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FaultScore report

2000 Mercedes Benz C Class problems

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2000 Mercedes Benz C Class with NHTSA between 2004 and 2011. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 9 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz C Class All 2000 cars
A

FaultScore 13/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz C Class.

How this is worked out

The numbers

13

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

69,400 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 26 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz C Class. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2000 compares with every other Mercedes Benz C Class

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2000 Mercedes Benz C Class

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Stability & Traction Control 2 15.4%

Median failure at 95,550 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 15.4%

Median failure at 95,550 miles

Brakes 2 15.4%

Median failure at 95,550 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 15.4%

Median failure at 36,806 miles

Tires 1 7.7%

Median failure at 51,000 miles

Suspension 1 7.7%

Median failure at 157,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 7.7%

Median failure at 157,000 miles

Electrical System 1 7.7%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 7.7%

Median failure at 58,800 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 8.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 41.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 8.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 25.0%
150,000+ miles 2 16.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 2004 peak 3 Sep 2011

NHTSA investigations into the 2000 Mercedes Benz C Class

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP05007 Opened 7 Nov 2005 Closed 27 Mar 2006 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE...

PE03058 Opened 17 Dec 2003 Closed 22 Apr 2004 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF...

SQ01010 Opened 25 Sep 2001 Closed 4 Feb 2002 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 138,800 miles Knoxville, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT A CONSTANT VELOCITY, MY CAR APPLIED BRAKING FORCE TO THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) WHEEL, RAPIDLY AND SUDDENLY. THE BAS ESP LIGHT THEN CAME ON AND REMAINED ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10424745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,800 miles Knoxville, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT A CONSTANT VELOCITY, MY CAR APPLIED BRAKING FORCE TO THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) WHEEL, RAPIDLY AND SUDDENLY. THE BAS ESP LIGHT THEN CAME ON AND REMAINED ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10424745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,800 miles Knoxville, TN

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHILE TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT A CONSTANT VELOCITY, MY CAR APPLIED BRAKING FORCE TO THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) WHEEL, RAPIDLY AND SUDDENLY. THE BAS ESP LIGHT THEN CAME ON AND REMAINED ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10424745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,301 miles Marietta, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CAR: 2000 MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR DRIVING AT 55MPH, THE CAR'S FRONT RIGHT BRAKE SUDDENLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL FOR A MOMENT. THE BRAKE THEN RELEASES AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!!! I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT IS THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR STEERING POSITION SENSOR. THE FIX IS $1100. THIS IS A TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS CAR AND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IN VARIOUS FORUMS THERE ARE NUMEROUS OWNERS IN BOTH THE C AND ML CLASS VEHICLES (THEY USE THE SAME EXACT SAME PART NUMBERS) THAT EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAKE TIME TO LOOK INTO THIS. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD AND THIS CAN AND WILL CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10334928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,301 miles Marietta, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CAR: 2000 MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR DRIVING AT 55MPH, THE CAR'S FRONT RIGHT BRAKE SUDDENLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL FOR A MOMENT. THE BRAKE THEN RELEASES AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!!! I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT IS THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR STEERING POSITION SENSOR. THE FIX IS $1100. THIS IS A TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS CAR AND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IN VARIOUS FORUMS THERE ARE NUMEROUS OWNERS IN BOTH THE C AND ML CLASS VEHICLES (THEY USE THE SAME EXACT SAME PART NUMBERS) THAT EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAKE TIME TO LOOK INTO THIS. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD AND THIS CAN AND WILL CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10334928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,301 miles Marietta, GA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR: 2000 MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR DRIVING AT 55MPH, THE CAR'S FRONT RIGHT BRAKE SUDDENLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL FOR A MOMENT. THE BRAKE THEN RELEASES AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!!! I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT IS THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR STEERING POSITION SENSOR. THE FIX IS $1100. THIS IS A TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS CAR AND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IN VARIOUS FORUMS THERE ARE NUMEROUS OWNERS IN BOTH THE C AND ML CLASS VEHICLES (THEY USE THE SAME EXACT SAME PART NUMBERS) THAT EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAKE TIME TO LOOK INTO THIS. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD AND THIS CAN AND WILL CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10334928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 157,000 miles Indianapolis, IN

SUSPENSION

I HAD JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY, AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING SOCKET THAT CONNECTS TO THE UNIBODY HAD RUSTED AND BROKE, DROPPING THE SUSPENSION ON TOP THE TIRE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SOCKET WAS RUSTED AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO MENTIONED THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT MERCEDES HAD YET TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10330537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 157,000 miles Indianapolis, IN

STRUCTURE

I HAD JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY, AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING SOCKET THAT CONNECTS TO THE UNIBODY HAD RUSTED AND BROKE, DROPPING THE SUSPENSION ON TOP THE TIRE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SOCKET WAS RUSTED AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO MENTIONED THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT MERCEDES HAD YET TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10330537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Ormond Village, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WERE UNABLE TO BE READ, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1,500 TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10261743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,806 miles Yorba Linda, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,806.

NHTSA complaint #10193826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,800 miles Sacramento, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT BOX NOT SEALED PROPERLY TO PROTECT AGAINST WATER SPILLS. THIS CAN STOP YOUR CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10160212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles LOS Altos, CA

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, REAR TIRE FAILED (BLEWUP). TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH GOOD AMOUNTS OF TREAD. CAR, ROAD, TEMPERATURE, SPEED ALL WERE IN NORMAL CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10062348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Astoria, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED AT 52000.

NHTSA complaint #10055181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.