10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 26,141 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.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The contact had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic and was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V850000 (Steering) and the contact was referred to the dealer. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
- Weston, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The contact was able to pull over safely on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer stated that steering column was experiencing an electric failure, and that the rack and pinon needed to be replaced, and the steering module needed to be reprogramed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not under any recall. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Failed component: power steering. Mercedes Benz of Princeton did the replacement, but we're not sure if they kept the part. Safety issue: On June 14, 2022, the vehicle-??s power steering failed in the middle of a drive (see attachment for the error message). This was a major risk since the car was stuck in the middle of the road, with the steering wheel requiring tremendous force to turn. Luckily, we were a few 100 feet away from home, so we just left it. Next morning the car turns on fine and there are no issues with the steering. One week later, on June 19, 2022, the issue resurfaced. This time we were driving 35mph in a public street with traffic behind us. We were barely able to pull the car over to the side of the road. We took the car to Mercedes Benz of Princeton where they diagnosed the issue and quoted $4551 to replace the entire steering rack. We also contacted MB USA to understand why our vehicle wasn't recalled as part of NHTSA Recall ID #15V-845. After dragging their feet for a full month (where no updates were provided), they denied the claim. On July 22, 2022, we ended up paying the full cost of repair and lost the use of the vehicle for a full month.
- Princeton, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the power steering malfunction message appeared on the instrument panel. As the contact attempted to exit the highway, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V845000 (Steering). The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Power steering malfunctioned while driving. Received error on dash. The steering wheel was very difficult to turn. Issue was resolved after turning the car off for 5mins and restarting. However it is unclear whether the issue would fester again. This is the first time this issue occurred between 2017-2022.
- Foster City, CA, USA
The C300 4matic specifically should be recalled because something near the front end squeaks and makes all types of noises
- Houston, TX, USA
I have the same problem about steering harder when on lower speed, every oil level looks to be perfect.
- Richardson, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes Benz C300W. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to isla verde dealer (llc, ave. Baldorioty de castro km 10.3, Carolina, pr 00979, puerto rico) for a recall for the rack and pinion. The contact stated that a week later while driving between 40-50 mph, the vehicle spun around three times, and on the third spin the vehicle crashed into a guardrail with the vehicle facing oncoming traffic. The traction control and driving assistance plus warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustained injuries. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed and was informed the vehicle was aligned. The contact mentioned the steering wheel was abnormally to the right. The vehicle was then towed to his residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the vehicle was out of the parameter of the alignment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
- Penuelas, PR, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving and making a right turn, there was a clicking sound coming from the steering with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was due to a cv joint failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
- Tampa, FL, USA
Gas smell coming from cabin every time I put heat on, come to find out dealership informed me there was a leak on gas hose and not covered by the warranty I have, only had the car for a year didn't drive my car in fear will explode plus im a smoker so I could of have blown up, plus battery they said was weak needs to B replace, again I barely drive and only had my car for a year cpo everything should of been new and running perfect
- Jersey City, NJ, USA
Loss of steering while driving vehicle. Extremely unsafe. Error message displayed frontal left malfunction service required. Vehicle inoperable. Steering wheel just spins no control of vehicle
- Wood-Ridge, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving 30 mph, the power steering system failed. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, but the power steering ability continued to fail. The vehicle was towed and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,000.
- Longmeadow, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving 30 mph, the power steering failed and became very difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer chip needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,500.
- Hackensack, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at a low speed, the steering wheel emitted an abnormal noise and the power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer had not yet diagnosed the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V598000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 8,000.
- Westfield, NJ, USA
I sat in the car, had not started it yet, and a "power steering malfunction, see operators manual" warning in red was on dashboard screen, and another smaller red indicator light of a steering wheel was on in the speedometer area. Started the car and the warnings remained. Shut it off and immediately restarted and the warnings remained. Starting driving the car and the power steering was indeed out. I had great difficulty trying to steer, especially under 5mph. Drove about a mile and then parked and shut the car off. Came back about 10 minutes later, restarted the car and the warnings were gone and steering was back to normal.
- Manhattan, IL, USA
Electronic controlled steering failed. I could not steer vehicle.
- Clarksville, TN, USA
The steering malfunction light came on and the steering wheel lost power. The steering wheel locked up where it become extremely difficult for me to maneuver the car. I put on my emergency indicator and got the car into a parking lot as safety as I could. Had this occurred while I was going on a road with curves or at high speed, I believe I could have suffered severe bodily injury. I called mbrace to get my car towed. When I turned my car back on after approximately 5 mins, the error was gone and it was close to 7pm and the service center for the dealership where I purchased this car from was closed. I dropped off the car at the dealership the next morning. Today is the second day and my dealership tells me that they opened a case with Mercedes as their was a faulty code in the steering electrical box and they were advised by Mercedes to simply reset the box and drive the car for some time. However they could not tell me why it happened and whether the reset will prevent the occurrence of the steering wheel malfunction again. I refused to take a car back until its safety is proven. The dealership is keeping the car until they hear from Mercedes which according to them could take a few days to a week+. I purchased this car approximately 3 weeks ago and to have a major issue with my car with and the dealership and Mercedes to provide no confidence in the safety of this vehicle is extremely appalling.......updated 12/17/15 updated 10/11/2017
- San Jose, CA, USA
I started the engine and the power steering failure warning came on. True enough, it was a struggle to steer my car back home - I was just 3 minutes away from home. The car was towed the next morning to autohaus on edens in northbrook, il. I did a google search and found out that there has been a recall for this exact problem in europe since Dec 2014. I was shocked that owners in the us were not warned of this potential problem and there has been no recall issued. If this had happened on the freeway, it likely would have resulted in a very serious accident and my safety could have been jeopardized. I would like other owners of the 2015 Mercedes Benz C class to be alerted to this potentially serious mechanical problem and the nhsta to investigate why there has been no recall issued in the us......updated 12/17/15 both axles front axles had to replaced.
- Evanston, IL, USA
- Appleton, WI, USA