RoadVitals

2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Oct 17, 2013
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C Class, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine316.7%
  • Interior & seats316.7%
  • Visibility211.1%
  • Powertrain (other)211.1%
  • Tires & wheels211.1%
  • Airbags211.1%
  • Steering15.6%
  • Fuel system15.6%
  • Electrical15.6%
  • Transmission15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *JB

NHTSA ID 10437010 · filed Nov 21, 2011

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 10089776 · filed Aug 25, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES C230 COMPRESSOR. YESTERDAY, I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND AFTERWARDS LEFT IT PARKED. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. IT ENGULFED THE WHOLE VEHICLE IN SMOKE AND DAMAGED MOST OF THE INTERIOR. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR CAME ,AND STATED THAT IT WAS FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRES INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. *AK

NHTSA ID 10187454 · filed Apr 10, 2007

EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVA HAD PROBLEMS WITH IS FEATURES. POWER SEATS THAT MOVE BY THEMSELVES, AUTOMATIC DIMMING MIRRORS THAT TURN PITCH BLACK IN MIDDLE OF DAY, POWER TILT STEERING WHEEL THAT HAS UNPREDICITIBLE MOVES. AUTO WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DONT FUCNTION PROPERLY IN HEAVY DOWN POURS. THE SEATS ARE POWER AND THEY WILL MOVE ALL BY THEMSLEVES AND MOVE THE DRIVER EITHER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL OR PULL THE DRIVER BACK FROM THE WHEEL AND PEDALS. THE RAIN WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, DURNING HEAVY DOWNPOURS THEY JUST STOP WORKING MAKING DRIVING NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. THE AUTO DIMMING REAVIEW MIRROR TURNS ITCH BLACK FOR NO REASON IN MIDDLE OF DAY SO YOU CAN NOT USE MIRROR TO LOOK BEHIND YOU. I HAVE REPORTED ALL THESE PROBLEMS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NORMAL, THEY CHECKED THEM OUT AND SAID THAT IF THEY ARE INTERMITTENT THEY WILL NEVER FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THESE ARE MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS TO DRIVERS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10100612 · filed Nov 27, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY (APPROXIMATE SPEED 60 MPH) WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2004 MERCEDES C240. THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE SIGNS OF DAMAGE. HOWEVER, ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER AFTER I HAD MADE STOP AND LATER RETURNED TO THE CAR I NOTICED A 12 INCH CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE WINDSHIELDS IN MERCEDES. A CO-WORKER OF MINE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD IN HER 2004 C320 MERCEDES TWICE WITHIN THE PAST 18 MONTHS. THE SERVICE REPS HAVE TOLD HER THAT THIS HAPPENS ON THE TIME, ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUTERS WHO TRAVEL THE 91 FREEWAY HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I WOULD THINK THAT R&D WOULD HAVE DONE SUFFICIENT TESTING TO ENSURE THAT A WINDSHIELD COULD WITHSTAND CONTACT WITH A ROCK OR PEBBLE.

NHTSA ID 10129944 · filed Jul 25, 2005

EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVA HAD PROBLEMS WITH IS FEATURES. POWER SEATS THAT MOVE BY THEMSELVES, AUTOMATIC DIMMING MIRRORS THAT TURN PITCH BLACK IN MIDDLE OF DAY, POWER TILT STEERING WHEEL THAT HAS UNPREDICITIBLE MOVES. AUTO WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DONT FUCNTION PROPERLY IN HEAVY DOWN POURS. THE SEATS ARE POWER AND THEY WILL MOVE ALL BY THEMSLEVES AND MOVE THE DRIVER EITHER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL OR PULL THE DRIVER BACK FROM THE WHEEL AND PEDALS. THE RAIN WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, DURNING HEAVY DOWNPOURS THEY JUST STOP WORKING MAKING DRIVING NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. THE AUTO DIMMING REAVIEW MIRROR TURNS ITCH BLACK FOR NO REASON IN MIDDLE OF DAY SO YOU CAN NOT USE MIRROR TO LOOK BEHIND YOU. I HAVE REPORTED ALL THESE PROBLEMS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NORMAL, THEY CHECKED THEM OUT AND SAID THAT IF THEY ARE INTERMITTENT THEY WILL NEVER FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THESE ARE MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS TO DRIVERS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10100612 · filed Nov 27, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE BLACK MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORTS SEDAN 2004 MODEL. CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AT MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE IS NO MODIFICATION MADE TO THIS CAR AND ALL THE SERVICING DONE AT MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. IT HAD ONLY 58000 MILES. LAST B SERVICING WHICH CHECKED ANY SAFETY RELATED ISSUES AND INCLUDES REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WAS DONE AT AUTHORIZED DEALER ON 02/18/2012. NO ISSUE WAS INFORMED ON 02/18/2012 TO US BY MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICING DEPARTMENT. ON 06/21/2012, WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR FROM WORK TO HOME, I TURNED ON A/C, A/C SHUTDOWN AND I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE. ON LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR THERE IS A/C VENT AND I SAW FIRE INSIDE THE HOOD THROUGH THAT VENT.I PULLED OVER CAR RIGHT AWAY AND ELECTRICITY WENT OUT WITH IN 1 MIN OF MY PULLING OVER AND WITHIN 4 MIN, WHOLE CAR WAS BURNING. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED. THIS POSES FOLLOWING SECURITY CONCERNS: 1. MERCEDES C230 2004 IS MADE OF HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL AND DRIVER AND USERS OF CAR HAS VERY LESS CHANCE TO SURVIVE IF THERE IS FIRE. 2. MERCEDES C230 2004 MODEL A/C UNIT IS NOT OF HIGHEST QUALITY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY. BOTH OF ABOVE ISSUES POSES VERY SERIOUS SECURITY RISKS TO PUBLIC AND IT NEEDS THROUGH INVESTIGATION. I CONTACTED MERCEDES HEAD QUARTER FOR INVESTIGATION AND MERCEDES DECLINED TO INVESTIGATE. GEICO STATED IN REPORT THAT HOOD IS STUCK AND CAUSE OF FIRE IS UNKNOWN. GEICO INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED MERCEDES ENGINEERS TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER UPON MY REQUEST AND MERCEDES USA DOES NOT WANT TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. I HAVE PICTURES OF BURNT CAR AND CAN SHARE IF IT HELPS IN INVESTIGATION TO RULE OUT ABOVE 2 CONCERNS. WE DO NOT WANT OTHERS TO GO THROUGH SAME ORDEAL AS WE WENT THROUGH. *TR UPDATED 06/13/13*LJ UPDATED 06/17/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID 10464581 · filed Jul 8, 2012

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. *JB

NHTSA ID 10437010 · filed Nov 21, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OF THE TIRES MOUNTED ON THE CONSUMER'S 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320W RIPPED AND CRACKED THE RIM. *NM AFTER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE TIRE AND RIM, THEY DETERMINED DAMAGED TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO ROAD DAMAGE FROM IMPACT. *JB

NHTSA ID 10157288 · filed Apr 24, 2006

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAS A SPLIT ABOUT 1.5 INCHES LONG PROCEEDING DIAGONALLY THROUGH THE TREAD TO NEAR THE SIDEWALL. THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE NEAR THE SPLIT OR EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. I DRIVE LONG DISTANCES OFTEN AND WONDER IF THIS IS SOME TYPE OF DANGEROUS DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ID 10065713 · filed Apr 7, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE IS A C 320 AND WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, RECEIVING SIGNIFICANT FRONT END COLLISION BY OTHER VEHICLE AND THEREAFTER HITTING A CONCRETE STREET DIVIDER.DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HEAD,UPPER AND LOWER BODY AND LEGS.

NHTSA ID 10194822 · filed Jun 27, 2007

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE SIDE, AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID 10087132 · filed Aug 3, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVA HAD PROBLEMS WITH IS FEATURES. POWER SEATS THAT MOVE BY THEMSELVES, AUTOMATIC DIMMING MIRRORS THAT TURN PITCH BLACK IN MIDDLE OF DAY, POWER TILT STEERING WHEEL THAT HAS UNPREDICITIBLE MOVES. AUTO WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DONT FUCNTION PROPERLY IN HEAVY DOWN POURS. THE SEATS ARE POWER AND THEY WILL MOVE ALL BY THEMSLEVES AND MOVE THE DRIVER EITHER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL OR PULL THE DRIVER BACK FROM THE WHEEL AND PEDALS. THE RAIN WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, DURNING HEAVY DOWNPOURS THEY JUST STOP WORKING MAKING DRIVING NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. THE AUTO DIMMING REAVIEW MIRROR TURNS ITCH BLACK FOR NO REASON IN MIDDLE OF DAY SO YOU CAN NOT USE MIRROR TO LOOK BEHIND YOU. I HAVE REPORTED ALL THESE PROBLEMS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NORMAL, THEY CHECKED THEM OUT AND SAID THAT IF THEY ARE INTERMITTENT THEY WILL NEVER FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THESE ARE MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS TO DRIVERS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10100612 · filed Nov 27, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I SMELLED STRONG VAPORS OF GAS INSIDE MY CAR AND OUTSIDE THE AREA. I LOOKED UNDER CAR GAS WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER FUEL TANK . TOOK IT TO ( TOWED THAT IS) THE SHOP FIND FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE ! FOUND HOLE IN THE TANK ON THE TAB IF THAT MAKES SENSE . THE SHOP CALLED AROUND FOR SAFETY RECALL AND MERCEDES SEE IF ANY OTHER INFORMATION. I AM AWARE MERCEDES HAS HAD PROBLEM IN PAST WITH FUEL TANKS . THE SOP INFORMED ME IF I DROVE THIS CAR WITH HEAT FROM EXHAUST WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE ., I AM TRYING TO CONTACT MERCEDES CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS WITH NO LUCK . IS THERE ANYWAY I CAN REPORT FILE HAVE RECOURSE .THIS CAME TO 3000.00 OUT OF POCKET ! NOT MENTION IT COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES ! *TR

NHTSA ID 10548199 · filed Oct 17, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE BLACK MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORTS SEDAN 2004 MODEL. CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AT MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE IS NO MODIFICATION MADE TO THIS CAR AND ALL THE SERVICING DONE AT MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. IT HAD ONLY 58000 MILES. LAST B SERVICING WHICH CHECKED ANY SAFETY RELATED ISSUES AND INCLUDES REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WAS DONE AT AUTHORIZED DEALER ON 02/18/2012. NO ISSUE WAS INFORMED ON 02/18/2012 TO US BY MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICING DEPARTMENT. ON 06/21/2012, WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR FROM WORK TO HOME, I TURNED ON A/C, A/C SHUTDOWN AND I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE. ON LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR THERE IS A/C VENT AND I SAW FIRE INSIDE THE HOOD THROUGH THAT VENT.I PULLED OVER CAR RIGHT AWAY AND ELECTRICITY WENT OUT WITH IN 1 MIN OF MY PULLING OVER AND WITHIN 4 MIN, WHOLE CAR WAS BURNING. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED. THIS POSES FOLLOWING SECURITY CONCERNS: 1. MERCEDES C230 2004 IS MADE OF HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL AND DRIVER AND USERS OF CAR HAS VERY LESS CHANCE TO SURVIVE IF THERE IS FIRE. 2. MERCEDES C230 2004 MODEL A/C UNIT IS NOT OF HIGHEST QUALITY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY. BOTH OF ABOVE ISSUES POSES VERY SERIOUS SECURITY RISKS TO PUBLIC AND IT NEEDS THROUGH INVESTIGATION. I CONTACTED MERCEDES HEAD QUARTER FOR INVESTIGATION AND MERCEDES DECLINED TO INVESTIGATE. GEICO STATED IN REPORT THAT HOOD IS STUCK AND CAUSE OF FIRE IS UNKNOWN. GEICO INSURANCE COMPANY AUTHORIZED MERCEDES ENGINEERS TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER UPON MY REQUEST AND MERCEDES USA DOES NOT WANT TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. I HAVE PICTURES OF BURNT CAR AND CAN SHARE IF IT HELPS IN INVESTIGATION TO RULE OUT ABOVE 2 CONCERNS. WE DO NOT WANT OTHERS TO GO THROUGH SAME ORDEAL AS WE WENT THROUGH. *TR UPDATED 06/13/13*LJ UPDATED 06/17/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID 10464581 · filed Jul 8, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM EITHER AN OIL OR TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THIS WAS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. *AK

NHTSA ID 10146555 · filed Dec 30, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .