Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 25% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 29% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 22% | 2,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% | 20,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2019 | 6 | 9% | 6,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 3% | 7,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 2% | 20,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2013 | 16 | 6% | 35,000 miles |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% | 110,000 miles |
| 2011 | 13 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% | 93,000 miles |
| 2009 | 21 | 4% | 53,000 miles |
| 2008 | 17 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle appears to have experienced a braking system malfunction, possibly involving the brake-by-wire system, electronic stability control (ESC), or unintended acceleration event. When the brake pedal was fully depressed, the car suddenly and uncontrollably accelerated forward into a cinder block wall. After the incident, it was observed that only the left-side tires left skid marks, indicating an apparent brake imbalance or failure on the right side. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were severely compromised. My daughter and I were in the car during this and are extremely traumatized. Despite pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a cinder block wall, which could have resulted in serious injury or death had a person, pedestrian, or oncoming vehicle been in front. …
I was driving and all of a sudden a loud sound started occurring and the sound appeared to come from my breaks as if they were about to give out. The car is currently at Mercedes getting looked at. I'm concerned for my safety as I have taken this car in for two other issues in the last couple of months.
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes C300. The contact stated that while traveling over a pedestrian crosswalk, the emergency braking mode was engaged. The accelerator pedal was applied but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle went into restricted mode. A Hyundai Elantra crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The driver in the Hyundai stated that the brake lights were not illuminated. There was no air bag deployment or fire. A police report was filed. The contact who was occupying the front passenger seat sustained an injury to her neck and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there were no restricted mode codes located. They were unable to duplicate or verify the incident. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 2000.
On 2/17/24 the vehicle was parked in front of my house. There is a slight grade. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 1 hour when my neighbor called me to tell me that the vehicle had rolled down the hill and into his storage building. The vehicle rolled on its own. I have video evidence that no one was in or around the car at the time of this occurrence. I also, have 2 eyewitnesses who can corroborate this story. Due to safety concerns, I immediately returned the vehicle to Mercedes. I have .MOV files and pictures JPEG that will not upload for some reason.
On Tuesday, the steering wheel failed to operate while making a left turn. While making a left turn the steering wheel locked and the brakes did not function to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued to steer to the left and I almost hit another vehicle head on. What stopped my vehicle was the emergency brake system activated by almost hitting the other vehicle head on. They luckily saw me head on and tried to quickly move out the way. This happened two times the second time Thursday, there was a school bus to the left of me my car. I was not making a left turn but on a road that the curve went left and the steering wheel locked in that position. My wheel was locked and failed to stop for about 45 seconds with no car in front to trigger the emergency brakes. Immediately to my left was a school bus. …
On the afternoon of February 6, 2024, as I was turning into my driveway to park in front of the garage, my car unexpectedly accelerated despite my foot being on the brake pedal. Despite my attempts to brake, the pedal didn't respond, causing the car to collide with the garage door and subsequently damage storage shelves and containers inside. My mother and two brothers were passengers, returning from my mother's doctor appointment, and she became trapped inside due to the garage door collapsing onto the car. Emergency services were called, and both the fire department and police assisted in freeing my mother from the vehicle. However, the police did not file an accident report since it occurred on private property. Subsequently, I contacted my insurance agent, and the car was towed to a repair shop recommended by the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while crossing a pay toll, she was depressing the brake pedal to the floorboard but the vehicle failed to decelerate and rear-ended into a truck. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The contact stated there was no need to call and report the incident, no police report was filed. The contact stated she continued driving to her destination. The contact stated when she stepped out of the vehicle, she noticed the bumper, the grill, and the Mercedes-Benz logo and bracket were fractured. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the brake pads, the rotors, the bumper, the Mercedes-Benz logo, and the bracket to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
While driving past, close proximity or even going 30-40mph on a local road or even 60-70 on a highway the break assist function will repeatedly beep, and most times it will stop my car for me. This occurs also, when there are no cars near me! It's very sudden, and unpredictable. on more occasions than few, if i'm driving in the middle of a 3- lane road, and cars are stopping in the far right lane, or making a turn my break assist will malfunction and automatically break. Multiple occasions I feared that a car may rear-end me. It happens alot. Very scary. This has been occurring for more than 2 years.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz C300 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (21), 2008 (17), 2013 (16), 2012 (15) and 2011 (13) model years. Brake complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz C300 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Mercedes-Benz C300 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz C300 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (2 mentions), followed by the pedals and linkages (1).
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.