Mercedes-Benz C250 hesitation problems

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 Jul 12, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

I was driving on the highway my car sort of hesitated for a brief second then continued on as if nothing about one mile later my car began to slow down while I was in traffic so asap I pulled over at this point I could only go about 40 miles per hour which was very terrifying at that time it came a complete stop. After restarting the car 3-4 times it stayed running I continue home which was about 12 miles from my current location. For the next few days I did not go any where. I then had an appointment to have the 80,000 mile maintenance I mentioned the problem I was then told I need a throttle body replacement costing more than $2000 that I can not afford. At that time I started researching my own problem. My relative who works on 18 wheel truck for a living, . that perhaps it just may need cleaning rather than replacement . Also per my research this happens quite often with this model it also stated that Mercedes C250 was the worst Mercedes of that year many many owners have had this problem. The yellow ESP light come on saying it is off also my hold brake no longer works. It work at my prior dealer appointment it while going to appointment afterwards it did not work since over 9 years seldom used I wasn't concerned thus that is the message that appears when car fails Mercedes wants me to pay I believe $2000 problem not needed

Filed Apr 3, 2024 · Engine · 56,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, an abnormal rumbling noise was detected. The vehicle had hesitated to start. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Airbags, Brakes · 60,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, she depressed the brake pedal but it hesitated to respond. As a result, excessive force was applied to the brake pedal in order to slow down the vehicle. Due to the failure, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the barrier wall and the metal fence. No air bags were deployed. The contact's daughter sustained a fractured nose, lip laceration, and other unknown facial injuries due to the driver hitting the steering wheel during the impact. No medical attention was contacted yet but will be in the future. A police report was filed. The police transferred the vehicle from the crash site to a tow yard where the police are awaiting the insurance adjustor. Damages were to the front end. The manufacturer nor the dealer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 60,000

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 Jul 1, 2020 · Engine · 78,982 miles · WA

In a mercedes benz c250 2012-2014 there has been many reports across the united states where camshaft adjusters+timing chain components fail/break. This is a highly risk and safety matter that needs to be addressed by mercedes benz as recall. Being newer model cars, the timing chain and camshaft adjusters should not fail. Not even at 100k miles. Some of these models has had their camshaft adjusters+ timing chain fail at 46k miles. Why is mercedes not owning up to these factory faults? Why are new models that are not even 10 years old have this kind of issue? This defect can cause major accidents on the road. Cause you go at highway/freeway speed 60 MPH and your timing chain breaks, you can cause a major accident with other cars, and injure your own self and passengers. Can you imagine for those who have babies and drive these vehicles. Why is a hugecompany like mercedes not owning up to these defects? Instead they want to charge $4,000-$8,000 to get this repair done. Even if you have warranty they still hesitate on getting this repair done. I just want to be heard because being one of the many reports with this issue on these vehicles, it's concerning to see many of these vehicles still out on the road. When these parts have are failing, you will get a check engine light that reads "p034062" camshaft position sensor bank 1 electrical failure" after getting diagnosed by many shops, and even mercedes benz dealer all the test say the wiring and everything else is ok. Camshaft adjusters are failing will need replacing + timing chain & tensioner. But why on such a newer car? It should run about 200k miles until it needs a new timing chain. Cars being serviced at correct interval & being well maintained. This should not be a issue. Engine when start up will rattle. It will sound like engine is falling apart. Plus car will run really rough.

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 Jun 4, 2019 · Engine · TX

My c250 started making a noise when you first start the car. Choking and hesitations to start, but yet would start after a moment or 2. The noise was unfamiliar. This noise would continue through out the day, as long as the car set for more than 15-20 minutes. I would go into the store, to shop come back out to the car an the noise would still be there after 15-20 minutes. I took my car to the mercedes benz dealer in houston, texas north. After a $200 diagnose cost. The cam shaft adjuster is out. Costing another $4,575.68. My car is a 2012, which I brought in 2014 with less than 7,000 miles. Now it is 2019 with only 87,885 miles on my car, I don't know what this part is for or why my car needs this. All I know it cost $4,575.68. Way to much for something I know nothing about. Can't get in touch with manufactory to complain and mercedes headquarter hasn't return my call. Please give me advise, as to what to do with my complaint.

Filed Apr 27, 2019 · Engine · 46,000 miles · CA

Dealership diagnosed problem with camshaft adjusters. This happened 2 times already on the same vehicle, and it is very costly to fix ($4000). First time I had a rattling noise from engine, and check engine light on. First time it happened at 46k miles. Second time car hesitates to start, had long cranking, it happened at 69k miles. It is a systematic, very costly and potentially life threatening problem.