2004 Mercedes-Benz C320 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 C320, 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
- Fuel system523.8%
- Visibility29.5%
- Engine29.5%
- Other / unspecified29.5%
- Airbags29.5%
- Suspension14.8%
- Body & structure14.8%
- Interior & seats14.8%
- Tires & wheels14.8%
- Steering14.8%
- Brakes14.8%
- Driver assistance14.8%
- Electrical14.8%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
STRONG GAS SMELL
I SMELT FUEL INSIDE MY CAR WHENEVER MY CAR WOULD BE FILLED TO A FULL TANK OF GAS AND FOR A PERIOD OF TIME UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL DROPPED. MY CAR STARTED TO DRIVE FUNNY AND NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY THEN STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. MERCEDES DIAGNOSED IT AS A FUEL SYSTEM ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE PARTS AT MERCEDES AND HAD IT REPAIRED AND THEN THEN RECEIVED A WEEK LATER A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM AS A SAFETY ISSUE. . THE DEALER DID NOT FIX MY CAR AND HAS AVOIDED THE ASSISTANCE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND I CAN NOT REACH ANYONE AT MERCEDES CORPORATE THAT CAN HELP.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATION AND ISSUES WITH HEADLINER AND REAR SAIL PANELS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY PLACED BACK IN THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE DEEMED DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED, SHE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND SOON DISCOVERED THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS SHODDY. *JB
I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR THE BLOWER AND I HAVE TO PAY WHATEVER PARTS THAT NEEDS REPLACING. NOW THE CAR IS ALMOST 60,000 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME LAST WEEK. I NOTICE THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND IT FAILS TO TURNOVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT DIDN'T START THE FIRST TIME, THE CEL CAME ON. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT LOOKS TIGHT TO ME. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD MAKE A VERY LOUD AND UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. I THOUGHT I MADE A RIGHT DECISION OF BUYING A MERCEDES BENZ DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION. WITH THE ECONOMY NOWADAYS AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE MB SERVICE ARE CHARGING I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR. *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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. *TR
I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR THE BLOWER AND I HAVE TO PAY WHATEVER PARTS THAT NEEDS REPLACING. NOW THE CAR IS ALMOST 60,000 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME LAST WEEK. I NOTICE THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND IT FAILS TO TURNOVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT DIDN'T START THE FIRST TIME, THE CEL CAME ON. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT LOOKS TIGHT TO ME. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD MAKE A VERY LOUD AND UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. I THOUGHT I MADE A RIGHT DECISION OF BUYING A MERCEDES BENZ DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION. WITH THE ECONOMY NOWADAYS AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE MB SERVICE ARE CHARGING I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
My right rear tire wares from the inside to the middle only the rest of the tire is good. I’ve had two blowouts because I can’t see that part of my tire without getting down on the ground to look at it. The part I see looks good. My tire seems to be kicked out a bit at the bottom. This is the only tire I have problems with.
I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR THE BLOWER AND I HAVE TO PAY WHATEVER PARTS THAT NEEDS REPLACING. NOW THE CAR IS ALMOST 60,000 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME LAST WEEK. I NOTICE THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND IT FAILS TO TURNOVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT DIDN'T START THE FIRST TIME, THE CEL CAME ON. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT LOOKS TIGHT TO ME. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD MAKE A VERY LOUD AND UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. I THOUGHT I MADE A RIGHT DECISION OF BUYING A MERCEDES BENZ DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION. WITH THE ECONOMY NOWADAYS AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE MB SERVICE ARE CHARGING I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR. *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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IMPACT ACTIVATED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE, BACK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER INJURIES. WHILE WAITING ON POLICE AND MEDICAL SERVICE TO ARRIVE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS STILL FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. ..UPDATED 08/26/15 *BF MA 10/22/2015
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
My right rear tire wares from the inside to the middle only the rest of the tire is good. I’ve had two blowouts because I can’t see that part of my tire without getting down on the ground to look at it. The part I see looks good. My tire seems to be kicked out a bit at the bottom. This is the only tire I have problems with.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATION AND ISSUES WITH HEADLINER AND REAR SAIL PANELS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY PLACED BACK IN THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE DEEMED DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED, SHE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND SOON DISCOVERED THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS SHODDY. *JB
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHILE THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND STATED THEY HAD THE SAME FAILURE IN ANOTHER MODEL. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED A REQUEST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION = GOODYEAR TIRE HAD AN INTERIOR WALL "TEAR" THAT CAUSE SUDDEN DEFLATION SUGGESTING A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS TIRE.....THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED FROM THE TIRE RACK SEPTEMBER 2007 (LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO) AND HAD LESS THAN 10,000 MILES OF NORMAL SUBURBAN DRIVEN...THE "TECHNICIAN UPON REVIEW OF THE IMAGES OF THE TIRE STATED "NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT". *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
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 C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES C320 THAT INCORRECTLY THOUGHT THAT IT NEEDED TO CUT POWER TO THE VEHICLE WHEN I WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT. IT DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES, I WOULD GUESS ABOUT 6 OR 7, FROM THE TIME I LEFT MY HOUSE UNTIL I TURNED AROUND AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE LESS THAN 1/2 MILE DRIVING DISTANCE. THESE WERE NOT ALL COMPLETE LEFT TURNS, MOST WERE CURVES TO THE LEFT. MY WIFE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER LATER THAT DAY, AND DECIDED NOT TO HAVE IT LOOKED INTO BECAUSE IT DID NOT DO IT TO HER AND "THE CAR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED" ALSO SHE DECIDED SHE DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THAT WOULD NOT PRODUCE ANY FAULTS. IT HAS NOT DONE IT SINCE, ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW, BUT I CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED THAT IT WILL RECUR IN A MORE SERIOUS SITUATION. THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING THAT THE CAR IS WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE CUT POWER AS IT SHOULD WHEN IT DETECTS ONE OF SEVERAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT THERE WAS NO CONDITION TO CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE TIRES WERE NOT ABOUT TO SPIN AND THE YAW OR WHATEVER IT IS WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER ALSO KEEPS SUGGESTING THAT I DISENGAGE THE ESC IF I DO NOT WANT IT. I THINK THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE ADVISE, THE ESC IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY DEVICE THAT I DO NOT REALLY WANT TO DISENGAGE, BUT I ALSO DO NOT WANT IT TO ENGAGE INCORRECTLY IN A CRITICAL SITUATION. *TR
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
I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR THE BLOWER AND I HAVE TO PAY WHATEVER PARTS THAT NEEDS REPLACING. NOW THE CAR IS ALMOST 60,000 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME LAST WEEK. I NOTICE THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND IT FAILS TO TURNOVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT DIDN'T START THE FIRST TIME, THE CEL CAME ON. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT LOOKS TIGHT TO ME. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD MAKE A VERY LOUD AND UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. I THOUGHT I MADE A RIGHT DECISION OF BUYING A MERCEDES BENZ DUE TO THE FACT THE CAR HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION. WITH THE ECONOMY NOWADAYS AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE MB SERVICE ARE CHARGING I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR. *TR
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 .