I have been having constant issues with the steering and airbag lights going on. I was also in a bad rear end wreck in 2016 and the airbags did not deploy. I have been calling santander consumers about the issue and they don't care and are still making me pay my more. The Mercedes dealer has said that the recalls are pending and they do not have the parts to fix the issue. So I have stopped…
2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class steering problems
severe 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 47 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 47 steering 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.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 C-Class has serious documented steering and suspension defects: electronic steering locks fail unexpectedly (costing $1,000–$2,000 to repair and stranding owners), rear subframes rust through causing dangerous braking instability, and steering components fail with parts unavailable or long delays. Recalls remain unfixed for years, and Mercedes refuses to address known defects in out-of-warranty cars.
Owners report three main steering system failures on 2013 C-Class vehicles:
Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) failures prevent the car from starting and lock the steering wheel in place, leaving owners stranded. Repair costs $1,140–$2,000, and Mercedes dealerships refuse to sell parts separately—you must use their service. Multiple owners state this is a common defect in 2008–2014 models that Mercedes has since fixed in later vehicles but still charges premium pricing to repair.
Rear subframe rust causes the structural frame to corrode and deteriorate even on low-mileage cars parked most of the year. Control arm brackets detach or crack, making the car pull violently left or right under braking and creating loss of rear suspension control. Owners report repair costs exceeding $5,000, and service advisors confirm this failure is frequent but not recalled in the USA—though an identical defect triggered recall in Canada with free replacement.
Steering column clock spring and grounding defects (related to NHTSA recalls 17V627 and 2017120022) activate airbag warning lights and clicking noises. Recall parts remain unavailable for months, leaving owners with disabled dashboards and unfixed safety warnings. One owner reports the same steering column component failed again shortly after the recall repair was supposedly completed, yet Mercedes contradicted whether the repair was ever done.
Same Mercedes-Benz C-Class steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Column Lock Failure (Electronic Steering Lock / ESL)
Electronic steering lock motor burns out, preventing vehicle start and locking the steering wheel in place. Owners report being stranded and unable to start the car. The component fails during parking and occasionally while driving.
When: Various mileages; some failures occur early in vehicle ownership (under 22,000 miles); others at higher mileages (80,000-100,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks and will not turn; Vehicle will not start; Clicking or ticking noise from steering wheel area; No power to vehicle when ESL module burns out; Power steering warning indicator illuminates
Codes mentioned: ELV lock failure, ESL system malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $1,140.70–$2,000+ at dealership. Dealership will not sell replacement parts separately; repair must be done in-house. Lead time of 30 days from Germany for some replacement components.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes-Benz refused reimbursement in at least one documented case. No recall issued for this defect.
Rear Subframe Rust and Structural Failure
Rear subframe corrodes and rusts through from inside out, causing control arm brackets to detach or crack. This creates loss of suspension support and dangerous handling during braking. The defect is not visually detectable during routine maintenance and occurs even on low-mileage vehicles. A similar defect has triggered recall in Canada but not the USA.
When: Reported at mileages of 22,271 miles (after 7 years with minimal use), 80,000 miles, 95,000 miles, 100,000 miles, 130,000 miles; appears to affect vehicles across multiple model years (2008–2014)
Symptoms owners cite: Car pulls hard to left or right during braking, especially on highway; Violent swerving when braking; Shimmy or shaking during braking or on interstate; Squeaking and clunking sounds from rear; Loss of control of rear wheel(s); Suspension components detached or cracked
Repairs/costs cited: Subframe replacement cost exceeds $5,000 at dealership. One owner paid for full subframe and related parts replacement. No warranty coverage after manufacturer warranty expires.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service advisors acknowledge this is not uncommon and seen frequently. Mercedes-Benz is aware but will not repair or supply parts in USA. A similar defect has been recalled in Canada with free replacement; not recalled in USA.
Steering Wheel Becomes Hard to Turn or Unresponsive
Steering wheel suddenly becomes difficult to turn or completely fails to respond when turning. Front wheels will not turn even when steering wheel is turned. Power steering system malfunction occurs at highway speeds and during parking maneuvers.
When: At 55 mph during highway driving; at 69,000 miles; at 95,000 miles; one case at 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult to turn; Steering wheel will not respond to input; Front wheels will not turn when steering wheel is turned; Power steering warning indicator illuminates; No warning light before failure in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported part number changed from 2043500141 to 2073509702; replacement not available in US with 30-day lead time from Germany.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: At least one contact's VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign 17V252000 (Steering) despite experiencing identical failure listed in the recall.
Steering Column Lock Failure with Airbag Warning Light and Clicking
Broken steering column module clock spring causes airbag warning light to illuminate and clicking/ticking noise from steering wheel. Combined with insufficient grounding, electrostatic discharge could trigger inadvertent airbag deployment. Dashboard becomes disabled with multiple warning messages.
When: Mileages not specified in most narratives; recall issued October 2017 (NHTSA 17V627)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; Red airbag warning lamp activates; Clicking or ticking noise from steering wheel; Dashboard disabled with warning messages; Loss of instrument cluster functions (horn, volume buttons, tire pressure display, fuel range, etc.)
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 17V627, Manufacturer recall 2017100005, Broken steering column module clock spring
Repairs/costs cited: Recall parts not available for extended periods (over 5 months in at least one case). Dealers unable to complete repair work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V627 issued for steering column module clock spring and insufficient grounding. Manufacturer remedy parts were delayed or unavailable. Some owners report recall repair was completed in 2018, but identical failure recurred within a few years.
Steering Column Lock Defect with Repeated Failure After Recall Repair
Steering column lock fails completely, immobilizing vehicle. Conflicting documentation from Mercedes-Benz regarding whether recall repair (Campaign 2017120022) was completed. Same component failure recurs after purported recall repair within a few years, suggesting inadequate remedy or improper repair execution.
When: Original failure; recall repair claimed May 2018; recurrent failure shortly after (within few years)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete steering column lock; Vehicle immobilization; Steering wheel locked in place
Codes mentioned: Recall Campaign 2017120022
Repairs/costs cited: Repair estimate exceeds $2,500. Steering trained master technicians confirm such failures are rare and unusual shortly after replacement, suggesting defective remedy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Campaign 2017120022 issued for steering column defect. Conflicting corporate information regarding completion of repair; recall documentation integrity questioned. No reimbursement offered for failed recall remedy.
Steering Wheel Trim Sharp Edges / Material Degradation
Metallic aluminum trim on top of steering wheel frays and develops sharp edges, causing lacerations to hands and fingers. Multiple owners report identical issue from peeling or degrading trim material.
When: Not specified; occurs during normal vehicle use and handling
Symptoms owners cite: Aluminum trim peels off steering wheel; Sharp edges on steering wheel trim; Hand and finger lacerations when touching steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement requested; waiting for parts availability.
Steering Wheel Tilt/Adjustment Mechanism Failure
Tilt and telescoping mechanism for steering wheel fails to operate or stops functioning after temporary repair.
When: After approximately 5 years of ownership; recurring failure within 6 months of dealer service
Symptoms owners cite: Tilt mechanism will not operate; Steering wheel cannot be adjusted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer completed temporary fix without documented procedure; mechanism failed again within 6 months.
Ignition Switch Malfunction / Electronic Steering Lock Related
Ignition switch fails suddenly without warning, preventing vehicle start. Combined with steering wheel lock, causes complete vehicle immobilization. Appears related to electronic steering lock system failure.
When: Without warning; at varying mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Steering wheel lock combined with ignition failure; No indication of problem before failure
Codes mentioned: ESL failure, Ignition switch malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Repair quote $2,000; owners report this is a common issue with 2013 and earlier C-Class models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage after manufacturer warranty expires. Dealers state parts must come from Germany with long lead times.
Synthesized from 47 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-benz c300. While at a stop light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained whiplash that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. In addition, the contact heard a ticking noise coming from the steering wheel. The steering wheel…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 47 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 35,500 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 69,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,500; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.