2013 Mercedes-Benz C250: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Nov 2, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

The vehicle was represented to me as safe to drive, with no major mechanical issues, and that it would pass emissions after only a simple minor fix. After I took possession, the check engine light came on. The car began running rough and showing hesitation. A scan immediately showed a camshaft position sensor fault, cylinder misfire, lean fuel condition, and oxygen sensor/emissions faults. I was also told by a professional shop that the timing chain may be failing. I was then warned that these problems can cause power loss or engine stalling while driving, and that the vehicle in this condition would likely not pass a legal emissions inspection. I was never told about any of these safety or emissions problems before taking the vehicle. This situation creates a safety risk because sudden loss of engine power or stalling can happen in traffic.

Filed Aug 31, 2020 · Engine · 88,500 miles · SC

I was driving on the highway doing around 70 MPH and all of a sudden my car lost power and start shaking acting like it didn't want to go forward, I was afraid that it was going shut down on me and a lot of cars was coming behind me I was so afraid I was going to be in a bad accident, I was able to get over and come to a complete stop without incident, but I was afraid the car was going to shut off on me and not start back up but I manage to make it home because I was only a few miles away. The next day I took the car to be diagnose because the check engine light came on I went to the automobile repair shop to have it diagnose and the code came up for camshaft position sensors I had them replaced, then my car started hesitating to start and the check engine light would come on and then go off while I was driving and I would drive it for about 30 mins and the check engine light would come back on again stay on for a little while and go back off again, I took it to the dealership again and I was inform that it was the timing chain but I didn't believe it, because I had just replaced the sensors and the spark plugs and I didn't have that many miles on it and I have only had the car for 3 1/2 years, I still didn't believe it then my car started to hesitate on starting up and loosing power when I was driving it again, so I took it to another automobile repair shop that specialize in fixing mercedes benz and it came back with the same diagnose check engine light is due to timing chain, timing chain need replacing. I have already replace 2 camshaft position sensors on this car. I was told it will cost me around 5000.00 to fix it. I have always had my car maintenance service on time, I can't believe that this car is having this type of problems. I am so afraid to drive this car.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Engine · 46,700 miles · CA

At 46,000 miles my mercedes benz c250 began hesitating to start and then after starting made a slight grinding noise for 3 to 4 seconds. After the car had hesitated to start for several days the engine light then came on. When taken in for repair I was told the cam sensor as well as the cam gears needed to be replaced. I have done all scheduled maintenance on this vehicle and am a very conservative driver, as this car has very low miles for being a 2013 model. After a brief online search I found countless complaints from other consumers that had the exact same problem with their mercedes benz c250. If the vehicle is out of warranty the dealerships are unwilling to perform this work at any kind of discount because a formal recall has never been made for this engine model. This repair ranges in price from $4,000 to $5,000. This seems like an issue that urgently needs to be looked into as many consumers are being left to pay this excessive bill for an issue that I believe mercedes benz knows is a systemic problem with the engine in the c250 model.

Filed Nov 21, 2019 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz c250. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate and lose speed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to park place motorcars mercedes-benz dallas (located at 6113 lemmon ave, dallas, tx 75209, (214) 736-5753) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure continued. The vehicle was taken to park place motorcars mercedes-benz arlington (located at 4201 beltway pl, arlington, tx 76018, (833) 666-5434) where it was diagnosed that an unknown component within the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to park place motorcars mercedes-benz fort worth (located at 5601 bryant irvin rd, fort worth, tx 76132, (817) 310-9745), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to park place motorcars mercedes-benz grapevine (817‑310‑9748, located at 1300 texan trail, grapevine, tx 76051), but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of plano (located at 6455 dallas pkwy, plano, tx 75024) where it was diagnosed that the solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred within days. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.*dt consumer stated this is my second complaint to mercedes benz, my 1st complaint 11-4-19. The last time visit of 10-14-19 my car was towed in due my car slowing down and received a light on car overheating and I was 5 minutes in driving. I called my aunt to let her know what my car was doing and it was slowing down drastically, so she could get behind me. I was able to safely pull over. I popped the hood and saw nothing but smoke. Once I cut the car back on I saw there were the fluid was coming from which was a hose from the coolant and the tow guy was able to tell me what it was.

Filed Nov 6, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 9,675 miles · GA

Constant issues with vehicle acceleration. For example when try to accelerate from a stop the car hesitates for several seconds even with significant pressure on gas pedal then suddenly accelerates in a very jerky fashion. This is very dangerous when trying to pull out into traffic or make a left hand turn crossing multiple traffic lanes. Have also had similar problems when car is traveling on highway and need to accelerate quickly, the car hesitates for several seconds and then jerks into gear and speeds up. I don't drive my car that much because I work from home and take cabs on weekends when going out but had a friend drive the car with me to see what they thought and they said they definitely noticed the issue. I am taking my car to the dealership to see if they will make repairs but I have a feeling like others who have submitted a complaint I will be told nothing is wrong. I just happened across this website and thought I would see if the problem was just my car but 11 of 13 complaints are the exact same issue as mine. Why hasn't the ntsb issued a recall? Does someone or a bunch or people have to die first??

Filed Nov 5, 2014 · Airbags, Seat belts · 5,000 miles · TX

I've been experiencing a hesitation when accelerating in my 2013 mercedes benz c250. The back seat belts stopped working. The passenger airbag light all of the sudden now states it is off.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 21,864 miles · CA

I've been experiencing a hesitation when accelerating in my 2013 mercedes benz c250.

Filed Aug 12, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA

Sluggish accellaration. This has happened several times during the last 2 months. It has happen on a take off from a red to a green light. Where I'm completely stopped and from 0 MPH speed I start to accellarate & the car feels like it stalls, almost as if it's getting no fuel. I can have my foot totally down on the gas pedal & the car hesitates or doesn't move at all. I had an incident where I was behind a semi truck, I attempted to change lanes fast before incoming traffic. The car did not move & I almost got hit from behind because the car would not speed up when I tried to accellarate. I've had my best friend in the car while this took place & he was very scared & so was I. I'm not sure if the fuel injectors are pumping the gas fast enough to get the car moving. Then again, what do I know. I'm a girl. All I know is, something is wrong with this car & it's not safe to drive. This does not happen every time but it happens quite too often. I'm to the point now where I don't trust passing other cars and I'm extra cautious when having to pass cars or from lane to lane. I don't trust this car. I've contacted the dealership today & have an appointment to meet with max at the dealership in anaheim hills, ca. I'm hoping I can have an early termination of my lease or get into another car (hopefully a safe car).