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FaultScore report

2005 Mercedes Benz C320 problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes Benz C320 with NHTSA between 2005 and 2021. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz C320 All 2005 cars
B

FaultScore 29/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz C320.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

110,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

13%

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 16 vs 50 Severity 54 vs 50 Early failure 23 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 16
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz C320. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 54
10.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 23
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2005 compares with every other Mercedes Benz C320

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 2005 Mercedes Benz C320

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

Engine & Cooling 5 26.3%

Median failure at 59,376 miles

Seats 3 15.8%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 75,500 mi

Other & Unspecified 2 10.5%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

Lights 2 10.5%

Median failure at 146,233 miles

Airbags 2 10.5%

Median failure at 122,000 miles

Electrical System 2 10.5%

Median failure at 123,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 5.3%

Median failure at 171,000 miles

Steering 1 5.3%

Median failure at 136,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 5.3%

When it fails

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

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 6.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 13.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 20.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 7 46.7%
150,000+ miles 2 13.3%

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.

Nov 2005 peak 3 Feb 2021

NHTSA investigations into the 2005 Mercedes Benz C320

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.

1 investigation is still open.

EA21002 Opened 17 Sep 2021 Still open AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 75,500 miles Reading, PA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING BURNING ODOR PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A QUARTER SIZE HOLE THAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE CONTACT'S LEFT PANT LEG. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,500.

NHTSA complaint #10481440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Alexandria, VA Fire

SEATS

MY DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER CAUGHT FIRE YESTERDAY WHILE IN USE. IT STARTED WITH SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACKREST PORTION OF THE SEAT AFTER SWITCHING THE HEATER ON, AND THEN BEGAN TO FLAME. I TURNED OFF THE WARMER SWITCH AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. I NOW HAVE A HOLE IN THE BACKREST WHERE THE FIRE STARTED.

NHTSA complaint #10288850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 110,000 miles Plainfield, IL

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING, MY SON WAS USING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS SMOKING, WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN THE BACK OF MY SONS SWEATSHIRT.

NHTSA complaint #11394282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Plainfield, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, MY SON WAS USING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS SMOKING, WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN THE BACK OF MY SONS SWEATSHIRT.

NHTSA complaint #11394282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milford, OH

POWER TRAIN

THE BATTERY KEEP DRAINING WHICH MAKE THHE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE

NHTSA complaint #11228915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milford, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BATTERY KEEP DRAINING WHICH MAKE THHE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE

NHTSA complaint #11228915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Fresno, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A SMALL SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR LOCK BREAKS WHICH KEEPS THE DOOR FROM OPENING ONCE LOCKED. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPAIR HOW TO VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF A PERSON IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDS TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY, THIS BROKEN LOCK CAN KEEP THEM STUCK INSIDE THE CAR UNABLE TO ESCAPE.

NHTSA complaint #11220438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 205,000 miles Charlotte, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I WENT TO CHANGE MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION ALL FLAKING OFF TO ABOUT SIX INCHES FROM THE BULB CONNECTOR. I SEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND OTHERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME THING. I SUSPECT SINCE THESE WIRES ARE HIDDEN INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE COMMON.

NHTSA complaint #11181940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 171,000 miles Bowmansville, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY I HEARD THIS LOUD EXPLOSION. MY EARS WERE RINGING AND I FELT AS IF IT WAS RAINING BUT ONLY GLASS. LUCKILY IT DID NOT GET INTO MY EYES AND I STOPPED THE VEHICLE SAFELY AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT EVERYTHING IS INTACT AND I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER OBJECT; HOWEVER, MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, MERCEDES BENZ, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS RELATED TO SAFETY AND I REALLY THINK THAT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #11170162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Rocky Mount NC, NC

AIR BAGS

I HAVE GOT ANYTHIN G IN MAIL I LIKE TO KNOW IF IT'S ON THE RECALL LIST THE LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF SRS..

NHTSA complaint #11111447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,000 miles Milford, OH

STEERING

I OWN A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 FOR THREE YEARS AND ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SOFTWARE, THE ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOCKED, NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT, A CITY STREETS OR A HIGHWAY. MANY PHONE CALLS TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THE HEADQUARTER, THEY DIDN'T TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR!!! MERCEDES-BENZ WANTS PEOPLE EITHER FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE! DIE NATURALLY OR SELL THEIR CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10993929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,000 miles Milford, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 FOR THREE YEARS AND ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SOFTWARE, THE ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOCKED, NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT, A CITY STREETS OR A HIGHWAY. MANY PHONE CALLS TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THE HEADQUARTER, THEY DIDN'T TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR!!! MERCEDES-BENZ WANTS PEOPLE EITHER FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE! DIE NATURALLY OR SELL THEIR CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10993929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,000 miles Milford, OH

ENGINE

I OWN A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 FOR THREE YEARS AND ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SOFTWARE, THE ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOCKED, NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT, A CITY STREETS OR A HIGHWAY. MANY PHONE CALLS TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THE HEADQUARTER, THEY DIDN'T TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR!!! MERCEDES-BENZ WANTS PEOPLE EITHER FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE! DIE NATURALLY OR SELL THEIR CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10993929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bakersfield, CA

AIR BAGS

RECALL

NHTSA complaint #10872261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,467 miles Crystal River, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS. ALMOST EVERY AUTO MANUFACTURE IS MAKING THERE HEADLIGHTS OUT OF MATERIAL THAT CLOUDS UP AFTER A COUPLE OF YEAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT HAS CONTINUED FOR MORE YEARS THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. WHEN THE LIGHTS CLOUD UP THEY BECOME VERY DIM AND CAST SHADOW ON IMAGES THAT THEY SHOULD BE ILLUMINATING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN RURAL AREAS AND HIGHWAYS THAT ARE NOT LIGHTED. LIGHTS ARE AS IMPORTANT AS THE OTHER SAFETY ITEMS IN A VEHICLE. IS THE FIX REALLY TO HAVE SOMEONE BUFF AND POLISH THEM A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ALL MANUFACTURES

NHTSA complaint #10632938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,500 miles Reading, PA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING BURNING ODOR PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A QUARTER SIZE HOLE THAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE CONTACT'S LEFT PANT LEG. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,500.

NHTSA complaint #10481440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,500 miles Ockoee, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWENTY SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO INSTANCES OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND ALSO A MECHANIC SHOP AND NEITHER FACILITY WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.

NHTSA complaint #10394208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,253 miles Newtown Square, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,253. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/10/11

NHTSA complaint #10357768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Alexandria, VA Fire

SEATS

MY DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER CAUGHT FIRE YESTERDAY WHILE IN USE. IT STARTED WITH SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACKREST PORTION OF THE SEAT AFTER SWITCHING THE HEATER ON, AND THEN BEGAN TO FLAME. I TURNED OFF THE WARMER SWITCH AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. I NOW HAVE A HOLE IN THE BACKREST WHERE THE FIRE STARTED.

NHTSA complaint #10288850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,240 miles Murphy, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I OWN A 2005 E320 CDI MERCEDES DIESEL. THE CAR GIVES OFF BLACK SMOKE (INTERMITTENTLY) AND A BLACK TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE (BLACK SOOT) POURS OUT OF MY EXHAUST SYSTEM. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MERCEDES AND THEY STATE, "THE CAR IS OPERATING WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS." THE DEALERSHIP (SKYLAND AUTOMOTIVE, ASHEVILLE, NC) STATES THAT IT IS DUE TO POOR QUALITY DIESEL FUEL. I HAVE CONSIDERED LEGAL ACTION UNDER THE NC LEMON LAW, BUT WOULD RATHER HAVE THE PROBLEM SOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10158520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Bloomfield, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES WHERE I START DRIVING AND THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THEN WILL REGAIN POWER. IT IS WITHIN THE FIRST 5-10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. 4 OTHER FRIENDS HAVE INDICATED THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH LOSS OF POWER. MOST ARE THE SAME MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10141825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.