2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 airbags problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

21 owners have reported airbags problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, 13% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 100,000 mi.

Airbags complaints
21
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Related recalls
4
Median mileage
100,000 mi

Specific components reported

Airbags covers: Frontal, side and curtain airbags, sensors and warning lights.

ComponentComplaints
Air bags21

Airbags complaints across Mercedes-Benz C300 years

10200872009142010820111520122120131420146201532016
Airbags complaints by model year. The 2013 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k30k–60k260k–100k4100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 19V010000Jan 9, 2019288,779 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  • Recall 18V043000Jan 10, 2018132,167 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2010 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, E550 Coupe, GLK350, and GLK350 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2009 C300, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

  • Recall 17V627000Oct 6, 2017495,290 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.

    Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

  • Recall 17V177000Mar 14, 201751 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

What owners say

  1. Filed Oct 30, 2025RIAirbags
    I had just gotten off the highway it was a rainy day and pulled into my driveway when airbag deployed on its own. I am lucky to be alive. I purchased this vehicle about 2 yrs or so ago and ran carfax that showed recall was fixed by manufacturer. I contacted Mercedes corporate office and it’s been almost two weeks with me calling and emailing w no call backs or any resolution. I don’t have a car and could have been seriously injured. Please help.
    NHTSA complaint #11696593 · source
  2. Filed Feb 19, 202590,000 miRIAirbagsFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking after refueling. The fuel had leaked out to half tank. The Fire Department was called, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that there was a puddle of fuel in the driveway. Additionally, the passenger’s air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sensor in the module needed to be replaced. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11643606 · source
  3. Filed Mar 19, 202423,032 miGACrashTowedAirbagsBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that while the vehicle was approaching a building ahead, she veered to the right and hit the front bumper of an occupied vehicle. The vehicle then drove over the…
    NHTSA complaint #11578340 · source
  4. Filed Sep 27, 2023127,328 miFLAirbags
    The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light and the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated and then turned off independently. Additionally, the “Service Air Bags” message was displayed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11546944 · source
  5. Filed Mar 24, 2022119,000 miVAAirbagsSuspension
    The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon taking the vehicle to the dealer, they discovered corrosion underneath the rear subframe. The corrosion caused 2-inch sized holes to be formed on the passenger’s side of the rear subframe. The dealer also discovered corrosion on the wire of one of the seats which resulted in the air bag warning light being illuminated. The manufacturer…
    NHTSA complaint #11458106 · source
  6. Filed Aug 5, 2020111,815 miPACrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
    Tl* the contact owned a 2013 mercedes benz c300. The contact stated that she had taken her vehicle to mercedes-benz of west chester dealer (1260 wilmington pike, west chester, pa 19382) to be serviced for nhtsa campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags). Due to the parts being unavailable at that time, both her driver and passenger side air bags were turned off. The contact was informed at the time that the dealer's policy was to have the air bags turned off until the part became…
    NHTSA complaint #11343424 · source
  7. Filed Jun 16, 2020NYAirbags
    Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz c300. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not…
    NHTSA complaint #11329122 · source
  8. Filed Jun 12, 2020VAAirbags
    Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz c300. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Mercedes benz of richmond (8225 w broad st, richmond, va 23294, [phone removed]) was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made…
    NHTSA complaint #11328499 · source
  9. Filed May 27, 2020MOAirbags
    Takata air bag recall #19v010, mercedes benz recall #[phone removed] has been active and i was notified over 1 year ago in january 2019. I've contacted local dealership. (plaza mercedes benz) in st louis, mo several times. They say that since it's phase 4, i need to wait for parts being available. Can you update me on when the parts to fix the recall will be available?
    NHTSA complaint #11326151 · source
  10. Filed May 18, 2020COAirbags
    Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz c300. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11324953 · source
  11. Filed May 7, 2020NYAirbags
    Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz c300. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
    NHTSA complaint #11323618 · source
  12. Filed Apr 14, 2020NJAirbags
    Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz c300. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v043000 (air bags). The contact stated that mercedes-benz of edison - a ray catena dealership (910 us-1, edison, nj 08817), exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The part was not available for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
    NHTSA complaint #11321142 · source

Other 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 problem areas

  • Suspension (67)
  • Body & Structure (57)
  • Steering (19)
  • Other / Unknown (16)
  • Brakes (12)
  • Electrical System (10)
  • Engine (5)
  • Wheels & Tires (5)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (3)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (2)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (1)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (1)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (1)
  • Visibility & Wipers (1)
  • Lighting (1)

Back to all 2013 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