2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose and landed in the contact's lap. The steering wheel failed to lock securely in place. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11734789

Incident

Apr 29, 2026

Mileage

45,000 mi

Engine misfires while driving. OBD 2 codes P0016 and P0017 indicates bad balance shaft. Common defect in these cars. Very expensive repair needed.

NHTSA ID

11666455

Incident

Jun 12, 2025

We received a recall notice on our Mercedes stating that over time the bonding in the glass panel and sunroof frame might deteriorate over time and cause the glass to separate from the vehicle. On 02/06/25, my son brought his car into the Mercedes dealership in Lafayette, Indiana to take care of the recall. The service tech signed off on the recall and told him everything was ok. On [XXX], he was driving down the highway and the entire glass part of the sunroof flew off behind him! Luckily there wasn’t a driver behind him. He was very startled and could’ve swerved off the road causing injury to himself or others. If someone was behind him they could’ve been injured or even killed. We called the dealership immediately. The service manager told my husband that they checked the glass on the roof and our car was not part of the recall and there was nothing they could do! Since that day, (one month) we have been trying to get SOMEONE to help us. We have contacted the GM at the dealership, talked to 3 people at Mercedes corporate only to be hung up on once and put on hold for 45 minutes the other time. To this day we are unable to get anyone to address the issue. The NHTSA clearly stated our vehicle is part of this recall yet the dealership is stating the glass number wasn’t listed. Obviously our vehicle is part of the recall considering what happened! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11646660

Incident

Feb 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 35 MPH with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started to stall while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic linked the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: LI03.30-P-050027. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under the service bulletin. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11629747

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started leaking oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.

NHTSA ID

11601571

Incident

Aug 18, 2023

Mileage

172,000 mi

The car randomly misfires and goes into limp mode with a flashing check engine light. This has occurred on roadways and the vehicle loses all engine power. My engine code, 272920 30 183997272.920, falls into a known range of balance shaft gear problems with this motor. There was previously a settlement by the manufacturer to repair the motor but I was unaware of this settlement before purchasing this vehicle as there was no official recall. I am being told the repair requires pulling the motor out which is quite a high cost. The problem has been confirmed by an independent mechanic inspecting the camshaft timing. There were no other indicators of this failure before the check engine light came on and flashed.

NHTSA ID

11590772

Incident

May 24, 2024

Engine pulley noises

NHTSA ID

11521923

Incident

Jul 3, 2009

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission failed to shift, and the transmission appeared to be frozen in the 2nd gear. The contact stopped and turned off the vehicle and shifted into park (P); when the vehicle was restarted and shifted into drive (D), the vehicle was lunging and jerking. The contact stated that it was difficult to shift from drive (D) to park (P) or reverse (R), because the vehicle would lunge in the direction the transmission was shifted. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the transmission control module sensor. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,629.

NHTSA ID

11520135

Incident

Dec 30, 2022

Mileage

131,629 mi

To whom this may,I been having problems with check engine light keep coming on,I'm paying alot of money on this car,it could be that recall hose on back order causing that check engine light to come on,please HELP!!!!!!

NHTSA ID

11501709

Incident

Jan 13, 2023

My Engine light came on and I took it to Star Motors. They reported two codes, 1200 and 1208. This means a bad Balance Shaft. This balances the engine and controls the timing belt. I had three choices they said, Repair it for $5,900.00 ....Yes that's right. Sell the car or drive it till it dies. I asked what that meant. They said the car will just stop, freeze and size up, it could happen at anytime. So I'm driving a time bomb basically..

NHTSA ID

11490895

Incident

Oct 18, 2022

The timing chain failed without warning causing the vehicle to cut off while driving 75 mph on the highway. The service engine soon late was not on at all so there was no warning that something was wrong with the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11474709

Incident

Jul 18, 2022

The intake manifold has a plastic tumble flap mechanism. This commonly breaks in most of these Mercedes Benz vehicles. The main problem is the high cost of repair due to it's location in the engine under a complex wiring harness. Mercedes has never issued a recall, but this problem can lead to catastrophic engine failure. This problem is very well documented on many websites.

NHTSA ID

11470020

Incident

Jun 20, 2022

Steering column is locked. The car will not start.

NHTSA ID

11463636

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

This automobile is unsafe because of the dangerous sunroof being detached.

NHTSA ID

11422529

Incident

Jun 27, 2021

MY CAR HAS A COMPUTER SYSTEM PROBLEM. IT HAS TO BE RESET TO WHERE IT WONT ERASE WHAT IS ALREADY ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. I CAN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE ITS STALLING OR IT SHAKES TO MUCH WHEN U ARE STOPED AT A RED LIGHT IT GIRKS ALOT AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT CUZ IT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF POWER TO GET SPEED WHEN USING IT ON THE HIGHWAY I HAVE HAD A SECOND OPINION ON WHAT IS WRONG WITH AND ITS THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SO PLEASE HELP I NEED ASSISTANCE MY HUSBAND AND I ARE DISABLED ALSO THE SPEEDOMETERS IS NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ID

11396734

Incident

Jan 5, 2021

Mileage

5 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE REMOTE KEYFOB WHICH FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLETCHER JONES MOTORCARS OF FREMONT (5760 CUSHING PARKWAY, FREMONT, CA 94538, (510) 623-1111) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL RECEPTION BETWEEN THE ANTENNAE LOCATED IN THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE AND THE KEYFOB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYFOB WORKED WHEN PLACED CLOSE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ID

11362258

Incident

Sep 29, 2020

Mileage

146,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11326176

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V919000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11323499

Incident

Feb 17, 2020

SOMETIMES, ENGINES YELLOW LIGHT IS ON, AND CAR HAD A LITTLE SHAKING, AND LAKES ARE SOFT WHEN BRAKING,. AND THE CAR WINDOW ASIDE OF FRONT GUEST STOPS MOVING UP AND DOWN.

NHTSA ID

11297688

Incident

Dec 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND 'CAM SHAFT BALANCE CALIBRATION, SENSOR ONE AND SENSOR B' APPEARED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARAGE ISLA VERDE (AVENIDA BALDORIOTY DE CASTRO, KL 10.3, CAROLINA, PR 00979) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BALANCE CAMSHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT OWNED TWO OTHER MERCEDES BENZ C230S, WHICH ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. *TR*JB

NHTSA ID

11258513

Incident

Sep 14, 2019

Mileage

131,000 mi

HELLO THERE, THIS IS MY VEHICLE INFORMATION 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230 SPORT VIN : (XXXXX) AND THIS IS THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER : 16V081 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER : 2018030001 I HAVE STARTED A RESEARCH AFTER I HAVE EXPERIENCED TOO MANY ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING & HEADLAMPS, TAILGATE LIGHTS, STOP LIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS AND THE MALFUNCTION ON THE HORN WHICH HAS STOPPED WORKING SINCE 2/2/2019. I HAVE ALSO BEING PULLED OVER BY POLICE OFFICERS STATING THAT THE MALFUNCTION ON MY TAIL GATE LIGHTS AND STOP / BRAKE LIGHTS AND ALSO HEADLAMPS MUST BE REPAIRED ASAP, I DID BOUGHT NEW BULBS AND REPLACED THE OLD BULBS ON BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS AND BRAKE/ STOP & PARKING LIGHTS BUT THEY ONLY WORK WELL FOR A FEW DAYS BUT THEN THEY JUST STOP WORKING OR WORK INTERMITTENTLY .... I HAVE RECEIVED A TRAFFIC VIOLATION TICKET ON 12/28/2018 AFTER SEVERAL PULLED OVER FROM THE SAME POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS AS THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I INDEED HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AFOREMENTIONED ( I HAVE ATTACHED THE RECEIPT FOR THAT VIOLATION ). THE ISSUE THAT WORRIES ME THE MOST IS THE HONK FAILURE AND THE DRIVER PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL, THOSE ARE A VERY SENSITIVE SAFETY MATTER AND I PLEASE WANT TO GET HELP TO GET THIS FIX. I HAVE ALREADY CONTACT 2 MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIPS HERE IN CALIFORNIA ( DOWNTOWN LA MOTORS & RUSNAK MERCEDES BENZ OF ARCADIA, CA ).... AT THIS TIME I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY REPLY TO MY CALLS AND EMAILS, AND I AM REALLY WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AND DRIVE TO COMMUTE TO WORK AND TO PLEASURE ON WEEKENDS WHEN I TAKE WITH ME MY 10 YEARS OLD SON, AND THAT IS THE PART THAT WORRIES ME THE MOST, I DO NOT WANT TO RISK MY SON IN AN EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH WITH THE AIRBAGS FAILURE, THAT CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO EXPLODE WITH SHATTER DEBRIS THAT CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE MY SON AND MYSELF AND EVEN CAUSE DEATH... PLEASE HELP ME TO GET THIS REPAIRS DONE. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

NHTSA ID

11185587

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

55 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230WZ. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11180063

Incident

Feb 1, 2012

Mileage

110,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL" 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230 I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY CAR STARTED MISFIRING REALLY BAD, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLICKERING AND STAYED ON AND THE LIGHTS IN THE CAR ON THE DASH AND ON THE RADIO STARTED TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THEN THE CAR JUST WAS LIMP IT WOULDN'T EVEN PICK UP SPEED IT WAS SLOWING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WITH VERY BUSY TRAFFIC .I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE AND MY FRIEND THAT WE WERE GOING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC . I TRIED TO HURRY HOME BUT IT WAS WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED IT KEEP GOING SLOWER AND SLOWER AND WHEN WE HAD TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC IT ACTUALLY TURNED COMPLETELY OFF TWICE AND I WAS SO SCARED THAT AN ACCEIDENT WOULD HAPPEN IT WAS MISFIRING AND JUST A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE THIS SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RECALL OR SOMETHING THEY NEED TO LOOK INTO IT ABC FIX IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE .

NHTSA ID

11164310

Incident

Dec 22, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF RENO, 11500 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 877-496-3691 AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11063586

Incident

Feb 11, 2016

I WAS TOLD TO FILE HERE IF THERE WAS NO REMEDY ON THE SAFETY RECALL AND THERE WASN'T. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN FEBRUARY 2016 FOR MY TAKATA AIRBAG AND TO THIS DATE, THERE IS NO AVAILABLE REMEDY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. I JUST CHECKED ONLINE AND STATUS IS SAME NO REMEDY -INCOMPLETE.

NHTSA ID

11057766

Incident

Feb 11, 2016