Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class with NHTSA between 2004 and 2011.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 9 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz C Class. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
33.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
60% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 compares with every other Mercedes Benz C Class
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
325.0%
Median failure at 43,620 miles
Engine & Cooling
216.7%
Median failure at 70,001 miles
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Equipment & Accessories
18.3%
Median failure at 32,073 miles
Seat Belts
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 20,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 77 miles
Airbags
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 20,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
Median failure at 18,300 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
110.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
440.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
330.0%
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.
Jun 2004peak 3Jul 2011
Recalls on the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202274010,460 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: Vehicles that were inspected under Transport Canada recalls 2019-668 and 2021-478 also require this inspection. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.
Recall 2021478432 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles inspected under Mercedes-Benz recall 7891003 (Transport Canada recall 2019-668) that require a second inspection. On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall affects 2006 and 2007 models originally equipped with a sunroof. Additionally, some 2001-2011 models may have had an affected sunroof installed during a repair. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.
Recall 201966830,219 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall affects 2006 and 2007 models originally equipped with a sunroof. Additionally, some 2001-2011 models may have had an affected sunroof installed during a repair. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.
Recall 20031994 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the nut on the bolt which connects the steering gear to the steering coupling may not be tightened correctly. Loosening of the nut could result in a slipping of the connection over time, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealer will inspect the vehicles and tighten the nut if necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 20,000 milesNicholasville, KYCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT WHICH CAUSED HER HEAD TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A HEAD INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 07/08/11
NHTSA complaint #10404062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesNicholasville, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT WHICH CAUSED HER HEAD TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A HEAD INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 07/08/11
NHTSA complaint #10404062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 70,000 milesScarsdale, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO FLUSH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION OR REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IF THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY FLUSHING THE SYSTEM, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER $2,000 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THERE WEE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO HER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE CONSUMER HAS TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/07/11.
NHTSA complaint #10411780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesNicholasville, KYCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT WHICH CAUSED HER HEAD TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A HEAD INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 07/08/11
NHTSA complaint #10404062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesNicholasville, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT WHICH CAUSED HER HEAD TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A HEAD INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 07/08/11
NHTSA complaint #10404062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
MY 2003 C240 MERCEDES PILOT BUSHING IS EXPERIENCING HEAVY OIL LEAK - THERE IS A CURRENT RE-CALL ON SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER MODELS. THE DEALER I USE TO SERVICE MY CARE, REFUSE TO REPAIR BECAUSE THEY SAID MY MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RE-CALL. 2ND ISSUE - MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURE DEFECTS . SOMETIMES HARD TO OPEN AND HAVE TO USE OTHER DOOR TO GET INTO CAR, DEALER REFUSE TO REPLACE THE DEFECT HANDLE WITH GOOD HANDLE.
NHTSA complaint #10261485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,003 milesJupiter, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2003 MERCEDES C240 STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROLONGED TURNPIKE TRAVEL ( 1.5 HOURS) AT EXIT RAMP TO AN ARTERIAL ROADWAY. THIS INCREASES REAREND ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. MERCEDES CHECKED VEHICLE BUT NO REPORT CODES INDICATED. SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE COMPUTER OF SENSOR RELATED. MERCEDES SUGGESTED PULLING OVER FOR 30 MIN. TO LET COMPUTER RESET. FIRST INCIDENT 12/17/08 SECOND INCIDENT 12/28/08.
NHTSA complaint #10253108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,003 milesJupiter, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 MERCEDES C240 STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROLONGED TURNPIKE TRAVEL ( 1.5 HOURS) AT EXIT RAMP TO AN ARTERIAL ROADWAY. THIS INCREASES REAREND ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. MERCEDES CHECKED VEHICLE BUT NO REPORT CODES INDICATED. SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE COMPUTER OF SENSOR RELATED. MERCEDES SUGGESTED PULLING OVER FOR 30 MIN. TO LET COMPUTER RESET. FIRST INCIDENT 12/17/08 SECOND INCIDENT 12/28/08.
NHTSA complaint #10253108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77 milesElmhurst, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES C240. SHE STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FAST ENOUGH TO SAFELY MERGE IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO ASSIST HER AND THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE DUE TO HER VEHICLE BEING A LEMON. THE FAILURE WAS 77 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,900.
NHTSA complaint #10198750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,073 milesOklahoma City, OK
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHILE DRIVING WITH A/C SET ON "AUTO" THE A/C SYSTEM WOULD SUDDENLY TURN OFF BY ITSELF AND WOULD TURN OF REPEATEDLY WHEN STARTED AGAIN. DURING SUCH EPISODES THE A/C WOULD ACT ERRATIC WITH FANS TURNING ON AND OFF AT DIFFERENT OUTLETS, CYCLES BETWEEN HEATING AND COOLING, AND MAKES HISSING SOUNDS. THIS WOULD OCCUR MANY TIMES A DAY ON A DAILY BASIS IN SUMMER WEATHER (EXCEPT WHEN THE CAR IS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, IT SEEMS). IT TOOK ABOUT 2 YEARS FOR THE DEALER TO FINALLY FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY COULD NOT AVOID ADMITTING ITS EXISTENCE AFTER I HAD VIDEO TAPED THE MALFUNCTION AND SHOWED THEM THE VIDEO..
NHTSA complaint #10198649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,620 milesQueens Village, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES C240 STATION WAGON WITH ABOUT 42000 MILES, A FEW DAYS AGO I OBSERVED SOME MESSAGES ON DASH WHICH SEEM TO INDICATE ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN HEAVILY USED AND I AM SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT A NEW ALTERNATOR MAY BE NEEDED, THIS BECAUSE A FRIEND WITH C CLASS SEDAN HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE JUST 2 WEEKS AGO AND COST HIM $1500 TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR & BATTERY. I BELIEVE THERE MAY BE MANY MORE FOLKS THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION AND PROBABLY THE C CLASS MERCEDES ARE OUTFITTED WITH FAULTY ALTERNATORS AND INVESTIGATION MAY BE IN ORDER HERE.
NHTSA complaint #10198454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,300 milesArcadia, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY MERCEDES-BENZ C-240 (2003 MODEL), HAVING LESS THAN 18500 MILES, SUDDENLY LOST POWER AFTER SOME 2-HOUR WORTH OF FREE-WAY DRIVING. AROUND NOON ON FRIDAY, 8/26/05, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH -BOUND ON I-15 PAST VICTORVILLE (CA), ABOUT 9 MILES PAST THE EXIT FOR ROUTE 18, WHEN MY C-240 SUDDENLY LOST POWER. AS I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, I FELT NO POWER AND THE RPM WAS DECREASING. IT FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE ENGINE-TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WAS SHUTTING DOWN. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. I MADE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LETTING OTHER VEHICLES KNOW I WAS COMING OFF THE FREE-WAY. I MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER SAFELY AND CAME TO FULL STOP ON THE GRAVEL. AT THAT TIME, MY DIGITAL ODOMETER READ "1 MALFUNCTION". USING MY CELL PHONE, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE MERCEDES HOTLINE. THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE, KRISTIN, ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THE "1 MALFUNCTION" SIGN BECAME "NO MALFUNCTION" A LITTLE LATER. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER IN RIVERSIDE, SOME 50 MILES AWAY. AT THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPT, AFTER A BASIC CHECK INVOLVING COMPUTER AND ELECTRONICS, SOME FAULTY IDENTIFICATIONS WERE MADE, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE SAFE AND DRIVABLE. I DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME, PLANNING TO HAVE A MAJOR CHECK UP LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10134422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,300 milesArcadia, CA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MY MERCEDES-BENZ C-240 (2003 MODEL), HAVING LESS THAN 18500 MILES, SUDDENLY LOST POWER AFTER SOME 2-HOUR WORTH OF FREE-WAY DRIVING. AROUND NOON ON FRIDAY, 8/26/05, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH -BOUND ON I-15 PAST VICTORVILLE (CA), ABOUT 9 MILES PAST THE EXIT FOR ROUTE 18, WHEN MY C-240 SUDDENLY LOST POWER. AS I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, I FELT NO POWER AND THE RPM WAS DECREASING. IT FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE ENGINE-TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WAS SHUTTING DOWN. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. I MADE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LETTING OTHER VEHICLES KNOW I WAS COMING OFF THE FREE-WAY. I MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER SAFELY AND CAME TO FULL STOP ON THE GRAVEL. AT THAT TIME, MY DIGITAL ODOMETER READ "1 MALFUNCTION". USING MY CELL PHONE, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE MERCEDES HOTLINE. THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE, KRISTIN, ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THE "1 MALFUNCTION" SIGN BECAME "NO MALFUNCTION" A LITTLE LATER. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER IN RIVERSIDE, SOME 50 MILES AWAY. AT THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPT, AFTER A BASIC CHECK INVOLVING COMPUTER AND ELECTRONICS, SOME FAULTY IDENTIFICATIONS WERE MADE, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE SAFE AND DRIVABLE. I DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME, PLANNING TO HAVE A MAJOR CHECK UP LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10134422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suffern, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WHILE BEING SHIPPED. *MR *SC
NHTSA complaint #10075879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.