2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 Owner Complaints

Just recently while driving with my front windows opened on my Mercedes 2005 C 320, I heard a Big thump on the passenger side of vehicle. At first, I thought it was a bird that flew in to Car. So, stopped and parked by the side of road to discover that the Passenger Head Rest on passenger side just broke off for NO REASON! I complained to local Mercedes Dealership in Palm Springs, CA. and they told me there was No RECALL and nothing they could do. This is upsetting because it cannot get fixed and I would have to phone Mercedes back East for old parts that match. Please help me.

NHTSA ID

11690101

Incident

Jul 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240. The contact stated that rainwater had entered the vehicle through the sunroof and damaged the computer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility) after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who declined the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11434051

Incident

Sep 23, 2021

"TAKATA RECALL" THE CAR HAS A GAS SMELL ESPECIALLY WHEN WE TURN THE HEATERS ON/ IT IS VERY STRONG FUMES & THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BE ROLLED DOWN WHEN DRIVING/ HAS A GAS LEAK

NHTSA ID

11144929

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT WAS CALLING ON BEHALF OF HER SPOUSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT AN ENTRANCE TO A FUEL STATION, A MOTORCYCLIST DRIVING 40 MPH T-BONED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH DAMAGED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND PART OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG AND FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY AND AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE EMITTED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GAG AND HAVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUFFERED FROM FLUID TO THE LUNGS AND CUTS ON HIS ARMS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER ALSO RETAINED FLUID TO THE LUNGS AND HAD TO HAVE A PLEUREX CATHETER CERVICAL IMPLANT IN ORDER TO DRAIN THE FLUID ON A DAILY BASIS. THE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE ALSO SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THEY DECLINED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO BROOKS MOTOR CARS (9829 BIGGE ST, OAKLAND, CA 94603); HOWEVER, THE DEALER DECLINED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND ESTIMATES WERE COMPLETED, BUT THE REPAIRS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TK HOLDINGS REGARDING THE TAKATA AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TT *DT *DT CONSUMER'S FIRST CONCERN IS "WHY DID THE AIRBAG DEPLOY AT THE STEERING WHEEL FROM A "RIGHT-HAND" IMPACT OF THE (T-BONE) COLLISION? UPDATED 10/10/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID

11128150

Incident

Aug 22, 2017

Mileage

27,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN MOVED UP AND DOWN AS WELL AS VIBRATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (CAR CITY IN LOUISA, KY) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. *TT

NHTSA ID

11097072

Incident

May 1, 2018

Mileage

149,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF CHARLESTON (5 DUDLEY FARMS LANE, CHARLESTON, WV) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,503.

NHTSA ID

11065878

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

144,503 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BY A MOTORCYCLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER, STEERING WHEEL, AND REAR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS RIGHT ARM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND RECOVERED FROM A SALVAGE YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID

11048043

Incident

Aug 22, 2017

Mileage

22,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE AIR BAG ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11020112

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

A MODERATE GAS SMELL COMES FROM DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. HESITATION UPON START UP. THE RESULT IS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP THAT CAUSES A LEAK THROUGH CRACK LINES IN THE FUEL PUMP. THE SMELL OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY AND ON THE STREET WHICH THE FUEL SMELL IS ALSO APPARENT INSIDE THE CABIN.

NHTSA ID

11003321

Incident

Jun 30, 2017

Mileage

180,000 mi

WHEN USING MY CAR SEAT HEAT IT BURNED A BIG HOLE IN MY SEAT AND MELTED MY JACKET. I'M AFRAID I CAN'T USE MY CAR SEAT HEAT ANY SO NO FIRE WILL HAPPEN

NHTSA ID

10949193

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

RESTRAINING MAIL FUNCTION DRIVE TO WORK SHOP

NHTSA ID

10886281

Incident

Jul 16, 2016

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT STAY MOUNTED IN THE CAR. IT CONSTANTLY COMES OUT OF THE BOARD. IT COMES UP WHEN I AM CHANGING GEARS.

NHTSA ID

10872652

Incident

Oct 31, 2005

Mileage

20,000 mi

GFDGFDG FG DGF

NHTSA ID

10839332

Incident

Sep 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT CONNECTION FAILED AND DISABLED THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,632.

NHTSA ID

10837754

Incident

Feb 12, 2016

Mileage

95,632 mi

THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE IS ADHERED TO THE FRAME VIA FOUR BOLTS. ON THE LEFT ONE OF THOSE BOLTS BROKE OFF DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. THAT MEANS THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE IS HELD ON BY THREE BOLTS. A SERIOUS SAFTEY HAZARD BECAUSE IF ONE MORE GAVE WHILE DRIVING IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

10779901

Incident

Oct 2, 2015

Mileage

163,000 mi

THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE/GEARBOX PROTECTION SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE WHILE THE CAR IS ON THE MOVE IN A HIGHWAY. THE INCIDENCE HAPPEN TWICE IN 2011 AND 2012. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT ANY ADVERSE INCIDENCE. BUT, THE POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC INJURY AS A RESULT OF SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN A HIGHWAY CONCERNS ME.

NHTSA ID

10745651

Incident

Oct 1, 2013

Mileage

73,560 mi

THE ELECTRONIC WARNING SIGN FOR UNLOCKED SEAT BELT COMES ON WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, INCLUDING AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAYS. UNLOCKING AND RE-LOCKING THE SEAT-BELT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY APPROPRIATELY IN CASE AN ACCIDENT/COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

10745648

Incident

Oct 1, 2013

Mileage

73,560 mi

THE BACK COIL SPRING BROKE AT THE SAME TIME FEW MONTHS AGO ON THE SAME SPOTE THE POWER TRAIN DRIVE ACTING UP. THE SECTION WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BLINKER IS MOUNTED ON IS LOSE THE WHOLE SECTION BUT MERCEDES SAID THEY COULDN'T MAKE SCREWED CLOSER TOGETHER STEERING GEARBOX). *TR

NHTSA ID

10632351

Incident

Mar 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHILE THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT AND FOUND THE SEAT TO BE SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID

10553238

Incident

Nov 10, 2013

Mileage

74,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WE HAD JUST LEFT HOME ABOUT TWO MINUTES BEFORE. WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, WE DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE, ONCE HAVING JUST REVERSED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THEN DRIVING FORWARD OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AT VERY SLOW SPEED AND THEN AGAIN WHEN REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE. AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN FIRST STARTING UP THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND TURNING THE KEY, THERE HAS BEEN NO IGNITION INITIALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10535950

Incident

Aug 17, 2013

Mileage

58,995 mi

WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT 45 MPH THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT HEATING ELEMENT WAS ACTIVATED. IT WAS SWITCHED ON TO ITS HIGHEST SETTING. IN APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE THE FRONT SEATBACK LEFT SIDE BOLSTER CAUGHT FIRE BURNING A DIME SIZE HOLE AND BURNING THE FLEECE VEST WORN BY THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO STOP ALONG THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND THE DRIVER EXITED AFTER TURNING OFF THE DASH SWITCH. THE SMOLDERING STOPPED. THE SWITCH HAS SINCE REMAINED IN THE OFF POSITION AND AN APPOINTMENT WITH A MECHANIC WILL BE SCHEDULED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10483949

Incident

Nov 10, 2012

Mileage

43,392 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, HE NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 06/06/12 *JS

NHTSA ID

10454334

Incident

Mar 30, 2012

Mileage

60,000 mi

GREETINGS: ABOUT A MONTH AFTER HAVING MY CAR SERVICED FOR B SIDE OF MAINTENANCE, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THIS UNKNOWN SRS LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD; AFTER LOOKING THRU THE MANUAL, I REALIZED IT WAS SOMETHING DEALING WITH AIR BAG, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP EMPHASIZED IT WAS SOMETHING I NEEDED TO GET IT TAKEN CARE OF SOONEST. NOT HAVING THE CASH, I ASKED HIM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL; HE SIMPLY SAID HE HAD CHECKED, AND NO. TODAY OCT. 14, I BORROWED THE MONEY, AND TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE WORK; IT IS TOO SOON AS I DO NOT RECEIVE IT BACK UNTIL OCT. 15. AT THIS POINT, I AM NOT VERY PLEASED AS I FELT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE PAYING FOR. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND I ALWAYS TAKE IT IN TO HAVE IT SERVICED WHEN REQUIRED. THIS JOB IS COSTING ME $500!!!!!!! AND I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS AT ALL! *TR

NHTSA ID

10430274

Incident

Feb 16, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID

10411835

Incident

Jul 5, 2011

Mileage

89,000 mi

MB C240 - WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY SWERVED TO THE LEFT. ROAD WAS EVEN AND NO POTHOLES. I HAD TO PULL IT TO THE RIGHT TWICE BEFORE I WAS BACK ON MY LANE. LUCKY NO OPPOSITE TRAFFIC. I BOUGHT MY C240 IN 2005 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED.*TR

NHTSA ID

10306819

Incident

Dec 5, 2009

Mileage

37,300 mi