Mercedes-Benz C300 harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Transmission · MN

At 94,000 miles my car started making a weird noise, before i could even get it into the shop my driveshaft completely failed (at the u-joint, where this has been reported multiple times) My car started clunking and banging in the middle of the road and became extremely unsafe to drive, as well as putting me in an unsafe situation. This been reported to happen on highways as well, which is an extreme safety concern. This in turn damaged my transmission and catalytic converter. 7,000$ in damages for me, some cases reported over 10,000$ in damages. this has been a reoccurring problem in the 2008-2015 c classes. The nature and severity of this case is unwarranted and absolutely a manufacturing issue, especially given the low milage this occurs at.

Filed May 7, 2025 · Steering · 70,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the front suspension of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack locknuts, observing that the steering rack had become loosened. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V850000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Steering · 78,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 10 MPH, there was a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact shifted into drive and while driving approximately 15-20 MPH, the clunking sound persisted, and the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the aluminum bolts in the drive shaft had corroded and sheared off. The contact was informed that the steering rack and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer had been informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the Service Campaign Number: 2019080019 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed the Service Campaign Number: 2019080019 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2024 · WI

Front drive shaft on 2015 Mercedes Benz C-300 severed from u-joint(s) on highway, causing catastrophic failure of components and significant damage to front exhaust, catalytic converter, and heat shields. Damaged observed on transmission and/or engine block. The approximate cost to repair was $6,500.00 in parts and labor. Failure of subject component(s) resulted in loss of some control and acceleration. Prior to failure, observed increasing vibration from center of vehicle while exceeding 65 mph but no more than 80 on highway. Audible clunking noise when shifting from "park" or "neutral" to "drive." No warning lamps and/or messages regarding failed component(s). Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, and/or insurance representatives. Dealer provided inspection and findings.

Filed Nov 17, 2022 · Suspension · PA

I was driving my 2011 MB C300 40 MPH on a straight suburban road when the light turned red. I applied the brakes and heard a clunk from the rear. Surprisingly, the car swerved with a right turn yaw moment. Normally I enjoy driving my car, but that never happened before. So I tried it again in the next block and it yawed again. That’s not right. My mechanic happened to be just down the road so I pulled in. He told me that the rear subframe had rusted out and the car was unsafe to drive. Furthermore, he would not attempt welding it because the metal is too far gone. A new replacement part is unavailable from the dealership and back ordered from Germany for months. Used part will also be rusty. My car with 77k miles on it is suddenly worthless. Mercedes-Benz “The Best and then Nothing”

Filed Nov 5, 2022 · Suspension · PA

Applied brakes coming down a slight grade and vehicle made a clunking noise and became unstable. Pulled and pitched as brakes were applied and released. Upon checking brakes it was very visible that the rear subframe had failed on the right side and the left was severely compromised. I hard braking situation would have resulted in a crash… The severe damage was not visible a week ago until it rotted out from the inside and failed under load.

Filed Oct 30, 2022 · Suspension · NY

While driving home last night (with passenger), I experienced a sudden pull to left and wobble\oscillation of the car when I made steering corrections to prevent vehicle from going into oncoming traffic. Car seemed to behave normally except whenever I applied the brakes. I proceeded home, where I inspected for the obvious such as brake calipers, pads. rotors etc. Then I removed the rear left tire. This was due to a clunking sound that seemed to come from that area. Everything looked OK until I saw a front lower suspension part (a plastic covered pressed metal strut connecting the lower part of the wheel\rotor assembly to large U-shaped frame member which had multiple welded attachments and brackets) just hanging there unattached on one (forward) end. The bracket it was bolted to was just sheared off. Looked like it rusted to the point of finally tearing itself off of the frame. There was no warning of this condition either by sensors/lights/etc. or the performance of the vehicle when driving it. The defective braking action was sudden. This is NO SMALL ISSUE! After reading of the numerous reports of this very same problem I have to say I am amazed that NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO PREVENT THE FIRST DEATHS AND INJURIES THAT WILL MOST LIKELY OCCUR FROM THIS. This is a danger to the occupants of the principle vehicle, pedestrians, as well as other vehicles in the immediate vicinity, moving or stationary. This can happen at high speeds, slow speeds, in traffic with other vehicles around the car or humans on sidewalks. I can clearly see that this is not a small repair as it looks like the entire rear assembly would need to be taken apart and reconstructed in order to replace the part. I have also read that this issue is not only common but that it has been recalled in Canada and Europe by Mercedes for repair. I guess we are waiting for the first deaths to occur before our American safety agencies can take action? Really?

Filed Sep 12, 2022 · Body · PA

- Right Rear Subframe; Yes, available for inspection. - My mechanic told me that driving the car more than 2 miles or at a high rate of speed was very dangerous. He told me there that if the car braked quickly or was driven at a high rate of speed that there was a very good chance of an accident. There is a risk of the right control arm detaching from the frame; this could cause the car to be uncontrollable with the right rear wheel and control arm detaching from the vehicle. - Yes, the issue was confirmed by my mechanic, who works at an independent service center. - No. - There were no warning lamps or messages. I had begun to hear a loud clunking noise, usually when braking.

Filed Jul 25, 2022 · Body · IL

I noticed my Mercedes 2013 C300 (approx 89,000 miles) was acting peculiar when braking, it basically fishtailed like i was on ice, especially at a high speed on the interstate. It was very scary. It was also making clunking noises and did not handle on curves very well. Brought it to a local garage as the nearest dealer is over an hour away. Found out the rear subframe is broken on the rear passenger side and the other side very close to breaking. Not only that, but when I called a garage that specializes in German cars, he immediately guessed it was a C Class Mercedes, and when I googled it, this issue came up repeatedly. How this has not been addressed by Mercedes is beyond me, will it take a horrendous crash? Because I was almost a statistic. No warning lamps or messages. This design flaw needs addressed immediately. And now I have no vehicle as it is UNSAFE to drive and will cost me around $3,000 to fix IF they can get the part. Sent an email to Mercedes Benz, they advised recalls and service campaigns are VIN specific and to contact the federal safety agency. And the email closed with "Best wishes for safe and pleasant driving."

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Brakes · CA

When I brake the car makes a clunking noise and I can feel a thumping on the brake pedal as I try and bring the car to a stop. This car is brand new. I have owned it for almost 3 weeks and it has less than 100 miles on it. You can both hear and feel the the clunk/thump as you attempt to brake the car. It seems as if it is coming from the drivers side of the car. I actually heard and felt this issue on May 23, 2022 3 days after I took delivery of the car. But I wasnt sure exactly what I felt. I haven’t Devine the car a lot until yesterday due to some medical issues I was having. Yesterday the issue was very bad every time I braked I could hear the clunk noise and feel it on my brake pedal. Contacted dealer and they have no reported issues. Car is going for service today. I am reporting this because it affects the brakes and that could be dangerous if the car is unable to be stopped.