10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,845 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #6

May 162023

C230

  • miles
Vehicle began smoking on highway. No check engine or indicator of any fault codes. No previous coolant or oil leaks, or fuel leaks appeared to be visible or of issue. Vehicle had to be pulled over on side of highway as smoke began to became increasing with darker color from the engine bay, then making its way into the inner cabin Of the vehicle. Within a minute the full engine and front end of vehicle was engulfed in flames. Occupant was barley able to get out due to the vehicles dark smoke which caused disorientation for the driver. A good samaritan removed driver from vehicle and approximately 2 minutes later the entire car and cabin was engulfed in flames. Car was deemed a total loss with front end, cabin, and areas near the back seat/ window were burned to complete bare metal. Emergency personnel numerous times mentioned how lucky occupant was since these types of vehicle fires are typically fatal followed by the speed of fire it had spread throughout the process when engulfed.

- Alpine, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 222022

C230

  • miles
I was driving my car to work and the next thing you know it slowed down only going 40mph. Then the engine light came on and now it want go in reverse. The electrical has went out for moving the headrest up and down, moving the seat forward N backwards. The battery keep draining, this is the 3rd new battery I had to buy. It's still beging drain. The sunroof will not open all electrical has went out in that area. It has never been able to open. The windshield wiper motor has went out. I took the car to the dealership they sais it wasn't nothing they can do since there wasn't no recall for this model

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #4

Oct 032019

C230 4-cyl

  • 72 miles
Hi my name is [xxx] I own the vehicle describe and provided the VIN nr I went to the Mercedes Benz of portland or situated in 1605 S.w naito pkwy portlland Oregon on the date of 3 October 2019 because this car have a S.R.S recall they make me waiting from 10;16 to 15;41 but they du not want to solve all the recall for free motivated the company they do not allow to change every sensor for free because on the cost too big !!! the car have several issue since that and I am on disability I can change those issue by myself please take note and helping me >thank you very mach [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Seaside, OR, USA

problem #3

Feb 202019

C230

  • 110,000 miles
I have been notified about the safety air bag recall however, I have just found oil in my wiring harness. My car is idling very rough and stalling, the check engine light is on, I received 8 codes. I have oil in my camshaft wiring harness, my piston 1 fuel inject, spark plugs, and front of the engine where camshaft adjuster magnets are covered in black sludge oil. Another Mercedes owner told me the same thing happened to his car and was "pigtailed" there has been a recall on this issue for this type of car 2005 C230 kompressor sport the recall number is #200910001. I would like for the Mercedes Benz dealership to resolve this issue, I need a government letter to be approved. May you please assist me with this request?

- Port Jefferson, NY, USA

problem #2

Sep 032018

C230

  • 135,000 miles
As I was driving the car engine started vibrating and the engine light came on and the car engine stopped suddenly. The car was towed to my mechanic who diagnosed the timing chain cam sprocket teeth were worn out causing the timing chain to jump and destroy the engine. Research showed this is common factory defect with these engines since Mercedes used soft metal for the sprockets causing premature wear. I contacted Mercedes and they told me there is no open recall or class action suit for this year/model and recommended the car be towed to a Mercedes dealership for evaluation. My local Mercedes dealer informed me they require $200 fee to inspect the car and the replacement engine will cost me $10,000-15,000. The care is 13 years old and has 135,000 and out of warranty. How is it that Mercedes can advertise their slogan "the best or nothing" when they manufacture engines that are destroyed at such relative low mileage? I was lucky not to have a collision with another vehicle on the road and was lucky to be able to stop the car when the engine failed without injuring myself or others.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 152012

C230

  • 120,000 miles
1.8L 4 cylinder supercharged. Teeth on cam gears broken off and worn down to the point of the vehicle jumping timing. And damaging valves and other major components. Cost of parts quotes from the local Mercedes dealer, $900 per gear, timing chain $330 not including any labor, if any other components were damaged more parts are required. Reason for this happening is due to Mercedes using a thin bicycle like chain for timing. Stretches beyond safe limits in 50K of miles. Loose chain eventually breaks and/or damages cam gear teeth and other components. Many incidents of this can be found at mbworld.org and benzworld.org.

- Carmichael, CA, USA