general problems of the 2011 Mercedes Benz C300 - part 2

I was driving down the road when a deer ran out into the roadway ahead of me. I applied the brake firmly and hear a "pop" and the car suddenly changed lanes. I was able to recover without much of an incident but applying the brakes from that point on caused the car to "steer" into a new direction. I took the vehicle out to a friends farm and jacked it up to find that on this car with zero other corrosion issues that the mounting point for one of the rear suspension arms had rusted at the weld and broken off the sub frame. I should note that the rest of the underbody was inspected and the rear subframe is the only place that has any corrosion. Research into this issue over the past few months has lead me to countless people being affected by the same issues. This is not an isolated case and it needs to be addressed by the manufacturer before it causes a fatal accident (if it has not already).

I noticed that when using the brakes the car would pull to the side. The front brake rotors and pads were completely replaced but the pulling behavior remained unchanged. When the mechanic specifically looked for reasons for the pulling he found the rear driver's side stabilizer completely rusted through and the passenger side one showing signs of similar impending failure. I took pictures of both. The driver's side arm that was broken was also rubbing against the gas tank. The company, mercedes, is only allowing replacement parts to be delivered when ordered by VIN, so I can't get a part already in the us (it has to be ordered directly from germany and specifically for my car's VIN - they know there's a problem).

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed abruptly and the vehicle fishtailed off the road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the brake calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic and was informed that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

I have a 2011 C300 sport that I purchased end of the lease (3yr. ). The car was never driven in the winter for 4 seasons and most recently just the last 3 winters. Complete frame rot on the rear driver's side. Rot was noticed by my mechanic at the last oil change. He said he is replacing three rear frames for customers as soon as he can get parts. Parts are limited and only in germany. I want it repaired with genuine parts. If the frame separates while the vehicle is at highway speeds, operator control can be compromised. The brake line which attaches to the frame has ruptured in many cases from what I have read. I called mb customer service and there is no recall at this time. I called the local dealer and they have been replacing quite a few frames with the same issue. This is a dangerous failure and if I remeber correctly about 8-10 years ago Toyota recalled trucks and suvs for frame replacement.

Due to design flaw and/or poor material quality, I have a car with less than 100,000 miles that has completely rusted thru the subframe. I was told by a Mercedes Benz dealer that this is a common problem with this car. The cost of repair was quoted at $4000. This was only discovered due to the mb mechanic removing the covers on on the subframe discovering the rust. I was told it would not pass inspection but it just did in February at the dealer I bought the car from. I told the mb dealer this and they said they probably didnt know the covers need removed to see the issue. This is a huge safety issue that people who drive these cars are probably not aware of. Failure of this area could cause loss of control as this is a critical suspension link responsible for maintaining steering direction of the rear wheels. Once these linkages fail the driver will lose control of the car. Mb needs to held accountable for this design flaw and get the cars recalled. I do not have $4000 just lying around to make this repair and will be forced to continue to drive this car.

While traveling on the interstate @ 60 mph, I loud knock was heard in the right rear. When brakes were applied, the vehicle pulled to the left, severely. Vehicle was taken to a mechanic on this date after making an appointment. Photos included show the issue as to why this occurred. The 'cradle' of the rear suspension on both, the left and right sides were completely rusted through. The vehicle is a 2011 mercedes-benz c-300, with 63,000 miles. After researching this on line, it appears this is an on-going issue with this year along with other years. This, is huge safety issue and the results could be catastrophic to the occupants and or other operators.

The rear suspension subframe rotted. The car has 140,000 miles and is kept in a garage. There was no warning regarding the damage. I nearly lost control of my car on a highway, it was I reported this to mercedes to see if there was a recall. There was no recall on the part, mercedes did not take responsibility for repairs. I paid to have the car repaired. There were no warning lamps that alerted me to the problem. The car was towed to a mercedes dealer and I opened a claim with mercedes.

The contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz C300. The contact son stated while driving at various speeds, the rear of the vehicle would sway while braking. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with needing the subframe to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed contact that to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Rear subframe failure of left lower control arm mount bracket at weld that rusts prematurely from improper treatment at time of manufacturing after failure while braking at low speed 10mph rear end of vehicle fish tails left and front end of vehicle moves right there are numerous reports around the world with this specific model and identical safety hazard on the left side of vehicle in almost all cases Mercedes Benz refuses to acknowledge a defect in craftsmanship of the specified part and in many cases offer a $1000 credit towards a new vehicle as 1 of millions of americans that owns this vehicle in question I believe it is necessary that the NHTSA steps in to assist with this issue as millions of american lives are at risk even if they do not own or operate this vehicle.

Lost control of vehicle while driving on highway. Brought vehicle to have brakes done at pep boys who identify the sub frame was corroded and that vehicle was not drivable, after many attempts with Mercedes Benz, from emails to phone calls also following up with customer service line and not been able to even have them look at the vehicle I’ve decided to follow up with a complaint. My car was earlier this year at mercedes-benz for another reason and I was never made aware of this issue. I brought vehicle to another european auto shop they just told me that they just did another vehicle same model with same problem. I’ve also read online many complaints. I’m aware that many individuals have no idea on how to file a complaint at this level to hold mbenz responsible. Is time for a recall. My extended warranty company would not take care of the bill which is over $2000 since there is corrosion on the vehicle. Thank you for your assistance.

Rear suspension is rusted and the arm to the wheel has disconnected. This vehicle can’t be driven and is a major safety issue - per the mercedes dealership. From mercedes : the rear sub-frame serves a number of purposes. It adds to the rigidity of the rear body structure and supports the vehicle's cabin and some chassis components. Most importantly, the sub-frame helps to protect occupants in an offset rear impact. In a collision, the sub-frame first helps to absorb some of the impact forces on the side that is hit. It also channels some of the impact forces to the side of the vehicle not involved in the impact. This also helps to absorb some of the forces of the collision before they can reach the passenger cabin reason a damaged sub frame puts everyone in the vehicle at risk. During a collision the sub-frame is responsible for absorbing and evenly distributing the force from the impact. If damaged the sub frame cannot distribute the impact causing a complete collapse of the vehicle.

Rear subframe rot. The vehicle was purchased July 2021 from automax of frederick maryland. I took the car to euromotors of bethesda and they informed me about the issue so I took it back to the dealership because the car was sold to me like this and the owner of the dealership let me know that his "guys" would have never passed it in the MD inspection if a hole was about to be there or severe rust. However it was still sold and now I have the problem of where one of my control arms are rusted out and the car is not safe to drive. The dealer also let me know that the rust was just "surface rust" and it was nothing to worry about. The dealer ask me to bring the car in to inspect and lifted and let me know they would put a ticket on it if the car gave me any problems they would take care of it. Never got anything from them.

The rear sub-frame of my mercedes failed and resulted in a dangerous situation due to left rear suspension attachment point breaking free. Braking became uncontrollable. This seems to be a common problem in the 2008-2014 C300 mercedes based on a quick scan of the internet.

While driving, I hit my brakes and it were as if an invisible hand grabbed the steering wheel and turned sharply to the right. I nearly went over a mountain. I drove slowly home but each time I would hit my brakes the same would happen. Long story short, my 2011 C300 with 80k miles, bought from the showroom and garage kept has a rusted and broken subframe. My vehicle is not drivable. I would like to mention also that the air conditioner has a terrible moldy odor.

I was driving my 2011c-class on I-95 north of philadelphia when I had to slow down due to traffic. Without warning the rear of the car started fishtailing almost causing a multi-vehicle accident which would have resulted in injuries or worse. I exited the highway and took smaller streets to get to my mechanic who has serviced the car since the mercedes extended warranty expired. Upon inspection he noticed the rear subframe was rotted out completely and the toe arm was not attached. I have owned this cpo car since June 2012. The car is garage kept and there are no other issues or rust on the car. It has approximately 129,000 miles. This seems to be a defect as other owners with this model have experienced similar problems.

Driving on highway, went to apply brakes and car swerved violently to the right, and car body felt like it was 'swimming' around on the frame. Car felt very unstable. Took car to mercedes dealership, and confirmed that the rear subframe was completely cracked. Technician noted what appeared to be "rust proofing spray on the rusted area". Mercedes dealership quoted $4,000 for repair. There is a recall on this part in canada. Mercedes dealership claimed no knowledge of canadian recall. Am awaiting follow up call from Mercedes Benz corporate.

The rear subframe rotted away.

Tl the contact owned a 2011 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving, the vehicle made a rattling sound, while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear sub frame was fractured. The contact was informed not to drive the vehicle. The contact called kempthorn mercedes-benz dealer located at 1449 cleveland Ave NW, canton, OH 44703 and was informed to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The failure was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the repair part was on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that similar vehicles were recalled in canada but, not in the united states. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

I have a 2011 mercedes 80k miles and the rear cradle has rusted out , making the vehicle unsafe to drive.

Right rear trailing arm mount became detached from sub frame. Sheet metal on rear suspension sub frame ripped / tore so that rear trailing arm is only attached to lower part of mount, and not attached to vehicle. No accident, but vehicle is extremely unstable to drive when heavy braking could occur! vehicle veers suddenly to the right! concern besides instability is that loose trailing link could puncture fuel tank less than an inch away. First noticed while driving on I-4 when a vehicle changed into my lane abruptly, and I had to forcefully apply brakes.