3.1
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 45,181 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
After noticing brake fluid leaking I took my car to a local automotive shop and when he raised it to checkout the break line when he found the leak from the rust. he noticed a more serious problem that the subframe was rusted out on each side. He told me to contact Mercedes immediately because the car is unsafe to drive.
- Decatur, IL, USA
As I was driving from work, I noticed that when I started using the brakes I starting hearing a metal sound coming from the back, the day after I looked down and realized a whole part from the sub frame was completely broken and the part is corroded.
- Chicago, IL, USA
The caption and case number is Sowa et al v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC et al., [XXX] MBUSA has extended the warranty on the rear subframe of several vehicles. The link to this in on your website: [XXX] One the last page of the PDF file on your website it states: When will customer letters be mailed for this warranty extension? The warranty extension customer notifications are scheduled for mailing on: March 10, 2023, and continue in waves through May 19. We have three cars in my family that are in this "extended warranty" at three different households. No letter was received at any of the three households regarding any of the three cars. If you look up the three cars Vin #'s, all three have no recalls on them and nothing relating to an extended warranty on a rear subframe. So, MBUSA, has brilliantly side stepped issuing a recall which would come up on a Vin $ search. They have not sent out the letters of notification. So, almost all owners will not be aware of the deadly impending time bomb they are driving. As these cars age further the ones that have yet to fail will fail and people will die. I called today, 10/24/2023 Reference # for the call [XXX] to let the NHTSA know the above and that if you allowed MBUSA to NOT issue a recall because they agreed to send letters of notification - well they did not do that and people are at risk. This seems like a loophole to me. No recall, we will extend the warranty and then not let anyone know much lower cost than recall and fixing. The NHTSA - should get the contact information for all the customers affected and hire a third party to send the notices and have MBUSA billed for that service. This would ensure people are notified. I was advised by the NHTSA staff on my call to file a claim with the BBB. That seems ridiculous. I will keep a copy of this filing; so, I can send it to the news channels to show how the NHTSA given due notice did nothing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- New York, NY, USA
Was told by a mechanic that there is a safety recall for sub frames on Mercedes vehicles. After an inspection the mechanic noted that it was suggested to replace due to a recall on the c-class models. After looking up the VIN it suggested that a 2009 does not have a recall - same sub frame issue.
- Orlean, VA, USA
i was driving in the highway 50 mph and i was braking and my car slipped in the other line of the highway and almost had and accident !!!! and cars switched off when driving almost had incident!!!! i saw that many people have the say problem like me about rusted component please do something because people are losing their lifes.
- Pelham, NY, USA
The stability control is off in the rear. No warning lights or noise. Other models of this same year make and model have been recalled for something having to do with this. Please help me our family can-??t afford this rn. We have a beautiful 1 year old that needs rides to dr apt
- West Carrollton , OH, USA
I bought this car for my 18 year old son based on Mercedes reputation for safety and longevity, only to discover that Mercedes has a widely acknowledged issue with rotted sub-frames -- it's a serious safety issue and recalled in other countries. My son was was driving on the highway and the tire exploded. He was so close to being killed because the car went out of control. After getting it towed to my mechanic, he advised me that alignment adjusters were stuck, the subframe was rotted, the lower control arm subframe mounts were broken from the subframe and they were hitting the gas tank. Luckily, the tire only exploded as oppose to the entire vehicle bursting in flames. There were no warning lights or messages, only the feeling that the tires needed to be aligned. We bought new tires and were told an alignment was done from Town Fair Tires, which was untrue. My son's life was in immediate danger. Shame on Mercedes for not recalling this subframe. This is the first of many avenues I am taking to have this rectified and hopefully prevent a tragedy
- Manchester, CT, USA
rear subframe rotted away and car wouldnt move
- Charolette, NC, USA
Rear subframe corrosion discovered by Mercedes Benz Service.105,000 miles on the vehicle. Presents a safety hazard, possible loss of control the vehicle. Frames rots from the inside out, which leads to discovery after vehicle performance and safety is compromised.
- Clinton, MD, USA
Suspension Cross-Member - Mercedes-Benz (204-350-01-41) Driving regularly suddenly fill like the rear passenger side tire moved unevenly, then went to the tire shop, and when they take out the tire see how the rear frame was rusted and broken in a straight line exactly in the middle of the tire hole area. Then start to check used cars to donate that part and All of them have the same trouble in that piece, so I decided to review the frame and discover that the rust begins to damage the opposite side too, so I'm pretty sure is a component failure in metal and materials more than simple rust.
- Des Moines, IA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, he heard an abnormal clunking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. After looking under the vehicle, the contact noticed that the subframe located next to the gas tank was fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe had fractured from the weld point. However, the parts to do the repair were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
- Chelsea, ME, USA
Take my car to the dealer and told me my rear subframe is rusted out and is dangerous to drive. Total cost replace they said around $5800. Why there isn-??t recall for the problem in the USA " I find out there is one in Canada and Germany for this car. What I-??m supposed to do with the car" Take it to a junkyard because Mercedes-??
- Anderson , IN, USA
Rear subframe rusted through near connection with control arm. This left the rear wheel connected to the rest of the car only through an axle and sway bar. This is a very common issue on these vehicles, and was remedied through the replacement of the subframe.
- Chicago, IL, USA
The contact's son owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, he was informed that the subframe was severely rusted. The contact stated that his son then informed him that while he was driving approximately 50 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle started wobbling significantly. The dealer replaced the subframe, the rear tires, and completed an alignment on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. Vehicle has been repaired.
- Saint Charles, IL, USA
My 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 4 Matic sedan fishtails at the rear end when I apply the brakes. I-??ve owned the car for 8 years. Prior to this happening, I took it to the Mercedes Benz Dealership Repair shop, it was fully inspected on a hoist and fully gone through from bumper to bumper. May 6, 2021, I have a report and a video of the inspection but nothing was revealed related to the undercarriage suspension subframe rusting. Just a few days ago, I had rear brake work done thinking this was the problem and would solve the fishtailing when brakes were applied, maybe one of the calipers was sticking. I also had a 4 wheel alignment, however to my surprise the problem worsened. I called a Local mechanic, who offered to look under my car. After inspection of my vehicle it revealed that the rear undercarriage subframe is completely rotted out. I was advised that it is completely unsafe to drive and to immediately get rid out it to a local salvage yard. My Dream Mercedes still looks new on the outside as I have taken miraculous care of it over the years. Be aware everything that looks good on the outside can be rotted out on the inside. I live in a city that requires highway driving at 70 mph plus, this problem could have ended in a disastrous deadly way. Thank goodness my guardian angel was looking out for me. I checked into repairing the vehicle, the rear subframe is available and with labor the total cost of repair is well over $5000 with labor costing $1632 before tax alone. Mercedes knows this is a common problem and should recall these issues before someone gets seriously injured or killed.
- Concord, NC, USA
the rear subframe @lower control arms right side rust on bracket when put break on the car go to right and make noise!!! the car just have 83.000 miles!! this have re call or not?we d'ont know untill seaching on web side findown couple owner C300 have problem said some
- Liberty Twp, OH, USA
I am 80 years old, and disabled. Gave this car to my son, (age 53). Within a month, he experienced a potential LIFE THREATENING incident with the car. While driving, the car became very unstable and steering was almost impossible. The car was towed to A-1 Auto Repair in Pitman, New Jersey for analysis. This establishment has an excellent reputation for Mercedes-Benz repairs. Upon extensive review the shop advised "customer vehicle is very unsafe to operate and should not be driven"The Invoice states "...During road test vehicle is unstable and steering and braking are out of specification and feels very unstable to operate. Checked vehicle suspension and undercarriage to diagnose rear subframe rusted off body mounts. and is hanging off left rear of body and subframe. Needs extensive repairs to undercarriage and subframe needs replacing with new body mounts.Advised customer vehicle is very unsafe to operate and should not be driven!... There was no warning of this problem. The car has been garaged since purchased. Car regularly maintained by dealership. No mention ever made of RUSTING ! Mercedes states not there problem since warranty has expired.
- West Deptford, NJ, USA
Brought in vehicle for problem when braking, car would pull to one side. Repair shop said rear sub assembly was rusted and they were aware of others like my vehicle with the same problem. Looked up some Mercedes Benz forums online and discovered many of the same problems with the C300 model (2008 and newer) my vehicle is a 2009 Mercedes C300 4Matic. I do live in Minnesota
- Minneapolis, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the driver-??s side rear tire inverted into the wheel well due to excessive corrosion. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he confirmed the failure and informed him that the subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Niskayuna , NY, USA