AI Damage2013 Mercedes-Benz C204: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C204 filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 75% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Electronic stability control 25% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 25% of all complaints
- Air bags: 3 complaints (75% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My electronic steering lock failed. Luckily, I was parked but now the car will not start, or unlock the steering wheel. If this failed while I was driving it would be a danger.
This recall has been open 11 months with no remedy yet available. I'm afraid to drive with passengers in the front seat due to the faulty air bag that exists in my car. Please make the manufacturer replace the defective air bag so that my car is safe once again.
Mercedes-benz contacted me about the recall to fix the issue but the recall states 'recall incomplete remedy not yet available'. If this is the case then why did they contact me to supposedly fix the issue?
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,524 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the C204 has 4 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 4, about average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C204?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, electronic stability control. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: won't start (25%), steering or power steering problems (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C204?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C204 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.