26 of the
303 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz C320
are about the engine —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
Vehicle constantly smells like gas inside the cabin, it makes me dizzy and affects my head overall health inhaling vapors. At first I thought I could handle it, but it just gives me nonstop headaches and I'm afraid one spark will ignite/ explode my entire vehicle. This happens everytime I fill the gas tank. I heard their was a warranty extension but don't believe me vehicle was included which is unfortunate. Their is a check engine light informing of a EVAP Leak.
NHTSA complaint #11428224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL" LEVEL WARNING SIGN WAS ON. APPARENTLY, THERE IS LEAKING OF COOLANT SOME WHERE. IT WAS AT THE WATER PUMP, WHICH WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 20, 2019. IT HAPPENS AGAIN NOW, ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER.
NHTSA complaint #11317690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THE "MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY" (MFD) SCREEN IN THE DASH FADES WITH INTERIOR HEAT (IN SUMMER) AND EVENTUALLY FAILS OVER TIME. THE MFD DISPLAYS ALL CRITICAL VEHICLE OPERATION INFORMATION (SUCH AS COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNINGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION, ETC.), AND ALL NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE FAULT CODES THAT OCCUR. WITHOUT THE INFORMATION VISIBLE, THE OWNER CAN'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO MECHANICAL GAUGES SERVING AS BACK-UP. FURTHER, THE VEHICLE ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE IN THE MFD. WITHOUT AN OPERATING MFD, THE OWNER CANNOT VIEW, OR CERTIFY THE CORRECT ODOMETER MILEAGE, REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW WHEN SELLING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR SUBSEQUENT OWNER. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN FAULT ACROSS SEVERAL MERCEDES MODELS. DEALERS OFFER TO REPLACE THE MFD, AT CONSIDERABLE OWNER EXPENSE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE ODOMETER ISSUE, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES SHOULD FIX THE DISPLAY AT ZERO COST TO THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10617540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #10513731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2003 C 320 MBNZ, THE RADIATOR LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED A LACK OF POWER AND THEREFORE A LOSS OF ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, LEAVING YOU VULNERABLE DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS ONLY 50026 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10508867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON THE FIRST OCCASION (DECEMBER 16, 2010), MY MERCEDES C320 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING 57 MPH ON THE FREEWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. THERE WERE SEVERAL CARS AND TRACTOR TRAILERS BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING. THE INCIDENT WAS TERRIFYING, AS NO WARNING LIGHTS (NOTHING) CAME ON IN THE CAR. LUCKILY, OTHER DRIVERS SAW ME IN DISTRESS AND I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SIDE STRIP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PHOENIX MOTORS (MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP) WHEREAS THEY INDICATED AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HAD GONE BAD. HOWEVER, I LATER LEARNED THIS DIAGNOSIS WAS INCORRECT, BECAUSE SEVEN MONTHS LATER THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING. ANOTHER INCIDENT TOOK PLACE WHERE I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR MOBILITY WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WENT DEAD. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING TO THE DRIVER CAN CAUSE A DEADLY CRASH. PRESENTLY (DECEMBER 21, 2011), MY CAR IS IN THE HANDS OF PHOENIX MOTORS AGAIN, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE YET TO DETERMINE WHY THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IS SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER, BECAUSE THIS TYPE OF DEFECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DESTROY INNOCENT LIVES WHILE DRIVING. AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT SHUTTING DOWN AN ENGINE WHILE DRIVING IS SERIOUS AND DEADLY. PLEASE, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. I WAS LUCKY IN BOTH INCIDENTS, BECAUSE AN ANGEL WAS WATCHING OVER ME. I COULD HAVE EASY BEEN INJURED OR KILLED, NOT TO MENTION OTHERS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IN BOTH INCIDENTS A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED TO TOW THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10441923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT FULL THROTTLE AT STOP LIGHT,TESTED AND HAD A FAULTY ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEALER AND MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED ANY WARRANTY REPAIR AND WERE NOT INTERESTED IN SEEING THE FAULTY PART. I HAVE KEPT THE FAULTY PART PENDING FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I AM UPSET THAT TOYOTA MUST FIX A DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT MERCEDES GETS AWAY WITH IT,AS I KNOW A FRIEND WITH A 2000 S430 THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME FAULT.
NHTSA complaint #10439354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
MALFUNCTIONING SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAIN BATTERY IN 2001 C320 MERCEDES BENZ. NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN JANUARY 2008 WITH 51,000+ MILES, I PAID $175 DOLLARS FOR A NEW MBZ BATTERY, BEFORE ASKING DEALERSHIP TO DISCONNECT SEAT CONTROL MODULES. I WAS NOT PREPARED TO PAY $1200 TO REPLACE MODULES. JUNE 25, 2010, MY 2001 C320 STOPPED DURING A TRIP TO PHOENIX, AZ FROM CALIFORNIA, DUE TO FUEL PUMP GOING OUT. MY 79 YEAR-OLD MOTHER AND I WAITED IN 100+ DEGREE WEATHER FOR A TOW, WHICH TOOK 3 HOURS TO GET TO PHOENIX MBZ DEALERSHIP. OAKLAND SERVICE REP NEVER SUGGESTED REPLACING, ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS SERVICED DURING THE SUGGESTED MILEAGE FOR REPLACEMENT. THE PHOENIX DEALERSHIP INITIALLY REPLACED ORIGINAL FUEL FILTER, AND NEVER THOUGHT TO CHECK IF ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. ON JUNE 28, 2010, MY CAR STOPPED AGAIN ON THE RETURN TRIP TO CA, AND WE WERE TOWED BACK TO AZ, WHERE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE INCIDENT COST ME ALMOST $2,000.00 MORE THAN I PLANNED TO SPEND, WHILE ATTENDING MY GRADUATION CEREMONIES IN ARIZONA. CONSIDERING THE EXPENSE TO MAINTAIN A MERCEDES, AS WELL AS THE COST OF THE CAR, YOU WOULD THINK THE SERVICE STAFF WOULD BE MORE PROACTIVE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE. I SUGGEST MERCEDES CREATE A BETTER WARNING SYSTEM FOR EQUIPMENT FAILURES LIKE THE SEAT CONTROL MODULES AND FUEL PUMP. I ALSO SUGGEST MERCEDES CONSIDER LOWERING THEIR SERVICE PRICES, SO THE AVERAGE "JOANNA" CAN PAY THE MAINTENANCE TO KEEP A DEPENDABLE CAR. THE VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING OIL AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS LEAKING. UPDATED IVOQ 09/10/10
NHTSA complaint #10352334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES C320. WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED, LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. HE WAS ABLE TO DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE USING A LOT OF FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A MERCEDES DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE COMPUTER SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE FAULTY SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,151 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,488. UPDATED 3/30/10 *CN THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 06/25/10.
NHTSA complaint #10313066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON A 2003 C 320 MBNZ, THE RADIATOR NOW LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE THE RADIATOR TO BE REPLACED AND FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE FLUSHED. THIS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID COULD HAVE ALREADY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, AND IF SO, IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES A LACK OF POWER AND THEREFORE A LOSS OF ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY WARNING, OFTEN LEAVING YOU VULNERABLE DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER, A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10285432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR THE BLOWER AND I HAVE TO PAY WHATEVER PARTS THAT NEEDS REPLACING. NOW THE CAR IS ALMOST 60,000 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME LAST WEEK. I NOTICE THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND IT FAILS TO TURNOVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT DIDN'T START THE FIRST TIME, THE CEL CAME ON. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT LOOKS TIGHT TO ME. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD MAKE A VERY LOUD AND UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. I THOUGHT I MADE A RIGHT DECISION OF BUYING A MERCEDES BENZ DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION. WITH THE ECONOMY NOWADAYS AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE MB SERVICE ARE CHARGING I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10275711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES EXCEEDED 100 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RAPIDLY DRAINS THE BATTERY. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES WITHOUT RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,079 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 2/5/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR MASS SENSOR WAS REPALCED. UPDATED 02/10/09.
NHTSA complaint #10253394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS HAPPENED IN MY 2003 C320 AT 54,000 MILES. I INITIALLY NOTICED A LIGHT RUBBING OR GRINDING WHILE ACCELERATING, WITH LIGHT VIBRATION. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, NEW RADIATOR, AND A FLUID FLUSH. THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER THOSE REPAIRS, MY C320 WAS STILL SHIFTING HARD AND THE GRINDING NOISE WAS STILL THERE. IT TURNS OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AS WELL. TWO REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS WERE NEEDED UNTIL IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MIXED FLUIDS ARE NOT UNCOMMON IN THIS MODEL AND YET MBUSA HAS MADE VERY LITTLE EFFORT TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10197622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 C320 MERCEDES BENZ WAGON CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING IN CENTER LANE ON BUSY STREET -- AND WOULD NOT RESTART LEAVING CAR AND OCCUPANT VULNERABLE TO CRASH-- DUE TO FAILURE OF CRANK POSITION SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10176068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.