2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 5 C250 years
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 ranks worst of 5 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 278 complaints, 163 of them airbag-related. It carries 7 recalls, more than any other year, making it the year to avoid most within this model.
- Complaints
- 278
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21.5 city / 31 hwy
Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags163 (59%)
- Engine51 (18%)
- Fuel System29 (10%)
- Other19 (7%)
- Steering19 (7%)
- Electrical System15 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (5%)
- Structure & Body13 (5%)
- Brakes7 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report frontal airbags failing to deploy in low-speed and moderate-speed crashes, including a head-on collision at about 35 mph.
- Some vehicles caught fire after a crash, with flames spreading from the front end even in minor collisions around 10-15 mph.
- Owners describe engine compartment fires occurring while driving, sometimes preceded by a foul odor and smoke entering the cabin.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to secure occupants tightly during a rollover crash, and rear seat belt sensors failed to lock after a rear-end collision.
- One owner reported complete brake failure while parking, causing the vehicle to jump a curb and hit a light post.
- A vehicle reportedly caught fire spontaneously in a garage while parked, with the fire centered near the left rear door.
2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V638000Aug 13, 2021Airbags205 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Risk: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Communication
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.
- NHTSA 19V010000Jan 9, 2019Airbags288,779 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.
2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other C250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 C250 has the highest complaint index (100) of the 5 model years with data and ranks worst overall. It logged 278 complaints and 7 recalls, more than any other year.
- What is the top problem area for the 2013 C250?
- Airbags account for 59% of complaints (163 of 278), with a median failure mileage of 58,000 miles. Owners most often report airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
- Does the 2013 C250 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recalls covering the 2013 C250, including campaigns 21V638000, 19V010000, and 18V043000, mainly addressing incorrect passenger airbag deployment.
- How does the 2013 C250 compare to other years?
- The 2013 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2012 (75), 2014 (50), and 2015 (25). NHTSA data shows complaints and recalls decline in later model years.
- How many recalls does the 2013 C250 have?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2013 C250, covering airbags, steering, electrical software, and an emergency call system fault, none classified as do-not-drive.