The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle unexpectedly pulled to one side and almost crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic and was diagnosed with corrosion on the rear sub frame, causing the vehicle to drift unexpectedly. The failure mileage was 87,000.
2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 body problems
61 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 68,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 61
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 68,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Body33
- Frame and members4
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Mercedes-Benz C300 body problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 body
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014-2020 C-Class, CLA, GLA, S-Class, GLC, and GLE vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, March 22,2024, and August 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall is an expansion of the federal safety agency recall number 21V‑197.
Recall number 23V854000 · Recall details
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 C300 Coupe, C43 Coupe AMG, C43 AMG, 2015-2020 C300, GLA250, 2016-2018 C350e, CLA45 Coupe AMG, 2015 C400, S65 AMG, 2015-2019 C63 AMG, 2016 C450, 2015-2016 GLA45 AMG, S600, 2016-2020 GLC300, 2017-2019 GLC43 AMG, GLE43 Coupe AMG, 2014-2019 CLA250 Coupe, 2014-2015 CLA45 AMG, 2018 GLC63 AMG, 2014-2017 S550, 2018-2020 S450, 2016-2019 GLE63 Coupe AMG, 2016 GLE450 Coupe, 2014-2020 S63 AMG, 2018-2019 S560, and 2019 GLC350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
- Risk
- The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mercedes-Benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021 and October 26, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 21V197000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Front Roof Panel Detachment
On January 8, 2021, after ongoing review with Mercedes Benz, the federal safety agency Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes) C-Class vehicles.The subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhesive, site preparation, and installation of a replacement panel with new adhesive.The consumer complaints that prompted the opening of PE21-001 all described detachments of front roof panels that had been replaced after the vehicle was put into service.Mercedes' internal investigation identified a broader scope of affected vehicles (2014-2020 CLA, GLA, C, S, GLC, and GLE class) and found the following potential service procedure- related causes of front roof panel detachments:- Improper surface pretreatments such as the use of the wrong primer or cleaner or scoring of the surface; or - Use of the incorrect adhesive.These conditions lead to a front roof panel bond that, even if sound at the time of repair, cannot maintain its strength over time and environmental exposure.Mercedes updated its service and parts ordering systems to reinforce the proper use of specified kits and procedures via webinars, shop foreman meetings, and explicit reference to the risks incurred by diverging from the repair procedures. Mercedes is also furnishing parts ordering assistance, and will hold dealerships accountable for improper repairs.ODI's analysis of the ten complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and MBUSA's complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE21-001 identified a total of 57 non-duplicative reports alleging incidents in which the front roof panel detached from the vehicle while in motion. Included within the 57 reports are incidents where consumers state the panel detached ...and flew off into traffic.On March 19, 2021, Mercedes notified the federal safety agency that it would recall subject vehicles with front roof panels known to have been replaced after the original sale of the vehicle. In total, the recall (designated as Recall 21V197) covers 15,099 vehicles that were ever registered in the United States. Based on Recall 21V197 and the remedy implemented by Mercedes, further investigation does not appear to be warranted at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at under the following ODI identification numbers: 11376425, 11352686, 11351629, 11349158, 11341541, 11337594, 11324100, 11311591, 11222127, 11404183
PE21001
What 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was two large holes and rust located on the rear subframe, an unknown part needed to be realigned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was confirmed that the rear subframe and another unknown part needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. While the contact’s son was driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle veered to the left and into the next lane when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was cautiously driven back to the residence and parked. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the rear subframe had severe rust and was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the manufacturer’s extended warranty coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle fishtailed on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was raised on a lift, and the mechanic discovered that the rear subframe was severely corroded. The mechanic determined that the failure was associated with Manufacturer Communication Number: MC-10232321 (Structure); and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the failure was confirmed, and it was discovered that the rear subframe had separated. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair and was informed that goodwill assistance would not be provided. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer was unreachable. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the exterior of the vehicle and became aware that the moon roof panel had detached, and the moon roof panel flew off the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V197000 (Structure) in 2021. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 62,612.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the body of the vehicle shifted to one side. The vehicle was drivable after the failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. An independent mechanic was contacted, and it was determined that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was not available.
Rear subframe rusted out, car is not safe to drive
I’m the owner of a Mercedes Benz C- Class Sedan 2015. My Rear Sub Frame Rusted Through at The right trailing arm - Fails state inspection. Mercedes Benz has issued a extended 20 year warranty on all vehicles from 2008 - 2015 C - Class Sedan for Rear Sub Frame that rusted out. Mercedes Benz service advisor stated that my vehicle was not under that extended warranty when he run my vehicle Vin number. My vehicle should be under that warranty, I have the same problem with the same vehicles on the list. Please help. Thank you
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for the State Inspection, the contact was informed that the rear subframe was rusted, and there was a hole on each side of the rear subframe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was made, and the dealer ordered an unknown part to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a routine maintenance check, the contact was informed that there was severe corrosion on the subframe of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and that several failures might occur due to the failure. The contact stated that recently, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle swerved, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that there was a warranty on the vehicle related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Questions about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 body
Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 have body problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the body of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300, 16% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 68,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 body?
Yes, 2 recalls: 23V854000, 21V197000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes-Benz C300 have the most body problems?
The Mercedes-Benz C300 model years with the most body complaints are 2015 (61 complaints), 2013 (58 complaints) and 2012 (55 complaints).
Other 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Engine 128Fuel system 70Electrical 50Steering 23Suspension 22Transmission 20Driver assistance 18Visibility 16Airbags 12Brakes 9Wheels 8Acceleration 5Tires 3Seat belts 2Seats 2Lights 1
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