2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 19 electrical system complaints for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300, about 7% of its 259 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure was 91,000, with one fire reported and no crashes or injuries. A related recall (17V177000) covers software updates on affected control units.
- Electrical System complaints
- 19
- 7% of 259
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 91,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report the electronic steering lock and ignition/EIS module failing, sometimes preventing the car from starting or locking the steering column while driving.
- Some describe a burnt ground wire, lamp carrier, or plug/contact bushing near the trunk lighting area, raising fire concerns.
- Several report intermittent tail light, brake light, or turn signal warnings and failures on the passenger side.
- Some describe multiple electrical systems failing at once, including reduced acceleration, non-working brakes, wipers, and turn signals.
- A few mention water intrusion under the dashboard soaking the electrical components after rain.
- Some link airbag warning lights and horn failure to the Takata recall parts backlog.
When 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 29, 2013, latest Aug 15, 2025.
Electrical System recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300
- NHTSA 17V177000Mar 14, 2017Electrical System51 vehicles
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.
Electrical System complaints by C300 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300?
- NHTSA lists 19 electrical system complaints for the 2013 C300, which is about 7% of the 259 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2013 C300?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints is 91,000 miles.
- Is there a recall for the 2013 C300 electrical system?
- Yes, recall 17V177000 covers the electrical system on 2008-2014 C300 vehicles including the 2013 model; dealers update software in the affected control units free of charge.
- Did any 2013 C300 electrical complaints involve fires or crashes?
- NHTSA data shows one fire report among the 19 electrical complaints, with no crashes and no injuries reported.
- How does the 2013 C300's electrical complaint share compare to other years?
- The 2013 model's 7% share is lower than the 2010 model's 24% and the 2022 model's 32%, though sample sizes vary by year.