2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 body & structure problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

46 owners have reported body & structure problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300, 27% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 106,750 mi.

Body & Structure complaints
46
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
106,750 mi

Specific components reported

Body & Structure covers: Frame, body panels, doors, latches, locks, hood and trailer hitches.

ComponentComplaints
Structure:body32
Structure:frame and members9
Structure3
Structure:frame and members:underbody shields2
Structure:body:door:handle:interior1

Body & Structure complaints across Mercedes-Benz C300 years

3200820200912201046201152201257201382014512015252016
Body & Structure complaints by model year. The 2011 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k560k–100k7100k–150k4150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Nov 11, 2024NYBody & StructureOther / Unknown
    Rear subframe , so I went in for an alignment and was quickly notified and denied service due to my rear sub frame being broken. Car is reported to be unsafe by the tire company.no lights etc. My family and I could of seriously been hurt. I can retrieve a statement from dun tire in auburn and from mercedes. They are charging me 641.00 and I'm without a vehicle for 2wks
    NHTSA complaint #11624585 · source
  2. Filed Jun 11, 2024TXBody & Structure
    Interior door handle becomes inoperative due to breaking of some internal element. This prevents leaving the vehicle. Of concern is that in case of emergency, the occupant cannot exit the vehicle. If power is affected, the windows cannot be lowered which is the only way to exit using the exterior door handle. This is a well known defect of this series of Mercedes Benz to which the manufacturer has not accepted responsibility.
    NHTSA complaint #11593665 · source
  3. Filed Apr 30, 2024CTBody & Structure
    So i was using my car daily for go to work and I was on the highway and they happened a accident in front of me so I have to slow down due to the accident i was going 70 miles per hour and when made a hard break my car turn sideways due to the rear subframe was broke and I dint even notice that the part was rotten they i start looking online and I noticed that the majority of those car come with that factory issue.
    NHTSA complaint #11586041 · source
  4. Filed Nov 3, 2023VA3 injuredBody & StructureSuspension
    The subframe has rusted/fallen off. This is incredibly risky as the car cannot be driven safely and it happened without warning. My mechanic said it is not due to any driving incidents but through rust occurring on Mercedes' subframes, which are flimsy. It has been inspected professionally by a mechanic. There are NO warning lamps. This could kill someone on the highway as while braking the car veered left and right. I had small children in the car we all neck pain from the…
    NHTSA complaint #11553395 · source
  5. Filed Aug 22, 2023OHBody & StructureOther / UnknownSuspension
    2011 C300 4matic Sport I'm very concerned about the front subframe after going over the invoice and everything that was replaced on the rear subframe due to a recall Mercedes issued. But wait doesn't the whole subframe have severe rust corrosion all throughout yes it does per mechanic/technician. I'm having steering issues while driving the vehicle when applying the breaks the vehicle pulls very hard to the left the whole car swerves to the left very dangerously. After…
    NHTSA complaint #11539978 · source
  6. Filed Apr 14, 2023WIBody & StructureSuspension
    Like apparently the majority of this model year C300, the rear subframe is completely disintegrated. This is a known issue but Mercedes has not communicated it nor fixed it. I was told, and as the photos clearly indicate, this very likely could have resulted in a catastrophic or fatal accident as the entire rear is corroded. I have photo and video support as well as the inspection from a mechanic.
    NHTSA complaint #11517129 · source
  7. Filed Apr 14, 2023NJBody & Structure
    Good morning. I previously reported incident [XXX] about a subframe issue w/ my 2011 Mercedes Benz C-300. This morning I received a warranty extension from the originally expired 4 years/50,000 mile to 20 years/unlimited miles. The notice says that repairs must be performed by an authorized Mercedes Benz dealership. I had the auto fixed privately and filed the NHTSA request. I called their CS and was told that I would need to visit a dealership, but to be honest I think that…
    NHTSA complaint #11517021 · source
  8. Filed Mar 28, 202382,242 miPABody & StructureVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owned a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he noticed that the inside of the vehicle was flooded with water. The contact then stated that he noticed that water had leaked from the sunroof and entered the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness was severely…
    NHTSA complaint #11514167 · source
  9. Filed Mar 21, 2023OHBody & StructureSuspension
    My vehicle has been making very odd noises, the steering wheel keeps looking off center and the car is kicking/fishtailing at times without warning. Our mechanic has looked at the car SEVERAL times and finally discovered that the sub frame is completely rusted out and broken. We were told not to drive the vehicle anymore as it is extremely dangerous. After researching about this issue, we found that a class action lawsuit was filed in February 2023 for corrosion/rusting out…
    NHTSA complaint #11512961 · source
  10. Filed Feb 5, 2023NJBody & Structure
    Took my 2011 C300 4matic to a local mechanic after I noticed a dramatic pulling sensation to the left after braking. After mechanic's inspection, I was informed that the rear subframe was rotted out and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I still have the car available for inspection of the rear subframe. The rear subframe caused the pull to the side under braking, which alone could cause an accident. Since it also connects the suspension to the frame of the car, at any…
    NHTSA complaint #11505704 · source
  11. Filed Feb 1, 202385,000 miCTBody & Structure
    The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH and slowing for traffic, the rear end of the vehicle started to drift to the right. The contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the entire rear subframe needed to be replaced due to…
    NHTSA complaint #11504976 · source
  12. Filed Jan 25, 2023NJBody & StructureSuspension
    My 2011 c300 has a rotted rear subframe making the car not able to be driven. It has major ,life threatening, costly damage and this issue already has a recall all over the world but not in the United States.
    NHTSA complaint #11503537 · source

Other 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 problem areas

  • Suspension (57)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (30)
  • Other / Unknown (22)
  • Steering (20)
  • Electrical System (16)
  • Brakes (10)
  • Lighting (10)
  • Airbags (8)
  • Engine (5)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (4)
  • Wheels & Tires (2)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (2)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (1)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (1)
  • Visibility & Wipers (1)

Back to all 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology