to have anyone ride as a passenger, if a wreck occurs the airbag could not deploy.

Dec 2022

As I sat in my vehicle waiting for the traffic light. I felt a sudden hit on my head. At that moment I was confused, and thought someone had rear ended me. So like anybody would, I pulled over only to find out that the headrest on my 2013 Mercedes Benz C250 had came apart. It seems like the plastic inside tore apart from the springs causing pressure for it to deploy.

Aug 2021

The glue that suppose to make sure my windshield is secure is no longer secure. The windshield moves as I am driving. It's only on the corner of the driver side. Everything else is secured. Also my airbags (passenger and driver). There is a recall but its not showing when I run the Vin # .

Sep 2022

I was driving in a parking lot and suddenly my air bag deployed for no reason I did not hit anyone or get hit for the airbag to deploy. Suffered some bruising on my right forearm and in my left ear I still hear ringing from the airbag deploying.

Oct 2024 · 1 injury

Per the attached Repair Order 948486 dated May 13, 2020, when I brought in the car to Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach for the airbag recall, I thought both of the Takata airbags were replaced and not just the passenger airbag. In fact, Repair Bill Job A states: "Replace Driver and Front Passenger Airbag". "No Charge" I did not notice that they only replaced the passenger airbag. I would not have known the driver's side was not replaced if the airbag warning light did not come on. Please direct Fletcher Jones to finish this repair properly. Per the enclosed photos, my dash display now has an image of the airbag and it says "Front Left Malfunction Service Required". I am very worried what will happen if we get into an accident. …

May 2020

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V043000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the passenger air bag warning indicator was illuminated. On one occasion, while the contact's vehicle was stopped, another vehicle crashed into its rear driver's side. The contact stated that the headrests detached due to the impact. The air bags did not deploy. The contact received injuries to the neck and back, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven. After the crash, the ABS, air bag, and several other unknown warning indicators illuminated. Also, the brakes failed to operate properly and the vehicle began to stall. …

62,000 miles · Jan 2016 · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Mercedes Benz c-250. None of the frontal air bags deployed vehicle destroyed the contact stated that his wife the driver of the vehicle fell asleep while driving due to the medication she was taken. Per the police report she was driving approximately 25-30 MPH when she collided head-on into a parked vehicle. None of the frontal air bags deployed. The police was present and a report was issued. The contact stated that the driver sought medical attention for head and shoulder injuries. The vehicle was towed to Mercedes Benz of arrowhead (9260 w bell rd, peoria, az 85382), then to the body shop where it was deemed a total loss. The cause of the air bag failure was not determined. The dealer was contacted by phone and advised that sometimes the air bags do not deploy. …

86,000 miles · Jan 2020 · crash · 1 injury

Related recalls

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 21V-638 · Aug 13, 2021 · 205 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-010 · Jan 9, 2019 · 288,779 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-043 · Jan 10, 2018 · 132,167 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 17V-627 · Oct 6, 2017 · 495,290 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic…

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

NHTSA investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

Airbag complaints in other C250 years

2012201320142015168163938
Airbag complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz C250.

Frequently asked questions

How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250?

NHTSA has 163 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250, 59% of the model year's 278 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › driver clockspring/spiral cassette (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 airbag problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-638 (frontal, Aug 13, 2021); NHTSA recall 19V-010 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-043 (inflator module, Jan 10, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 airbag problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 12 crashes, 2 fires and 15 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.