2015 Mercedes-Benz C200

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding my 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 (W205), with approximately 65,000 miles. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership diagnosed severe corrosion and perforation of the rear subframe and declared the vehicle undrivable due to this condition. The estimated repair cost is $5,531.53. The rear subframe is a critical structural component supporting the rear suspension. Its deterioration may compromise vehicle stability and potentially result in loss of control. I am extremely concerned that such a serious structural failure has occurred at relatively low mileage. Mercedes-Benz has extended rear subframe corrosion warranty coverage to 20 years with unlimited mileage for certain earlier C-Class models, but the W205 is excluded despite experiencing a similar problem. Mercedes-Benz USA denied my request for goodwill assistance. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether premature rear subframe corrosion and perforation represent a broader safety defect affecting the W205 platform and whether a safety recall is warranted. The dealership’s diagnosis, repair estimate, and manufacturer correspondence are available upon request.

To Mercedes-Benz USA Customer Care, I am requesting a formal review and written explanation concerning case #24524936 and the approximately $6,000+ starter-wiring repair on my vehicle. Mercedes-Benz’s August 2017 recall notice for campaign 2017080002, NHTSA recall 17V114, states that the starting-current limiter can overheat under specified conditions, potentially causing surrounding components to melt and creating a fire risk. The notice further states that the authorized dealer will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter at no charge. Because my vehicle has experienced burnt starter wiring, I request that Mercedes-Benz provide: 1. Written confirmation of whether my vehicle’s VIN was included in this recall. 2. The date and documentation of any recall remedy performed on my vehicle. 3. The technical findings supporting the determination that my starter-wiring damage is unrelated to the recall. 4. Confirmation of whether the starting-current limiter, additional fuse, and surrounding wiring were inspected. 5. A review of reimbursement eligibility and goodwill assistance for the repair expense. Please escalate this matter for technical review and provide a written response explaining the basis for the denial. If the matter cannot be resolved, I will consider submitting a vehicle-safety complaint to NHTSA. Existing case number: 24524936 Mercedes-Benz recall: 2017080002 NHTSA recall: 17V114

I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the locking/key-detection system in my 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] p.m. in Coral Ridge, Fort Lauderdale, I secured my young son in his car seat. My purse, containing the key fob, and my phone were on the front passenger seat. I closed the door and walked around to the driver's side. The vehicle had locked all doors by itself. I did not press the lock button or intentionally lock the vehicle. There were no warning lights, messages, alerts, or other symptoms beforehand. My [XXX] son was trapped inside the locked vehicle, and both my key and phone were also inside, leaving me unable to access him or call for help. I flagged down a passing car, and we ultimately had to break a window to reach him. The vehicle has not been inspected by Mercedes-Benz, a dealer, police, insurance, or an independent service center, and the issue has not been reproduced or confirmed. After replacing the window, I have not attempted to recreate the incident because of the safety risk. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. I am concerned that the vehicle can lock with the key fob inside the passenger side, creating a potentially serious risk if a child or vulnerable occupant is trapped inside, particularly in hot weather or where immediate assistance is unavailable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am a mechanic speaking on the behalf of a customer; this customer is experiencing problems with her rear subframe. The older generation of her car has a famous issue with rear subframe rusting out. Her car uses an updated part number that is almost identical in construction to the failure prone part that was famous for rusting out, although they are NOT the same number. The failure prone number is 2123503805 or 2043500141, they are installed on the older chassis, w204, w212, etc. The part that is in THIS vehicle is 2123503605, the construction is almost identical to the part numbers listed for the w212 and w204 provided above. There is no drainage holes provided for water that has entered through rain or any other detritus that will permeate on the road's surfaces through natural progression of the vehicle's life, like on the older chassis. The material used is steel with paint on the outside instead of some sort of encapsulation that coats both inside and outside surfaces. And because these don't have any sort of ability to evacuate any substances, they are interacting with unprotected metal and will react into rust. This failure can lead to misalignment at the very minimum of problems, at the worst, it can cause control arms falling off, causing wheel hub assemblies to fall off, this shouldn't have to be explained but this can cause major injury or death, not only to the passengers to the vehicle, but to others who share the misfortune of being at the wrong place at the w

Vehicle rear subframe has rusted through, causing vehicle to swerve upon braking, making the car unsafe to drive for the occupant, other vehicles on the road, and pedestrians. Mercedes dealer has advised that subframe has rusted through, requires replacement. The car will be brought to the dealer for repair (at owner's expense) by Friday, 8/28/2026. We can request that the dealer provide us with the subframe - please advise. The vehicle provided no warning indications.

An inspection of my vehicle on August 6, 2026 disclosed that the rear subframe has corrosion, including perforation. It is my understanding that this problem has been identified in mine and many other Mercedes-Benz models, and that Mercedes-Benz has offered an extended warranty to replace the subframe in certain of these models, but my model for the year it was manufactured was not included. I was not made aware of this potential problem by Mercedes-Benz, and they are not offering an extended warranty to resolve this serious safety issue.

During a mandatory Virginia State Safety Inspection, the vehicle failed due to severe structural corrosion and perforation of the rear subframe. Because these components notoriously corrode from the inside out, the fact that the rust is externally visible and structurally failing indicates an advanced, catastrophic material breakdown.The rear subframe serves as the foundational load-bearing anchor for the rear suspension and control arms. This level of structural rot poses an immediate, severe safety hazard. Had the failure occurred while driving at highway speeds rather than being caught during an inspection, the suspension mounts could have catastrophically detached, causing a sudden loss of vehicle control, unpredictable fishtailing, and an imminent crash risk. There are absolutely no dashboard warning lights, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), or driving indicators to alert the driver of this structural degradation. The defect remains entirely hidden until the metal physically fractures or the vehicle fails a professional inspection. Furthermore, because neighboring states (such as Maryland) do not mandate annual safety inspections, this severe structural failure will go entirely unnoticed by thousands of drivers until a catastrophic on-road failure occurs. Mercedes-Benz has already explicitly acknowledged this exact engineering and material defect in the preceding W204 generation (C-Class models up to 2015), subsequently issuing a 20-year, unlimited-mileage extended warran

Car was pulling to one side. Replaced the front routers and breaks. Problem still persisted. After more investigating the subframe was found to be rusting out, Mercedes of New London CT said it was unsafe to drive. But allowed my daughter to drive it home. This car was purchased it brand new from Mercedes=Benz of Warwick. The car was garaged all it life. This should not happen. They have had recalls and problems with this model just not this one. My concern is the safety of those driving this model clearly the problem was not solved. Please make Mercedes notify people driving this model, that there is a known subframe corrosion issue.

My 2015 C300 W205 failed at its state inspection today due to a rusted through rear subframe. I understand that the W204 warranty on this was extended to 20 years/unlimited miles but the W205 was not. I have contacted Mercedes customer care for a potential goodwill repair since this seems to be a known issue with class actions pending. This should not be failing and it’s unclear why Mercedes did not include all models with the same design in its extended warranty. The costs could be up to $7k.

The car would seem to shift when stopping , when tires were removed the rear subframe had rusted out completely, this is a major safety issue and could cause loss of control of the vehicle. The failure is the same as what the w204s experienced but they’re being fixed at the cost of Mercedes

Component/System Failure: The rear subframe on my 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 failed due to severe corrosion/rusting. The subframe is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This failure created a serious and immediate safety hazard. While driving at highway speeds, the structural integrity of the vehicle was compromised, I had to break and lost control of the vehicle and almost causing a crash. This also posed a danger to other drivers on the road. The condition was severe enough that I believe I narrowly avoided a major accident. Confirmation of Problem: The issue has been confirmed by a Mercedes-Benz dealership service department, who identified the subframe as rusted and structurally compromised. Inspection by Other Parties: The vehicle has been inspected by a Mercedes-Benz dealership. It has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer directly, police, or insurance representatives. Warning Signs Prior to Failure: There were no clear warning lights or dashboard messages indicating this issue prior to the failure. The problem appears to have progressed without visible warning until it became severe. Additional Context / History: Mercedes-Benz has acknowledged subframe corrosion defects in certain vehicles from approximately 2010–2020, but my specific vehicle was not included in the extended warranty coverage. This is the second Mercedes-Benz vehicle I have owned (previously a 2012 model) that has experienced the same subframe failure. I was previously told that this

The rear of the car would begin to slip during turns and when brakes were applied. When I had the issue checked out, my mechanic said that the rear subframe has severe corrosion, rust and holes. The subframe perforation is causing instability in the rear wheels, which is a safety issue. I took the car to Mercedes for an inspection and they confirmed the holes in the sub frame,with the inspector stating that the sub frame is "about to fall off". I believe this to be a safety issue as having the wheels or subframe fall off could cause fatalities. This appears to be a manufacturing defect given recalls for the same issue in other models of the 2015 c300. See video of the inspection of my car here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Rusted rear subframe. unsafe braking and suspension due to this. damage code 35441 47 shows 2008-2015 vins but my vin does not show active recall, yet has the issue

Mercedes issued a recall for Mercedes C class for the model year up to 2015 for rear subframe that is rusting with holes in it. The dealer tells me my car is not covered by Mercedes even though it is a 2015 model. They gave me an estimate for the repair of over $5000. They say the model changed mid 2015 and mine is a model that is not covered. This could cause a serious crash at high speed. I am not sure why that repair is not covered for my 2015 model & I would like Mercedes to honor the repair.

Exhaust camshaft pulse wheel shifted on camshaft. Replacement of camshaft, positioner, oil control valve, timing chain and chain tension was recommended.

The R&R rear subframe is showing premature corrosion that can cause structural failure. This can lead to rear suspension detachment, erratic driving behavior, and severe safety risks. This problem has been confirmed by the Mercedes Benz dealer. This has been inspected by the Mercedes Benz dealership. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior me finding out it was failing. I had a multi inspection performed on my car due to another issues and the MB service dept found it during that time. Which means if I had never had the multi inspection done due to another issue I was having with the car, I would not have known.

When buying this car from Auto Shoppers, they was an airbag light on but dealership said it was a sensor from auto detail on car or recall. Got diagnostic from Mercedes Benz, findings was there was no air bag in place on drivers side. Dealership did not tell us there was no air bag and only was a sensory/recall and are refusing to fix it.

Rear subframe rotted, hole like perforation on the frame. The current extended warranty covers the C204, but my Mercedes C300 2015 has a C205 that is the same part number, but for some reason the warranty does not cover the C205, but has the same identical issues as the C204.

The rear subframe completely rusted out on both sides causing the car to swerve very dangerously to the left when braking. The subframe was diagnosed by the dealer. There was a " collision prevention assist+ inoperative" warning a week prior the the car noticeably swerving when braking

REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AND BROKEN

Fuel pressure pump hose on top of the engine leaks gasoline this is a serious safety concern the hot engine can catch fire easily, I noticed due intoxicating vapors in cabin while driving because car takes air from q side of the engine to the cabin. The car only has 28k miles on it.

After strong fuel odor in interior of car, inspected the engine and discovered fuel in the top of the engine this is a serious safety concern due possible car fire. The leak appear to be due failure of a top engine gasoline hose due low quality. The car barely has 30k miles .

I have been informed by my dealer's service unit that the rear subframe of my car (2015 Mercedes C class) is rusted with holes. My understanding is that this can affect the integrity of the structure and cause problems while driving. According to your website [XXX] ) , this should be covered under a warranty extension. However, Mercedes says that my car is not, and to fill out this form if I believe it should be. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned? The low-pressure fuel feed line (Part No. 274-070-35-00) and its associated clamps connected to the high-pressure fuel pump. Availability: State: The defective hose is currently on the vehicle and is available for inspection. If the repair proceeds, I request the dealership to retain the failed part for my inspection. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure resulted in raw fuel leaking directly into the engine compartment. This creates an immediate and severe fire hazard, as gasoline is being released near high-temperature engine components. Furthermore, the strong odor of gasoline entered the cabin through the HVAC vents, exposing passengers to toxic fuel vapors while the vehicle was in operation. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed? Yes. The defect was confirmed by Mercedes-Benz of Orange Park (Dealer Code: 64111). The technician performed a 'cold start' inspection and verified fuel leaking from the low-pressure line to the high-pressure pump. > Note: My service advisor's admitted: Yes sir we will do the hose. 4. Has it been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, or others? Answer: The vehicle has been inspected and the failure documented by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership technician. It has not yet been inspected by insurance or police as no fire has occurred yet; however, the dealership has identified the part as defective. 5. Were there any warning lamps or

Strong gas odor coming from vent when heat and AC is on. Odor was causing dizziness and had to drive with window open or vent off. When opening the hood gas odor was also present. Brought to the mechanic and found fuel lines leaking. Went online and found out this is a very coming problem. I had to spend $657. to repair. Mechanic stated Mercedes issued a service bulletin but not a recall.

Purchased this car in September 2024 for our [XXX] son. Upon inspection at our local Mercedes Dealership on December 1, 2025, we were informed that the rear subframe should be immediately replaced as there is a rusted hole in the subframe, "compromising the structural integrity of the rear of the vehicle." We were informed that the prior bulletin issued for 2010-2014 C-Class models did not include our 2015 C-Class. We were quoted over $5200 to repair the subframe. There were no warning messages, lights problems that were noted, prior to inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I took my car for service and they found a rusted rear subframe, with a small hole in it. I was informed that the car was not safe for my annual trip from NJ to FL (about 1000 miles). I was also told that this defect was a recall for cars through 2014. My car is a 2015 and I have the same defective part - which is supposed to be manufactured with rustproof material. I am requesting that this car be recalled and the part replaced by the manufacturer.

The car suddenly glitched and locked itself—with my dog, my purse, my phone, everything—inside on an extremely hot day. There was no one around, and it was terrifying. I had opened the passenger door for my dog to climb in, and as I walked around to the driver’s side, the doors somehow locked on their own. Panic set in immediately. My dog, my phone, and my purse were all inside, and I had no way to call for help. We had just finished a walk, and then this happened out of nowhere. I had to run around searching for someone who could help. Eventually, I found a stranger who called the police, and they had to break the door open because it was over 100 degrees outside. I was terrified my dog would pass out from the heat. There were no warnings, no alerts, no messages. If it weren’t for that random stranger who happened to be there and willing to help, I don’t know how I would have gotten my dog out. It’s a reminder of the kindness of strangers, but the glitching car was truly terrifying and not ok.

My car’s rear subframe was so badly disintegrated due to severe corrosion. It made the driving so dangerous when braking and nearly caused an head-on collision. I have reported this issue under tracking number 11701609 and would like to provide pictures on the corrosion issue.

My wife first noticed loud noise from the back of the car when braking. Subsequently, when I drove it one day after, the car lost balance and nearly went into the opposite direction of the road on a two-lane street. The MB dealership later confirmed the problem was a severely corroded rear subframe that needs to be repaired at very significant expense. This is a serious safety issue that could have caused a head-on collision for me and my wife as a passenger on that occasion. I believe this issue warrants a full investigation by the NHTSA. I understand other Mercedes models such as the 2008-2015 C300 (W204) had the same corrosion issue and was under a recall but my car model (W205) was not covered by this recall. Thank you for your attention to this matter. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) MERCEDES-BENZ C200. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (HENDRICK MOTORS OF CHARLOTTE MERCEDES-BENZ, 5201 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28212) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.