2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 brakes problems

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Brakes, Wheels · OH

Rear brakes backing plates rotted prematurely despite garage kept and well maintained status. While driving, noticed loud scraping and grinding noises from the rear left wheel. Took to mechanic and he found severe rust, with deep corrosion and flaking "rotted". He said I was lucky because this was very close to causing the entire brake assembly to fail, which would lead to serious braking problems or "locked out wheel" and loss of control on a highway which would have put me and others at risk. Had similar rust issues with this car that were fixed in the recent past including rusted brake lines and rusted rear subframe. There is definitely something wrong with the manufacturing as the rear subframe had been recalled and got it fixed that way less than a year ago.

Filed Oct 25, 2025 · Brakes · MA

Car was Off and parked when brake line failed. Further inspection was able to identify that brake pipes was slowly corroded thought entire lower part of the brake system causing critical failure of brakes. Extreme safety issue due to the material of metal/coating and position of brake pipping. If operator was not observant, operator/driver would not have any braking and could cause harm.

Filed Aug 29, 2024 · Brakes · WI

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and almost went all the way to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to stop as needed, requiring an increased effort to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 24, 2024 · Brakes · NY

Rear brake line rusted through land leaked all the break fluid rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive due to the complete failure of the breaking system. The location of the break line corrosion is above the rear differential and next to a retainer clip.

Filed May 24, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 84,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the brakes were not functioning properly. The contact had to pump the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The cruise control, ABS, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was diagnosed with a failure with the electronic stabilizing program control unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed May 21, 2024 · Brakes · MA

The brake lines have corroded in multiple places causing brake fluid to leak, potentially creating a safety risk had the problem not been immediately observed and corrected. An independent service center confirmed the problem and replaced all the brake lines and hoses. There were no warning lamps or signals. A puddle of brake fluid under the car was the first indication of a problem.

Filed Nov 27, 2022 · Brakes, Suspension · CT

The subframe and the brake lines are very faulty in this car when it comes to its design. The subframe and brake lines rust easily and are cheaply made for this car. My car break down while driving making it hard to have pressure on the brakes. My incident was around the school area. There were no accidents or collisions Involved. It could happen to adults and children. The dealer never confirmed this problem before selling it to me. Another manufacturer told me about this problem. The car showed warning signs like the braking system and brake fluid. The brake fuel was leaking. The problem appeared when I started the car.

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Body, Brakes · MD

08/15/2022 (date statement was wrote not date of incident) While driving into work at 50 miles an hour, traffic started to slow. While applying brake heard loud pop and vehicle rear end lounged right making steering difficult, I immediately released the brake and control came back I then gently applied the brake again to slow vehicle and felt slight clump from rear. This was very disconcerting my vehicle never had performed in that manner which made me feel very uncomfortable continuing driving, I had mechanic look at vehicle and was told the rear subframe had rusted and the rear left control arm broke away from frame??? My vehicle is very well maintain and just a little over 11 years old. Feeling belittled I began investing Mercedes’ forums and found this has been an issue with some of not all models and nothing has been done to correct this defect. I contacted Mercedes’ Benz and the service department knew exactly what it was and stated the is no recall on these failing subframe due to rust. This is a very serious safety issue due to the fact of loosing control of the vehicle when this component fails possibly causing serious injury or even death. To put insult to injury Mercedes has no plan to replace it and it’s left to the consumer to replace this non maintenance item. Looking into forums about this issue these subframes have failed at almost every odometer mileages, particularly the w204 chassis 2008-2014. A safety recall should be advised to the consumers whom own such vehicles!! Safety First!!!!!!!!! Respectfully, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · KY

The rear subframe is rusted and broken, alignment is out, and steering wheel is off centered. Given the history of this model car, it has been under recall in multiple countries outside the United States. This is a common and very dangerous issue that needs to be addressed in the United States because if you call any auto shop or Mercedes they all say it is a common problem with 2008-2014 C-class models. When you look up this issue with this car it has multiple threads saying that the rear subframe has rusted and broke when it is not supposed to.

Filed Jun 6, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · NJ

My 2011, 300C has 116,000 miles. Driving the car I notices that when I applied brakes car swayed to the left. Concerned I brought vehicle to MB in Paramus, NJ. Was told that rear sub-frame was rusted and dislodged along with the brake lines, also rusted. Car was serviced every 10k miles as recommended by dealer and just now these issues were identified. I recently also was told that the fuel tank was also rusted out and needed to be replaced. These issued were a danger to me and my family and could have resulted in potential deaths. MB does not have any recalls for these problems but I believe the federal safety agency should initiate a recall as many others have had these problems. A google search has identifies a large number of people having these same problems. Below are 2 videos of the problem. https://app.mykaarma.com/service-cart/mpi/BfGpB6lKrWaYxN3TKQFzqa2MgCzxYgihmma6Ker7cFE/check/Your_CAR_CHECK_ID/media/0/view/1 https://api.mykaarma.com/video-walkaround/details?inspection_uuid=629e0e431dd41d3dfba54fd1&fileType=video No warnings messages or previous symptoms occurred and even though car was serviced every 10k miles, dealer Neve identified any of the concerns. How can that be when brake lines are rusted. Dealer refuses to take any responsibility and MB Germany has yet to respond to my various emails. Please review as these issues have life and death implications and a Recall should be initiated by the federal safety agency.