Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle felt like it had shifted sideways. The contact stated that it seemed as if the steering wheel and the front driver's seat had shifted. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk latch was enabled; however the trunk failed to open or close. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed subframe and brake line. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not being released because the vehicle was deemed unsafe. The contact was informed that the subframe repair was covered under an unknown recall repair. The contact requested a quote for the additional repair. The dealer then requested that the contact remove the vehicle from the dealer lot. …
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH and attempting to abruptly stop the vehicle to avoid a crash, the vehicle suddenly drifted into the opposite lane while depressing the brake pedal. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear control arms had failed. The vehicle was driven to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was due to severe subframe corrosion. The contact was informed that the rear subframe and rear control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking. The contact then depressed the brake pedal causing the vehicle to drift. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear-subframe was severely rusted causing a control link to fracture. The contact was informed that the control link and subframe needed to be replaced on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle veered to the left. The contact depressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle was difficult to control. The vehicle then veered to the right. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with frame rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, the vehicle independently swayed to the left without warning. The contact notified the independent mechanic who instructed her to bring the vehicle in for an inspection. The mechanic discovered severe corrosion on the subframe; however, the part to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a second independent mechanic who kept the vehicle for three weeks before the vehicle was repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,026.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal tapping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the subframe was corroded. The independent mechanic replaced the subframe; however, the failure recurred with the vehicle making an abnormal sound while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where the vehicle remained but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a thumping noise from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and checked underneath the vehicle and saw that the rear of the vehicle was sitting on the fuel tank. The contact was able to drive home safely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a severely rusted rear sub-frame. The contact was informed that the rear sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,300.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the rear of the vehicle started fishtailing with extreme vibration making the vehicle very unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered the rear passenger's side subframe was severely rusted causing a section near the rear passenger's side wheel detaches. The cause of the corrosion was not determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,500.
The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, his daughter lost control of the vehicle upon the depression of the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle would veer off the road without warning. His daughter had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that the subframe had severe corrosion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed his daughter that they could not offer any assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the left aggressively. The vehicle was driven to the residence; however, while driving, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a severely corroded rear subframe and that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Body complaints in other C300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the body & structure of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, 22% of the model year's 261 complaints. The component named most often is body (41 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
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.