2004 Mercedes-Benz C240 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C240, 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
- Visibility313.6%
- Electrical313.6%
- Interior & seats313.6%
- Engine29.1%
- Fuel system29.1%
- Airbags29.1%
- Powertrain (other)29.1%
- Seat belts29.1%
- Brakes29.1%
- Suspension14.5%
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
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BONITA SPRINGS (14610 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PARTS 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. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN USING THE SEAT HEATER. FIRE PROTRUDED THROUGH THE SIDE SEAT PANEL AND BURNED DRIVER AND CLOTHING. THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES ON A CITY STREET AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. PORTIONS OF THE SEAT MELTED.
AFTER DRIVING 1 MILE FROM HOME, THE AIR CONDITIONED SYSTEM SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE DRIVER'S VENT INTO THE CABIN. I LEFT THE CAR UNINJURED AND CALLED 911. FIREMEN CAME 10 MINUTES LATER AND I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE LEFT VENT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD MELTED COMPLETELY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, AND MY INSURER DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. I'M GLAD THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY, THOUGH THE INCIDENT WAS REALLY SCARY. I HAD RECENTLY TAKEN MY CAR (3 MONTHS AGO) TO THE MERCEDES DEALER FOR A SERVICE THAT COST ME MORE THAN $6,000, AND THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO RUN LIKE NEW. THE AC HAD NEVER FAILED BEFORE THIS. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN USING THE SEAT HEATER. FIRE PROTRUDED THROUGH THE SIDE SEAT PANEL AND BURNED DRIVER AND CLOTHING. THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES ON A CITY STREET AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. PORTIONS OF THE SEAT MELTED.
I OWN A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ, C CLASS, 4-DOOR SEDAN AND WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS REFUSE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN, AFTER USING MY REMOTE TO SECURE MY DOORS AND NOW UNLOCK CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. I'M CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MY GRANDCHILD WHILE DRIVING AND THE SECURITY OF MY VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
RE: C 240 MERCEDES 2004. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON LONG DRIVES ON THE INTERSTATE, SHORT DRIVES ON THE INTERSTATE, AND STREET DRIVING. THE MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANY CODES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DEFECT. WE HAD THE CRANK SENSOR CHANGED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT A WORN CRANK SENSOR MIGHT BE THE CAUSE. IT WAS NOT. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR 'S ENGINE SHUT DOWN AGAIN. *TR
2004 MERCEDES C240 WITH SUNROOF AND OVERHEAD CONTROL PANEL. CUSTOMER STATES THAT AFTER THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACQUIRED OTHER PROBLEMS ALONG WITH A LOOSE SEAT THAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. *KB THE SUNROOF WOULDN'T CLOSE ON AUTO MODE, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERABLE, THE ALARM DIDN'T SOUND, THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE OIL PAN, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED, THE THRUST ARM BUSHINGS FAILED, THE RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS COMING APART, THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW MADE A LOUD SQUEAK, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DRIVERS SEAT DIDN'T TILT UP OR DOWN. THE PANIC FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE DIDN'T WORK, BOTH REMOTE KEYS DIDN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK FROM PARKVILLE TO BALTIMORE CITY AND MY CAR BEGAN AGGRESSIVELY JERKING. I DROVE MY CAR ON FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND THE JERKING WAS NOT AS AGGRESSIVE. I DROVE HOME ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON FROM WORK AND I COULD TELL THAT SOMETHING WAS STILL JERKING BUT CONTINUOUSLY. SATURDAY MORNING MY CAR WAS JERKING SO AGGRESSIVELY, I CALLED OWINGS MILLS MERCEDES AND LEFT IT THERE. I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY, MAY 27, 2015, THAT MY CAR NEEDED BETWEEN $1900 AND $7500 WORTH OF WORK. MY COOLANT IS LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION. IF MY RADIATOR CAN NOT BE FIXED, I WILL NEED A NEW RADIATOR AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DOING RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE C CLASS MERCEDES. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.
BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN JUNE 2014, AFTER EVERY TIME I FILLED THE GAS TANK, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR, AUGUST 2, 2014 CAR JUST CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, LOST ALL POWER LIKE IT WAS GETTING NO GAS AND JUST CUT OFF. AUGUST 5, FILLED GAS TANK TO TAKE TO SHOP AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND GAS LEAKED FROM UNDERSIDE OF DRIVERS SIDE REAR AREA AND AGAIN STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR, DID SOME INVESTIGATION TO FIND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER MERCEDES CARS. APPARENTLY THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THE E SERIES FROM THE YEAR 2004 FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS A DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AND MERCEDES SHOULD BE CALLED OUT TO FIX IT. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SRS ABS ESP lights occasionally go on and off mostly the SRS take to shop does not come on or stay on obd2 does not detect may use clear error messages stays off for few weeks then back on and off bought scanner when SRS comes on sometimes it shows error B1035 stored and current the resistance value in the ignition circuit containing component R1 2/20 (left front side airbag ignition squib) is too high sometimes nothing hear this same complaint from many owners. drivers side seat motor only works off and on had replaced sometimes works sometimes does not lots of sensor issues shows a door ajar when it is not have to replace senors
THE SRS AND NUMEROUS OTHER MALFUNCTIONS COME ON. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE BLINKERS ARE TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. AT FIRST TURNING THE CAR OFF THE MALFUNCTIONS WENT AWAY ONLY TO COME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE AIR BAGS, SEAT-BELTS WONT WORK IN A ACCIDENT. ALONG WITH IF LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE AFTER PAYING THOUSAND TO HAVE IT FIXED IT REAPPEARS AFTER A YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY WIRE AND SENSOR. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK FROM PARKVILLE TO BALTIMORE CITY AND MY CAR BEGAN AGGRESSIVELY JERKING. I DROVE MY CAR ON FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND THE JERKING WAS NOT AS AGGRESSIVE. I DROVE HOME ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON FROM WORK AND I COULD TELL THAT SOMETHING WAS STILL JERKING BUT CONTINUOUSLY. SATURDAY MORNING MY CAR WAS JERKING SO AGGRESSIVELY, I CALLED OWINGS MILLS MERCEDES AND LEFT IT THERE. I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY, MAY 27, 2015, THAT MY CAR NEEDED BETWEEN $1900 AND $7500 WORTH OF WORK. MY COOLANT IS LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION. IF MY RADIATOR CAN NOT BE FIXED, I WILL NEED A NEW RADIATOR AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DOING RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE C CLASS MERCEDES. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.
2004 MERCEDES C240 WITH SUNROOF AND OVERHEAD CONTROL PANEL. CUSTOMER STATES THAT AFTER THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACQUIRED OTHER PROBLEMS ALONG WITH A LOOSE SEAT THAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. *KB THE SUNROOF WOULDN'T CLOSE ON AUTO MODE, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERABLE, THE ALARM DIDN'T SOUND, THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE OIL PAN, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED, THE THRUST ARM BUSHINGS FAILED, THE RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS COMING APART, THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW MADE A LOUD SQUEAK, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DRIVERS SEAT DIDN'T TILT UP OR DOWN. THE PANIC FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE DIDN'T WORK, BOTH REMOTE KEYS DIDN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE NITROGEN POWER SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE SRS AND NUMEROUS OTHER MALFUNCTIONS COME ON. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE BLINKERS ARE TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. AT FIRST TURNING THE CAR OFF THE MALFUNCTIONS WENT AWAY ONLY TO COME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE AIR BAGS, SEAT-BELTS WONT WORK IN A ACCIDENT. ALONG WITH IF LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE AFTER PAYING THOUSAND TO HAVE IT FIXED IT REAPPEARS AFTER A YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY WIRE AND SENSOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SINK INTO THE FLOOR CREATING AN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
2004 MERCEDES C240 WITH SUNROOF AND OVERHEAD CONTROL PANEL. CUSTOMER STATES THAT AFTER THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACQUIRED OTHER PROBLEMS ALONG WITH A LOOSE SEAT THAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. *KB THE SUNROOF WOULDN'T CLOSE ON AUTO MODE, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERABLE, THE ALARM DIDN'T SOUND, THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE OIL PAN, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED, THE THRUST ARM BUSHINGS FAILED, THE RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS COMING APART, THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW MADE A LOUD SQUEAK, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DRIVERS SEAT DIDN'T TILT UP OR DOWN. THE PANIC FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE DIDN'T WORK, BOTH REMOTE KEYS DIDN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 MERCEDES C240 WITH SUNROOF AND OVERHEAD CONTROL PANEL. CUSTOMER STATES THAT AFTER THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACQUIRED OTHER PROBLEMS ALONG WITH A LOOSE SEAT THAT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. *KB THE SUNROOF WOULDN'T CLOSE ON AUTO MODE, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERABLE, THE ALARM DIDN'T SOUND, THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE OIL PAN, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED, THE THRUST ARM BUSHINGS FAILED, THE RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS COMING APART, THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW MADE A LOUD SQUEAK, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DRIVERS SEAT DIDN'T TILT UP OR DOWN. THE PANIC FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE DIDN'T WORK, BOTH REMOTE KEYS DIDN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .