YearToAvoid

2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 51 engine complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250, 18% of its 278 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 61,000. There is no engine-related recall on file, though owners describe stalling, hesitation, and in some cases fire.

Engine complaints
51
18% of 278
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
61,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a delayed acceleration from a stop, where pressing the gas pedal produces several seconds of hesitation before the car suddenly lurches forward.
  • Some drivers describe the vehicle stalling or refusing to accelerate mid-turn, leaving it stuck partway across traffic lanes.
  • A few complaints describe the engine losing power on the highway, dropping below normal speed before shutting off entirely.
  • Multiple owners report the issue as intermittent, occurring repeatedly at stoplights over weeks or months without a clear trigger.
  • One complaint describes a foul odor and smoke entering the cabin followed by an engine fire while driving at low speed.

When 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 12, 2013, latest Nov 2, 2025.

2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2013Aug 2015Mar 2018Mar 2019Dec 2019Nov 2020Aug 2022Apr 2025
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2013 to Nov 2025; peak Sep 2014 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by C250 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201265 (24%)
  2. 201351 (18%)
  3. 201426 (16%)
  4. 20151 (8%)
  5. 20160 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250?
NHTSA lists 51 engine complaints for the 2013 C250, which is 18% of the 278 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 engine?
No. NHTSA's data shows no related recalls listed for the engine problem area on this model year.
At what mileage do engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2013 C250 is 61,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
What do owners describe as the main engine symptom?
Owners most often describe hesitation or stalling when accelerating from a stop, along with occasional loss of power while driving.
Were there any fires linked to engine complaints?
NHTSA's complaint data for this model year records 3 fires and 3 injuries across all complaint areas, including at least one engine fire described in the sample complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.