2014 C300 4Matic Transmission jolt/jerking problem
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 283
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, ON
2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC (current) 2006 C280 Elegance 4MATIC (sold)
I have a question here. I remember riding in a CLS500 when my Dad was looking for a car and it had the early version of the 7 speed auto. I found it busy and somewhat herky jerky and read abut numerous problems. How do the 7 speed units normally shift when working properly? Is it as seamless as what you'd find in a BMW?
While I love MB cars and mine works just fine I hope MB gets their act together otherwise they'll see a ton of their customers heading over to Lexus.
While I love MB cars and mine works just fine I hope MB gets their act together otherwise they'll see a ton of their customers heading over to Lexus.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 304
Likes: 75
2022 AMG GT 53, 2020 Sl450. Did drive 2018 S450
my experience - they replaced my transmission twice. First time same problem. Second time they had a master tech work on the car-he replaced the tranny and reprogrammed everything. it shifts better than it did when brand new 4 years ago. i had 2 loaners during the tranny replacements, each for a 3 week period, both c300 4matic 2014's. the first shifted terribly, jerky etc. The second loaner shifted the way it supposed to. I do believe the master tech new what he was doing the second time they replaced my tranny.
Last edited by Merserybenze; Apr 22, 2014 at 06:44 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Chumbalone Nation Chicago)
2014 C300 4Matic
I drove a Audi S4 this weekend. Their new S-Tronic 7 speed dual clutch is hands down the best transmission I've ever driven both in automatic and manual modes.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
C350 Sports Sedan
Transmission shifting roughly
+1 here with same issue on a brand new C350 Sport Sedan (not 4MATIC). Took it to the dealer and they checked software version and fluid levels, reporting all is up to spec. However a few times a week my transmission shifts really hard or seems like it does not know what to do.
I did not expect to pay +$50K for a new car and have it shift worse than any other car (including my $12K Civic!) that I have owned. Anyone get any resolution with this?
I did not expect to pay +$50K for a new car and have it shift worse than any other car (including my $12K Civic!) that I have owned. Anyone get any resolution with this?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 71
Likes: 10
2014 C300 4matic
My car has been out of my driveway for almost a month without resolution to the issue, and they have been trying to fix the car since January; yet Mercedes continues to take monthly payments out of my bank account.
To my knowledge, Mercedes is unable to fix this. I would be happy to learn that they can, but I am not expecting that to be the case. It seems that when owners complain, they are told it is normal. Some accept that and for those who persist, its a process of reprogramming the transmission, and if the complaints continue, the reprogramming is redone and the transfer case is included. If complaints continue, they install a new valve body. This also will not work, as I have learned. If there were a fix, wouldn't they do that right from the outset, rather than waste money on all the other things? To me, this looks like a delay tactic to put folks off while they pray that folks give up.
After all, we are only lowly C Class owners, not like we deserve any respect, right? This has become a joke at my wife's office (its her car) and we feel ripped off and abused. We bargained for a brand new prestige car and got a piece of complete garbage.
I would use a stronger word but the system won't let me say "****"
To my knowledge, Mercedes is unable to fix this. I would be happy to learn that they can, but I am not expecting that to be the case. It seems that when owners complain, they are told it is normal. Some accept that and for those who persist, its a process of reprogramming the transmission, and if the complaints continue, the reprogramming is redone and the transfer case is included. If complaints continue, they install a new valve body. This also will not work, as I have learned. If there were a fix, wouldn't they do that right from the outset, rather than waste money on all the other things? To me, this looks like a delay tactic to put folks off while they pray that folks give up.
After all, we are only lowly C Class owners, not like we deserve any respect, right? This has become a joke at my wife's office (its her car) and we feel ripped off and abused. We bargained for a brand new prestige car and got a piece of complete garbage.
I would use a stronger word but the system won't let me say "****"
Last edited by Huz-Z; Apr 23, 2014 at 03:03 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Chumbalone Nation Chicago)
2014 C300 4Matic
Just heard from my service rep at the dealer. The technician who drove the car said there is definitely something wrong and through the MBUSA case manager they have opened a case with Germany. We'll see where this goes but its the correct direction!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
See my sig
This is more than the c class people
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
So ridiculous. The 2013 C300 is the same as the 2014 C300. M276 engine with 7G Plus transmission. The 2014s have the issue.
Hey MB - fail back to the TCU settings you used for 2013 builds. Why are they making it so difficult?
Hey MB - fail back to the TCU settings you used for 2013 builds. Why are they making it so difficult?
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
2013 C300 4matic
2013 c300 4matic transmission jerky
I have the exact same problem since beginning! Its happening during warming up the engine. At 40km the up/down shifts hard. Its less noticeable when warmed up but you still feel the transmission shifting rough. If you try speeding up to 80km you will feel another rough shifting. I took to my dealer (maple location in canada) where I bought the car to get repair but all I get was run around. They said it is "normal". left the car there overnight so they can reproduce the same issue.....so in the end they reprogrammed the transmission for that 4th gear. Improved little but after couple times driving it came back the same issue. Taking back again to a different dealer this time. They told me it's normal again but I insist on something is wrong and then they said there is firmware update on the transmission.
I had so many issues with the car ....fan blower was broken, back door is not sealed in, alignment was off, steering is not straight ( took in 3 times), my engine dies on warm start up, eco turns off completely no power by itself.
I am going to write a letter to Mercedes. This is the worst new car I bought. Taking in for repair again on May 6. I will keep you updated.
I had so many issues with the car ....fan blower was broken, back door is not sealed in, alignment was off, steering is not straight ( took in 3 times), my engine dies on warm start up, eco turns off completely no power by itself.
I am going to write a letter to Mercedes. This is the worst new car I bought. Taking in for repair again on May 6. I will keep you updated.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 6
2014 C300 4Matic
I have an appointment again tomorrow. Last evening it jerked again before stopping when I hit the brakes. Last week the dealer said they updated the software and corrected the fluid level. It was smooth until 2 days later it started jerking ( intermittently) while stopping at red lights when you apply brakes a little harder than usual. This was not the case before and it jerked during up climb and downshifting from 5 to 4 or 3.
Someone said it rght, it's becoming a joke at work.
Someone said it rght, it's becoming a joke at work.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
It's been a joke at my work!
All my colleagues have seen me drive is loaner vehicles. Mostly 2013 c300's and they have all had smooth transmissions
What happened in 2014???
And why is it just the 5th to 4th downshift??
There's no possible way Mbusa does not know about this.
All my colleagues have seen me drive is loaner vehicles. Mostly 2013 c300's and they have all had smooth transmissions
What happened in 2014???
And why is it just the 5th to 4th downshift??
There's no possible way Mbusa does not know about this.
Last edited by PeterUbers; Apr 25, 2014 at 12:14 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
2013 C300 4matic
I have the exact same problem since beginning! Its happening during warming up the engine. At 40km the up/down shifts hard. Its less noticeable when warmed up but you still feel the transmission shifting rough. If you try speeding up to 80km you will feel another rough shifting. I took to my dealer (maple location in canada) where I bought the car to get repair but all I get was run around. They said it is "normal". left the car there overnight so they can reproduce the same issue.....so in the end they reprogrammed the transmission for that 4th gear. Improved little but after couple times driving it came back the same issue. Taking back again to a different dealer this time. They told me it's normal again but I insist on something is wrong and then they said there is firmware update on the transmission.
I had so many issues with the car ....fan blower was broken, back door is not sealed in, alignment was off, steering is not straight ( took in 3 times), my engine dies on warm start up, eco turns off completely no power by itself.
I am going to write a letter to Mercedes. This is the worst new car I bought. Taking in for repair again on May 6. I will keep you updated.
I had so many issues with the car ....fan blower was broken, back door is not sealed in, alignment was off, steering is not straight ( took in 3 times), my engine dies on warm start up, eco turns off completely no power by itself.
I am going to write a letter to Mercedes. This is the worst new car I bought. Taking in for repair again on May 6. I will keep you updated.
that could just be the fluid is not warmed up in the morning which is why the shift is a little rougher....
my 2013 c300 shifts like butter with zero issue
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
C 300 4 matic
I wish that for those who having problem, (and I am sorry for that) they would identify the country of their MB. I picked up my 2014 C 300 4 matic, new, last month and after driving gently for the 1st 1200 miles have had zero jerky trans. issues. I mean as a auto ot does have spots that if you know what you are doing you give a little more gas to cause it to shift or hold the gear. i have had zero issues on the way down, so while I am happy, I do wonder how wide spread the issue is/
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 188
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore, MD
2018 E300 Luxury w/P2
My car was built in Germany,January of this year. 3,000 miles and maybe 1 or 2 hard shifts.
I drive it in the "E" mode and for the most part gently.I do get on the gas now and then and seems to be ok
I drive it in the "E" mode and for the most part gently.I do get on the gas now and then and seems to be ok
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
My e550 was built in Germany in July 2014, my second e550 built in Germany march 2014
Both with hard downshifts warm or cold
Both with hard downshifts warm or cold
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
C 300 4 matic
I am sorry that I wasn't clear. I do not think the country of origin for the build matters. I think they are all built in Germany (although the 2015 will be built in america) Reading these posts, it seems like some of the problem may be in the set up for various markets since most do a re-programing as the 1st fix. i was just wondering if the incidence of problems was greater in some countries.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 71
Likes: 10
2014 C300 4matic
I am also in Canada. I expect that the differences between the US and Canadian 4matic control set-up are very minor if not negligible.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 71
Likes: 10
2014 C300 4matic
Its so sad really. I started out wanting a different car but my wife insisted on the C Class, so we got it. It didn't take long for the build quality and throaty V-6 to win me over. I had just decided that I loved the car when the transmission problem cropped up. Its been a total disaster ever since.
