246 complaints reported

2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
246
Crashes
7
Fires
0
Injuries
11

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Oct 2025

I had just gotten off the highway it was a rainy day and pulled into my driveway when airbag deployed on its own. I am lucky to be alive. I purchased this vehicle about 2 yrs or so ago and ran carfax that showed recall was fixed by manufacturer. I contacted Mercedes corporate office and it’s been almost two weeks with me calling and emailing w no call backs or any resolution. I don’t have a car and could have been seriously injured. Please help.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Oct 2025
Oct 2024 Injury

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the front passenger's side air bag unexpectedly deployed with no impact on the vehicle. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact parked and then restarted the vehicle before driving to the residence. The contact sustained bruises and scratches on his forearm, but medical attention was not received. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Oct 2024
Apr 2024 Injury

I was driving in a parking lot and suddenly my air bag deployed for no reason I did not hit anyone or get hit for the airbag to deploy. Suffered some bruising on my right forearm and in my left ear I still hear ringing from the airbag deploying.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Oct 2024
Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light and the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated and then turned off independently. Additionally, the “Service Air Bags” message was displayed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall and that the front passenger’s side air bag was previously replaced. The failure mileage was 127,328.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Sep 2023
Sep 2023

"Front Right Malfunction Service Required." Recently purchased vehicle, dealer performed recalibration before sale (error did not display during test drive or before purchase). 30 minutes after purchase notification popped up, dealer agreed to pay for repair. Took to non-purchasing Mercedes dealer, they were able to reproduce and quoted for $4179. Repair included seat replacement and height adjustment replacement. Purchasing dealer then refused repair The error pops up randomly, with person in passenger seat and without. Afraid to have anyone ride as a passenger, if a wreck occurs the airbag could not deploy.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Dec 2022
Nov 2022

2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKTA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT GETTING IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED OR, PICKED UP BY THE DEALER, DUE TO HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Nov 2022
Aug 2022

Per the attached Repair Order 948486 dated May 13, 2020, when I brought in the car to Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach for the airbag recall, I thought both of the Takata airbags were replaced and not just the passenger airbag. In fact, Repair Bill Job A states: “Replace Driver and Front Passenger Airbag”. “No Charge” I did not notice that they only replaced the passenger airbag. I would not have known the driver’s side was not replaced if the airbag warning light did not come on. Please direct Fletcher Jones to finish this repair properly. Per the enclosed photos, my dash display now has an image of the airbag and it says “Front Left Malfunction Service Required”. I am very worried what will happen if we get into an accident. Per the highlighted text attached, on April 14, 2021, a driver reported: “Front drivers air bag malfunction light is illuminated and horn nor any controls on steering wheel work at all.” I checked the horn and the steering wheel controls on our C250 when I read this. I discovered they do not work on our car as well. This drivers report goes on to say: “…repairman states this is a common issue with this car. I believe this is a serious safety issue with this vehicle as the airbag malfunction can possibly cause serious injury to the driver and the horns inability to function prevents the driver from alerting any other drivers if they stray from lane, are backing out of parking space, or distracted at a red traffic signal.” On Repair Order 948486 Fletcher Jones tried to reset the headrest which popped open when I sat in the car and put my head against it to rest. It was not due to any accident, the car was stationary. Fletcher Jones could not reset the headrest and asked for $1200 for a new one. Clearly this is also a defect because it did not occur during an accident and the headrest should not have separated. An attached article shows the Takata airbag problems still exist as ticking time bombs. MB CEO did not reply to my letter.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: May 2020
May 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the driver’s side air bags were inadvertently deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jul 2022
Dec 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES BENZ OF RICHMOND (8225 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294, (804)755-9300) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Dec 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C-250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HELMS BRO, MERCEDES BENZ DEALER (LOCATED AT 208 NORTHERN BLVD, BAYSIDE, NY 11361) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2018
Dec 2020

MERCEDES BENZ HAS RECALLED MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER, REFUSING TO REPAIR IT AS THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO FIX YET AVAILABLE TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. CAN YOU ASSIST IN GETTING MERCEDES TO TAKE ACTION IN GETTING THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED? I AHVE BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: May 2019
Nov 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ OF ATLANTA SOUTH (LOCATED AT 3775 ROYAL S PKWY, ATLANTA, GA 30349), EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020
Nov 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PERFORMANCE MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUFFALO LOCATED AT 8185 MAIN ST., WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221, WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2018
Nov 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C 300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED PRE-OWNED MERCEDES BENZ OF ARLINGTON 624 N GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA 22203, (844) 692-3692, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Oct 2020 Injury

AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED ONCE THEY CAR WAS TURN ON, AS I SHIFTED TO REVERSE TO BACK AWAY FROM A PARKING SPOT, AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO IMPACT, NO COLLISION, NO POT HOLES. VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TONREVERSE. AIRBAG STRUCK PRIMARILY IN THE CHEST, NECK, AND THROAT. WHIPLASH EFFECT HAS ALSO CAUSE LOWER BACK PAIN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020
Sep 2020

I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS & THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON. THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AT REFUSES TO LOOK AT IT UNLESS I PAY THEM FIRST.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C204.9, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Sep 2020
Sep 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ OF ARCADIA LOCATED AT (101 N SANTA ANITA AVE, ARCADIA, CA 91006) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Nov 2017
Sep 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000(AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF TEMECULA LOCATED AT (40910 TEMECULA CENTER DR, TEMECULA, CA 92591) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Dec 2018
Sep 2020

I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT THERE IS NO OPTION FOR AIRBAG REPLACEMENT OVER TWO YEARS INTO THE RECALL

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Aug 2020
Jul 2020

THE RECALL WAS FROM JAN 2019, BUT THE AIRBAG PART\ AVAILABILITY IS STILL PENDING AFTER 1.5 YEARS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jul 2020
Jul 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jul 2020
Jul 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jul 2020
Jun 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF ALEXANDRIA (200 S. PICKETT ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22304, WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE. *BF*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C250, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Jun 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST 2020(ALMOST 1YR AND 6MONTHS) AFTER THE ORIGINAL RECALL. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES BENZ C300, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Jun 2020

2013 MERCEDES BENZ C-350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C350, Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Incident: Jan 2017

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 246 Air Bags complaints on file. 7 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.