Mercedes-Benz C250 engine failure problems

Filed Aug 19, 2025 · Steering · 70,664 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-250. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V252000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the recall repair was completed in 2018. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. After several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. The contact deactivated the push start button and attempted to start the vehicle with the key whoever, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering wheel had seized due to the steering coupling connecting bolt. The vehicle remained at the dealer pending the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer was contacted prior to the dealer repairing the vehicle in 2018. The contact was advised to take the vehicle back to the dealer, where the repair was completed in 2018, to have the vehicle inspected, and if the part that failed was the part replaced under the recall, the manufacturer would pay for the additional repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was not drivable and that the dealer was three hours away. The failure mileage was approximately 70,664.

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Electrical · 143,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the anti-lock theft prevention feature failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was seized, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact was informed by the tow truck driver that the failure was due to the electronic lockout system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Engine · FL

On December 14, 2022 at approximately 3:45 pm in rush hour traffic in the high speed lane on i-75 in Bradenton, Fl, the 2014 Mercedes C250 I was driving lost total engine power, traveling from 80mph to 0 in seconds. I had just enough time because of the momentum of the speed I was traveling at to maneuver the car into the breakdown lane adjacent to a median construction site. Had I been traveling in the middle lane there would have been insufficient time to change lanes in heavy, fast traveling traffic and get to a breakdown lane. In other words, we could have been killed. There was no check engine light nor warning lights of any kind. The engine was quiet and there was no engine rattling noise or shuddering prior to the incident during over 7 hours of travel from Marietta, Georgia into Florida. The car had been purchased from a used car dealer in Marietta two days before and had passed the Georgia emissions test on 11/18/22. We had the car towed to a Mercedes Benz dealership 20 miles away in Sarasota. On 12/16/22 Mercedes mechanics deemed the catastrophic engine failure to be due to a broken timing chain (this was confirmed in a conversation12/21 with Mercedes Sarasota Service Manager Jim Foulkrod) and that there was no compression in the engine. Among the codes which came up during Mercedes multi-point inspection was 036562, exhaust cam signal and 34164. Mercedes’ estimate to fix the car was $24,222.13. We declined to move forward with engine repairs. Mercedes was threatening to charge storage fees so the car was donated to the charity, Veteran Car Donations, Heroes on the Water which towed the car on 12/20/22. The car remains with the charity awaiting title transfer information.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Engine · CA

Faulty camshaft adjusters creating timing chain to stretch and tensioners to fail , causing excessive wear to the crankshaft and wear of the teeth resulting in catastrophic damage and complete engine failure ( I have not replaced this timing chain or camshaft adjuster yet but i can hear the timing chain rattling from the defective parts from manufacturer. )

Filed Aug 12, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · FL · 2 injuries

The components of the engine being the camshaft adjusters, timing guide, timing chain, valves and pistons that all work to deliver power are faulty and have failed literally mid-drive. I was on a busy interstate during rush hour and nearly lost control of the vehicle as it just powered out while driving at 70 mph then forcing a semi to nearly terminate myself and family. The dependability and safety is abruptly ripped out from underneath you. Without even being able to control the vehicle and it coming to an abrupt, unsafe hault. There were no warning signs. The vehicle has since been looked at and informed me that an extended warranty is in place for half of all the parts and labor above.all should be covered and for safety.my nerves are a wreck and without a way to afford an entirely new engine I am left to contend with car payments for an unsafe undrivable vehicle. Since then the dealership recognized my concerns but has since stated that without a modification to the extended warranty or it being made a recall that there is nothing that can be done.

Filed Mar 24, 2022 · Engine · CA

The camshaft adjuster failed on my vehicle and created start up issues and had to be replaced at 123K miles. While not an immediate safety concern, the camshaft adjuster failure could lead to engine failure and is an inherent issue in this vehicle make and model. This is a flaw in the vehicle and Mercedes did not notify me of any recall or warranty terms.The repair code was confirmed and repaired by an authorized Mercedes dealer for $2800.There were no warning lamps however I experienced engine start up issues. I contacted Mercedes as was advised they would open a case to review potentially partial warranty coverage however did not receive any type of resolution.

Filed Aug 26, 2021 · Engine · MD

I purchased this 2012 C250 Mercedes from Carmax of Waldorf on 04/26/2017, with 20,046 miles on it. I informed Carmax the engine light was on and the car was rattling at start. I also reported the oil dipstick was broken. When the car was returned, the dipstick was replaced, coolant light off and engine light was off; however, the rattling at start up continued. I reported the problem to Carmax several months later and they pretty much denied fault and went as far to say the car is just cold and does that at startup. For further protection I signed with carshield as my wife drives the car. The car's rattling continued at startup and eventually became difficult to start. I took it to Mercedes of Arlington, Virginia and they stated the timing gear and chain needed replacing. carshield reported back to me that it was a preexisting problem and wouldn't fix it. Meanwhile, we were stuck with a car we were paying on with no one taking the blame. Following research, I found that this is a recurring problem with the 2012 C250 model but there is no recall. I eventually paid approximately $5000 for the engine to be repaired as the engine failed. The engine is currently rattling again; with the engine light coming on constantly. this seems to be a common problem, however, with to consequences and accountability.

Filed Dec 30, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 117,000 miles · SC

I have been having issues with my vehicle since I purchased it. Starting with me not having enough power from a start, in an attempt to gain enough power to drive at a safe speed from the start, as if the vehicle lags & no matter the gasoline or service, the problem never corrects. When I'm trying to gain speed to maintain with the flow of traffic safely the vehicle lags notably before gaining speed. I'm now having to replace the engine bc the oil coolant hose burst while I was driving on the highway with my child in the car. My check engine light activated but the only notice displayed on the dash was the engine coolant when it was low. When the hose burst while I was driving about 60mph I heard a pop sound under the hood, saw smoke coming from the exhaust, then a clanking noise under the hood that got louder & louder until I was able to pull off of the highway, & then I noticed a very large amount of oil on the ground that left a trail along the ground from my vehicle. That was very dangerous as my vehicle lost power during that incident. I'm told by the mechanic, the engine has to be replaced. This happened without a warning. The mercedes benz is supposed to be a safe & reliable luxury vehicle & not a nightmare to have for the owner.

Filed Sep 9, 2020 · Engine · 38,000 miles · CA

2012 c250 purchased new from a dealer. Rattling on starting engine and check engine light is on. Spoke with my mechanic and it is due to faulty camshaft adjusters. Repair will cost $5000 plus and involves replacing the camshaft adjusters, timing chain and sprockets. This problem just started 10 days ago with approximately 38,000 miles on the odometer. Seems to be a well known problem and not an expense I can really afford on reduced income due to covid lockdown. I am very worried about driving this car as this problem can result in catastrophic engine failure and I am regularly on the freeway. Driving this car is no longer safe. I purchased a mercedes thinking their reputation for safety, quality and engineering would preclude such issues.

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CT

I was driving a of maybe ten minutes on the highway . As soon as I was off the highway ; the vehicle suddenly stopped without warning of a check engine light .(malfunction). Days before that the vehicle was serviced at a mercedes benz dealership without any issues. After their research I've been told that I need a new engine . There are complaints after complaints listed online in regards to engine failure, cam shaft adjusters etc. This is something that clearly needs to be handled . This could have caused a life threatening situation.