26 of the 249 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz C Class are about the engine — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
26
Complaints
10%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH WHEN SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 221,000.
NHTSA complaint #10456952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2004 MERCEDES BENZ C- CLASS WAGON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECT THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION, TORQUE CONVERTER AND RADIATOR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS FORCED TO SPEND OVER SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, TO CORRECT A DEFECT MERCEDES BENZ WAS AWARE OF.
NHTSA complaint #10437010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT DETECTED EXTREMELY SMALL FLAMES AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10421214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING MOMENTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V058000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,293.
NHTSA complaint #10376256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE MANUFACTURER (MB-USA IN NY), LOCAL DEALERS, OWNERS AND READING VARIOUS WEBSITES, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR I AM AWARE OF IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THE DISINTEGRATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL ENGINE HEAT IRREGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A AFFECTED CAR WITH HIGHER MILES IS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FAILING OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS NATURALLY ALSO LEAVES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF OLDER AFFECTED CARS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGEROUS AND FATAL EFFECTS OF A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND ISSUE A RECALL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE OWNERS. I KNOW THAT MY CAR FALLS IN THE CATEGORY WHERE THE HARNESS IS POSSIBLY BAD, AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THE MY CAR'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HOPE AT THE LEAST YOU CAN SEEK A RESOLUTION FOR ME FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REMEDYING A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE MODEL I OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10299650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CRANKSHAFT CENTER AND THERMOSTAT ISSUE. THE CRANKSHAFT CENTER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND IT WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLED OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $700. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH SHOWED THAT ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WOULD ALSO BE NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,193.
NHTSA complaint #10265511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OR HIGHER, THE ESP INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED ONCE BEFORE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT ORDER THE PARTS AND MAKE THE REPAIR AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 09/23/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED IN BRAKING MODE.
NHTSA complaint #10239832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240 SEDAN WITH 78,000 MILES ON IT. UPON LEAVING WORK TWO WEEKS AGO DRIVING DOWN THE PARKING LOT IN SECOND GEAR THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE THE WORST ENGINE NOISE I EVER HEARD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. IF I WAS TRAVELING DOWN AN INTERSTATE AND THIS BROKE AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS IN NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE CAR I HAVE A SERVICE FILE FULL OF PROBLEMS AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY ON THINGS LIKE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WHICH ALSO COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THEY BREAK AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10219969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
STALLING IN TRAFFIC CAUSED BY FAILURE OF CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10214727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10214173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHAKES WHILE DEPRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10164130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES C43, I LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS ON OUR VEHICLES. THIS PART WHEN FAULTY WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START WHEN THE CAR IS WARM. WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME TO "COOL DOWN" THE CAR WILL START. I WAS AT THE DEALER TODAY, AND THEY ARE AWARE THIS IS A HIGH FAILURE ITEM ON THIS MODEL. AS WELL AS THE CLK430, AND S430. BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. THERE ISN'T ANY SIGN THAT THIS PART IS FAILING, ON SOME INSTANCES THE CAR JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. I AM NOW AWAITING THE PART TO COME IN, AND WILL HAVE IT REPLACED ON THURSDAY THE 27TH.
NHTSA complaint #10163463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10089776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE HOOD AND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ,BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10087821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE 1ST INCIDENT; MY MERCEDES C240 WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS NEW. 2ND INCIDENT AT 10.5 MOS, 3RD: EXACLTY 1 YEAR, 4TH: 1 YR/3 WKS, 5TH: 13 MOS. ALL 5 TIMES THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT DYING OUT OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, & BRAKES. 3 OF THE 5 INCIDENTS THE CAR WOULD NOT START & REQUIRED A TOW TO THE DEALER, HAVING THE DEALERS WORK ON THE CAR ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR DIE OUT AGAIN. BIGGEST COMPLAINT BESIDES MINE, MY CHILDREN, & OTHER FELLOW FREEWAY TRAVELERS LIVES BEING IN DANGER IS THE LACK AND DISRESPCTFUL ATTITUDE OF THAT FROM MERCEDES BENZ'S CUSTOMER SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10070703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON ONE OCCASION, BUT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE SECOND TIME. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10065172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.