YearToAvoid

2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

43/100

#5 most-complained of 8 C350 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 has a complaint index of 43 and ranks 5th worst out of 8 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other C350 years. NHTSA lists 21 complaints and 6 recalls, with airbags making up 71% of complaints.

Complaints
21
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 28 hwy

Top 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags15 (71%)
  2. Engine2 (10%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
  4. Electrical System1 (5%)
  5. Steering1 (5%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (5%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report delays getting replacement front passenger airbag modules under recall campaigns 17V627000 and 18V043000, with parts reported unavailable for extended periods.
  • Some owners describe the airbag warning indicator illuminating along with the front passenger turn signal failing to light, at a median mileage of 64,000 miles for airbag-related complaints.
  • A transmission complaint describes the vehicle losing power and failing to accelerate past 30 mph at highway speed, with engine, EPS, and traction control warning lights illuminating; the issue recurred multiple times at 39,251 miles.
  • Steering complaints describe a tilt mechanism failing to operate, requiring repeated dealer visits.
  • A suspension complaint describes strange noises, vibration, and the car pulling in a different direction when the wheel was released, traced to a severely rusted subframe affecting suspension, struts, and brake lines.
  • An engine complaint describes the vehicle losing power and stalling at various speeds, with the valve cover gasket cited among suspected causes, at 67,000 miles.
2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2017Apr 2018Dec 2018Mar 2019Oct 2019Apr 2020Jul 2021Mar 2023
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2017 to Sep 2025; peak Mar 2019 (4).

2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 →

2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,450
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 C350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520172020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Caution7126420
2012Avoid8635522
2013Good4321623
2014Caution5713423
2015Good296422.5

All Mercedes-Benz C350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 reliable based on complaints?
NHTSA lists 21 complaints and a complaint index of 43 for the 2013 C350, ranking it 5th worst of 8 model years tracked. That earns a 'Good' verdict compared to other C350 years.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350?
Airbags account for 71% of complaints (15 of 21), mostly tied to recall parts availability and warning indicator issues, at a median mileage of 64,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 C350, including multiple airbag campaigns (21V638000, 19V010000, 18V043000, 17V627000) and a steering recall (17V252000) for the steering coupling connecting bolt.
Which C350 model years should be avoided instead of 2013?
Among tracked years, 2010 (complaint index 100) and 2012 (complaint index 86) carry 'Avoid' verdicts, both worse than the 2013 model's index of 43.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C350?
EPA rates the 2013 C350 at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,450.

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.