2013 Mercedes-Benz C300: pulls to one side

Filed Sep 16, 2024 · Body, Brakes · IN

On several instances of breaking, my 2013 Mercedes Benz C300 pulls hard to the right and becomes very unstable. I assumed it was a brake problem by the way the car drove. I took it to my mechanic, who immediately identified the rear subframe had rusted so much that a control arm had broken loose from the subframe. The rear subframe acts as a foundation for the rear suspension and holds the backend together. Fortunately I was able to get this diagnosed prior to a serious accident. The car gets very unstable, especially at higher speeds, when braking. There are no warning lights that will catch this. This problem absolutely places both passengers and other cars on the road at risk of a collision when braking, especially on the highway at higher speeds. I am going to contact a local Mercedes Benz dealer to evaluate replacement of the damaged parts to ensure the car is safe to drive following repair. Based on the links below, it sounds like a known issue at Mercedes Benz. I was never notified of any issues or from prior service visits, or via mail notice from the manufacturer. My mechanic was shocked, to say the least. Hoping MB will take care of this dangerous problem without hassle. See: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 9, 2024 · Body · 82,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle pulled to the left before coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the subframe was rusted and needed to be replaced; however, the Salvage Title voided the extended warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Body · 134,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the left aggressively. The vehicle was driven to the residence; however, while driving, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a severely corroded rear subframe and that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2024 · Body · NY

Rear right side Subframe rusted and broke off. Vehicle pulled to the right while braking.

Filed Jul 8, 2022 · Suspension · KY

The item that has failed is the rear subframe of the vehicle. It is available to be viewed. It is still on my car, as it has not yet been replaced due to the cost. When braking, the front of the car will pull left and back feels like it is pulling to the right, as if you are spinning out. The problem is that the subframe is rusted out at under 100,000 miles. I just hit 100,000 and it has already broke completely. I was told by the dealership that this is a safety concern where the back of the vehicle could fall off, there words, not mine. I have been in contact with Mercedes Benz corporate and they said since I am past 50,000 miles, there is nothing they can do. There were no safety warnings, recalls or lights in the car that has given me any indication there was a problem until it broke and I felt it during breaking. This issue seems to have happened to many individuals driving the Mercedes C300, as it is not just a small number. Currently, MB has this backordered due to the number of cases. They should be responsible for a recall for the price paid for their vehicles.

Filed May 16, 2022 · Suspension · VA

2013 Mercedes Benz C300 4dr AWD. Corrosion of Rear Sub-Frame (aka "Rear Axle Carrier" or "Suspension Cross Member") (New Part #: 207-350-97-02. Old Part #: 204-350-01-41 + other numbers). Car experienced erratic behavior under all braking scenarios. Extremely dangerous behavior under heavy breaking (65 mph to 25 mph). Life threatening severity of issue. 2 personal experiences. 1: Stopping at a yellow light in a quick fashion (55-0 mph, no abs required), car pulled hard to left and almost pulled me into curbing on left hand side. It felt like the rear end was on ice and was going to do a 180 partial spin. 2: Pulling off a highway into a turning lane and braked hard to slow down for right hand turn (65-15 mph). Car pulled about 8 feet left and almost put me back into full speed traffic. Same uncontrollable "on ice" feeling. I was on a road trip and had car towed to independent mechanic in the town I was visiting. He found holes throughout rear sub-frame member on drivers side and passenger side. Mounting points for suspension components were not structurally sound. He said I was lucky the control arm didn't break loose and puncture the gas tank. Corrosion was limited to sub-frame. The rest of car was "Nearly Perfect" in the words of the mechanic. Called Mercedes Corporate and they advised towing car to local MB dealer for inspection. MB Lancaster determined car was unsafe to drive. I am currently pursuing a good will repair case that has been initially denied. Parts are back ordered for 10+ weeks. I've called several dealers to source the part and nearly dealers have orders placed to Germany for these sub frames. Repair + alignment is approximately 4k USD. In 2018, Mercedes has issued Official Service Information Supplemental Notes (SI35.00-P0009A) to technicians to look for premature corrosion issues. This is free of charge replacement in UK and Germany already and a recall in Canada. US needs to catch up quick before death occurs.

Filed Mar 26, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · NJ

While driving normal highway speed and braking suddenly the car violently pulls to left. Same occurs when driving normal city traffic . Good afternoon I am following up on a major safety issue #11453988 concerning a 2013 C300 Mercedes. I reported this a few weeks ago as this safety defect can cause personnel injury when the defective part fails . As noted earlier during normal braking the car pulls hard to left or right . With normal highway speed driving and emergency braking the car will violently pull left or right possibility into oncoming traffic and or fixed objects . Please reply with update into this major safety defect concern . PS the part number in question has been changed from number 2043500141 with new number 2073509702. This part is not available in the US currently and has a lead time of 30 days from Germany. With the long lead time and the need to travel to work it is a major safety issue that can be avoided. Thanks George

Filed Feb 15, 2022 · Suspension · OH

This is a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 4matic Luxury model, with about 110K miles. It started making beating noise and pulling to the right when brakes were applied. Driving became quite dangerous especially at a higher speed, and the driver had to steer the car very carefully to compensate the fish-tailing. It also affected braking as well. There was no warnings from the car, but the noise, the fish-tailing and uneven braking were really bad. A M-B certified mechanic inspected the car, and identified the problem as the rear sub-frame that has rusted out, and lost 1 of the 4 anchors. The whole sub-frame will have to be replaced. Estimated costs will be USD4k-5k, and may take a month due to shortage of parts. For a major structural part on a premium-brand car to rust, within 10 years, to the extent that driving is rendered dangerous, it is not acceptable. A safety recall should be issued on this, and M-B should bear the costs.

Filed Dec 23, 2021 · Body · TN

COMPONENT FAILURE - Broken rear cross member driver side. Total and Complete failure and separation of rear mount from cross member due to corrosion of components. Passenger side rear cross member at same location found to be "near-failure" state at same location during replacement. (Rear cross member is physically available for inspection and photos are also available). Overall condition of the cross member is excellent other than at the TWO locations where the mounts connect to the cross member which have extensive corrosion, rust thru and failure at driver's side. SAFETY - Safety was put at risk as the car would pull to left when brakes were applied and it continued to get worse, fortunately we limped the car to a repair location before a fatal accident occurred. The worse part of this whole situation is that Mercedes has encountered this issue before (per research on web sites) and has chosen to not address in the United States. Per research, they have recalled this issue in both the UK and Canada as well as specific dealers in Germany have reimbursed owners for repairs of this issue. This vehicle had recently been to the dealer for services and Firestone for tires and alignment and nobody had noticed the severity of rust. WARNING - No warning lamps, the only advance notice was the vehicle starting to pull toward the left which is what prompted us to seek out repair service. Once, the repair service (Firestone) immediately saw the total failure of the mount disconnected from the subframe they immediately diagnosed the problem with the car pulling to the left.

Filed Dec 10, 2021 · Body, Suspension · FL

While driving at low speed, there was a sudden imbalance in the steering wheel and the car started to pull to the right. The problem was more exaggerated while breaking with significant fishtailing. I immediately took the vehicle to Mercedes-Benz dealership who diagnosed the problem as severely rusted subframe with corrosion and structural instability especially near the rear passenger side wheel. The car is Mercedes C300 4Matic 2013. The incident happened on November 24, 2021. Mileage is 77,000 miles. Should I have waited longer, there was a very high probability of complete breakdown of the subframe which would result in rollover posing high risk of injury and death to the driver and other people on the road.

Filed Nov 10, 2021 · Body, Steering · OH

Vehicle subframe has rusted through and parts of left rear suspension components are free, and one is about to poke a hole in the fuel tank. The right side is about to do the same. Everyone’s safety is at high risk with this problem. The car abruptly pulls to the left when applying the brakes as well as causing the car to shimmy on the interstate. I took it to my mechanic who to.d me what has happened, and I had it towed to the Mercedes dealership who confirmed the problem. When you search the internet you find a highly alarming number of people who have this same problem on 2009-2014 C300 models please do something before someone gets killed.

Filed Oct 29, 2021 · Brakes, Suspension · 99,800 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, she started to hear an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to her residence however while depressing the brake pedal the vehicle was pulling to the left. The contact continued driving to her residence. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver’s side rear axle and brake line was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800.