Hello, my c250, 2013 Mercedes benz is the subject of manufacturer recall number: 2018030004, and NHTSA recall number: 18v043. This is in regards to the takata air bag defect. My Mercedes benz dealership sent me over ten (10) recall notices in the mail and via emails. Every time I called the dealerships to schedule a service appointment to replace the airbag, they would tell me that they don't…
2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class airbags problems
severe 257 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
257
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
12crashes
2fires
15injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 257 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 45% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 257 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: These 2013 C-Class models are subject to multiple critical Takata airbag recalls that remain unresolved for many owners years later—parts are unavailable, repairs incomplete, and some vehicles have been deliberately disarmed. A frontal crash with a disabled or absent airbag is a life-threatening risk, and buyers should verify full recall completion at a dealer before purchase.
The 2013 C-Class airbag failures break into two categories: defective Takata inflators known to rupture and scatter metal fragments on deployment, and systemic delays and botches in repair. Takata inflators were flagged in October 2017, with Mercedes issuing multiple recall notices stating parts were unavailable—a condition that persisted for many owners into 2020 or beyond. One owner waited 18 months and was told parts wouldn't arrive until 2020 when the car was already seven years old. Meanwhile, dealers disabled airbags as a holding pattern, leaving occupants unprotected. One owner whose airbags were turned off suffered a seizure at 35 mph, crashed, and required rescue by firefighters breaking the windshield; the side-curtain airbags never deployed.
Repair botches include dealers replacing only the passenger airbag when both driver and passenger bags should have been replaced, forcing owners to return when the driver-side warning light illuminated. Independent shops identified a steering control module communication failure linked to airbag malfunction, horn inoperability, and loss of steering wheel controls—a pattern one mechanic described as common. One dealer demanded $175 diagnosis plus $400 labor to investigate a recall-related problem, which owners rightly resisted. When frontal collisions occurred, several owners reported total failure to deploy despite severe crushing and occupant injury. The combination of known-defective parts, unavailable replacements, incomplete repairs, and disabled airbags created years of unresolved safety exposure for owners driving these vehicles unprepared for a crash.
Same Mercedes-Benz C-Class airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk
Defective Takata airbag inflators identified as prone to rupture during deployment, potentially releasing metal fragments that could injure or kill occupants. This is the core defect cited across the majority of complaints.
When: 2017–2020, ongoing from initial recall notification in October 2017 / January 2018
Symptoms owners cite: No immediate driver-detected symptom; defect is latent and only manifests upon airbag deployment in a crash; Takata recall notices explicitly warned: 'metal fragments could pass through airbag cushion material, resulting in injury or death'
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 18V043000, NHTSA Campaign 17V627000, NHTSA Campaign 19V010000, NHTSA Campaign 16V081000, Manufacturer Recall 2018030004, Manufacturer Recall 2019010001
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement parts were unavailable for extended periods; many owners reported parts still unavailable years after initial recall notice. Some dealers quoted $1,200+ for headrest replacement when defective headrests separated without accident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz issued multiple recall notices (October 2017, January 2018, February 2018) stating 'remedy not yet available.' Delayed part availability cited by dealers; some owners reported wait times of 18+ months to 2+ years. Takata later filed for bankruptcy. Mercedes initially told owners vehicle was 'safe to drive' despite stating in recall letters that metal fragments could cause injury or death.
Incomplete Recall Repairs
Dealers repaired only one airbag (usually passenger side) when recalls specified replacement of both driver and passenger airbags, or failed to complete repairs altogether.
When: 2018–2020
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag warning light illuminating after recall service; Instrument cluster displaying 'Front Left Malfunction Service Required'
Codes mentioned: Airbag warning light code present post-repair
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported Fletcher Jones Newport Beach repair order stated 'Replace Driver and Front Passenger Airbag' but only passenger airbag was replaced. Owner discovered issue when warning light came on. Dealer declined to correct the repair without additional cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented manufacturer response to incomplete repairs. One dealer (Mercedes-Benz of West Chester) noted as policy: airbags were turned off until parts became available, leaving occupants unprotected.
Airbag Malfunction Warning Light with Steering Wheel Control Failure
Driver reports steering wheel controls and horn became inoperable concurrently with airbag malfunction warning. Multiple owners confirmed this as common; repairman diagnosed 'no communication with steering control module.'
When: 2017–2020
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag malfunction light on dashboard ('Front Left Malfunction Service Required'); Steering wheel controls non-functional (volume, mode, answer buttons, etc.); Horn failure; Clicking sound from steering wheel area when turning; Instrument cluster displays airbag warning icon and message continuously
Codes mentioned: No communication with steering control module (independent repair shop diagnosis), NHTSA Campaign 2017120024 (Steering-related), 1709P46C62
Repairs/costs cited: Independent repair shop diagnosis: broken steering column module clock spring or electrostatic discharge issue affecting steering control module. One dealer quoted $175 diagnostic fee plus $400 labor to investigate; owners resisted what appeared to be unnecessary charges.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V627000 (October 2017) covered steering column module clock spring breakage leading to inadvertent driver airbag deployment. However, some dealers initially claimed no open recalls; owners had to cite campaign numbers to confirm applicability. No documented remedy timeline provided.
Airbag Non-Deployment in Frontal Collisions
Multiple owners reported severe frontal crashes with complete destruction of vehicle front end or significant impact, yet airbags failed to deploy. Incidents include head-on collisions and high-speed crashes.
When: Circa 2013 (at least one report within one month of purchase); 2019–2020
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal collision with crushed front end; Vehicle occupants sustained head and shoulder injuries despite no airbag protection
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented. Vehicles were totaled or underwent body shop repairs; no determination of cause made in narrative records.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer verbally advised 'sometimes airbags do not deploy' without further investigation. One dealer stated they had received no recall notification for campaign 18V043000 on the owner's vehicle, despite NHTSA database confirming applicability.
Airbags Disabled as Interim Measure Pending Parts Availability
Dealers disabled (turned off) driver and/or passenger airbags as interim policy while awaiting recall replacement parts, leaving occupants without frontal airbag protection for extended periods.
When: 2019–2020
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag disabled/off message on instrument panel; No symptom to driver while driving; defect is absence of protection
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 19V010000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner suffered a seizure while driving 35 mph and crashed vehicle onto its side; side curtain airbags remained on but did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled; occupant sustained concussion and tooth loss. Paramedics had to break windshield and sunroof to extract driver.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz of West Chester stated as policy that airbags would remain off until replacement parts became available. No documentation of alternative safety measures or loaner vehicle offers.
Passenger Airbag Enable/Disable Malfunction
Passenger airbag status randomly toggled between enabled and disabled while driving, with warning messages appearing on dashboard. Occurs unpredictably, rendering occupant protection unreliable.
When: New vehicles (4,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminating; Instrument cluster messages: 'Passenger Airbag Off' then 'Airbag Now Enabled Please See Driver Manual'; Toggling occurs repeatedly (5–6 times reported) over short driving sessions
Repairs/costs cited: Mercedes service unable to locate diagnostic codes. Owner instructed to videotape incidents for technician review; no resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented in narrative.
Headrest Separation Without Impact
Driver-side headrest separated or popped open while vehicle was stationary and driver was resting head against it. No accident or impact involved.
When: 2020
Symptoms owners cite: Headrest popped open or came loose while driver seated and vehicle at rest; Occurs without any accident or collision
Repairs/costs cited: Fletcher Jones attempted reset but failed. Dealer quoted $1,200 for replacement headrest.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented response. Owner characterized as defect and safety concern unrelated to normal accident scenarios.
Passenger Seat Belt Malfunction Following Recall Repair
After recall repair, passenger seat belt failed to buckle and operate properly, leaving front passenger unrestrained.
When: 2020, post-repair
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger seat belt fails to buckle; Seat belt does not secure occupant as needed
Repairs/costs cited: Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City provided estimate for seat belt repair; technician unable to duplicate warning sensor failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer had not been notified; vehicle not yet repaired per narrative.
Delayed Parts Availability Preventing Recall Completion
Across 257 complaints, the dominant theme is unavailability of replacement parts for years after initial recall notice. Owners unable to schedule repairs despite repeated recall notices from manufacturer.
When: October 2017–2020+ (some owners reporting 18+ months to 2+ years wait; some parts still unavailable by end of 2020)
Symptoms owners cite: No symptoms to driver initially; becomes symptom when airbag warning light illuminates (indicating existing defect) or in event of crash
Codes mentioned: VIN tool status: Parts not available, Status: 'Recall Incomplete, Remedy Not Yet Available'
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers uniformly reported parts on backorder, unavailable indefinitely, or with no confirmed ETA. One owner cited Takata bankruptcy as reason for part delays. Owners repeatedly told to call back in weeks/months; some received multiple recall notices (10+ in one case) with no progress.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz USA issued multiple recall notices (October 2017, January 2018, February 2018) but explicitly stated 'remedy not yet available' or 'parts unavailable.' By 2019, Mercedes website listed parts availability dates that slipped multiple times (2018 → early 2019 → April 2020). CEO letter to owners stated parts delay was 'out of his control.' Manufacturer told one owner they were 'low on the list' for part allocation. No loaner vehicles or rental stipends offered by Mercedes (contrast with other manufacturers like Nissan per owner report). Some owners cited litigation with Takata as ongoing reason for delay.
Synthesized from 257 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz c250. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 18v043000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notification in february of 2018. The contact spoke with two Mercedes-benz dealers: down town la motor (1801 south figueroa street, los angeles, ca 90015, (213) 748-8951) and fletcher jones motorcars…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz c250w. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v627000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz c250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v043000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes-benz of tampa (4400 n dale mabry hwy, tampa, fl 33614, (813) 579-2138) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the…
Takata recall
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz c250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 18v043000 (air bags) and 17v627000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
Waiting parts for safety belts issue dealers have not yet received.no accident involved no accident involved waiting for repair or replacement of air bag
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz c250. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the passenger air bag indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz c250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v627000 (air bags); however, 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 (silver star Mercedes-benz, 3905 auto mall dr, thousand oaks ca 91362) and was…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz c350. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 19v010000 (air bags). The contact stated that Mercedes-benz of edison (located at 123 main st, edison, nj 08817, (732) 549-6606) and Mercedes-benz of edison (located at 910 us-1, edison, nj 08817, (732) 394-1870) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 257 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 38 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 35,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 62,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Mercedes-Benz/C-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.