2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 106 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 4 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: power train
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Apr 11, 2020
AT 178,000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED WHILE THE CAR DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ALLOWED THE TIMING CHAIN TO SKIP SEVERAL TEETH LEAVING THE CAR STRANDED AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE INTERNALS. THE CAR WAS DEALER SERVICED SINCE NEW AND ALWAYS HAD MAINTENANCE ON TIME. THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND MERCEDES BENZ USA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT YET THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY MADE THEM WRONG BECAUSE THEY HAVE UPDATED THE CHAINS AND TENSIONERS.
Power train, Engine, Mar 12, 2020
"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL" LEVEL WARNING SIGN WAS ON. APPARENTLY, THERE IS LEAKING OF COOLANT SOME WHERE. IT WAS AT THE WATER PUMP, WHICH WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 20, 2019. IT HAPPENS AGAIN NOW, ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Dec 14, 2013
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE SENDING UNIT OF THE VEHICLE AND DOWN ONTO THE REAR WHEELS DIFFERENTIAL, THE VEHICLES FUEL TANK AND SENDER UNIT HAD BEEN REPLACED BY MERCEDES UNDER WARRANTY ON 11/25/03 MILEAGE IN 43088 MILEAGE OUT 43092 AT THE HOEHN CARLSBAD CA DEALER SHIP: INVOICE NUMBER 465553. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED AGAIN AND I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT A LIMITED ISSUE TO MY VEHICLE BUT ONE THAT HAS IMPACTED ALL C CLASS AND E CLASS VEHICLES AND HAS AN ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF $2,073.30. HOW IS DAIMLER AG ALLOWED TO SELL THESE VEHICLES THAT POSE AN EXTREME RICK THE PUBLIC AND PROPERTY IN THE US. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOW NO LONGER COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND I WILL HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLOOR AND SUBSEQUENT MALFUNCTION THAT POSSES A LIFE THREATENING RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY IF NOT RESOLVED ASAP. I DREAD TO THINK ABOUT ALL THE PRESENT MERCEDES C-CLASS AND E-CLASS OWNERS DRIVING AROUND IN A TICKING TIME BOMB JUST WAITING TO GO OFF, THERE MUST BE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDING UNITS/GAS TANKS LEAKING GAS DOWN AND AROUND HOT EXHAUST PIPES OF THEIR VEHICLES AND THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PERENNIALLY LIFE THREATENING MALFUNCTION BECAUSE DAIMLER AG HAS NOT RECALLED ALL VEHICLES OUTFITTED WITH RECOGNIZED DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDING UNITS/GAS TANKS AND RESOLVED THE TICKING TIME BOMBS. IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME WHATEVER ATTEMPT DAIMLER AG HAS TAKEN IS NOT ENOUGH TO MITIGATE ANY FURTHER DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDING UNITS/GAS TANKS. PLEASE ADVISE ON ANY WHETHER WE HAVE ANY RE-CAUSE WITH DAIMLER AG OR MERCEDES U.S.A TO GET THIS FRIGHTENING ISSUE RESOLVED FOR NOT ONLY ME BUT ALSO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN MOTORIST PRESENTLY DRIVING TICKING BOMBS. YOU MAY CONTACT ME ON DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 19, 2013
I HAVE A 2003 C 320 MBNZ, THE RADIATOR LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED A LACK OF POWER AND THEREFORE A LOSS OF ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, LEAVING YOU VULNERABLE DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS ONLY 50026 MILES ON IT. *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2011
2003 MERCEDES C320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A SAFETY RECALL TRANSFER CASE *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO ASSIST WITH ABSORBING SOME OF THE COST FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 27, 2009
ON A 2003 C 320 MBNZ, THE RADIATOR NOW LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE THE RADIATOR TO BE REPLACED AND FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE FLUSHED. THIS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID COULD HAVE ALREADY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, AND IF SO, IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES A LACK OF POWER AND THEREFORE A LOSS OF ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY WARNING, OFTEN LEAVING YOU VULNERABLE DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER, A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Structure, Sep 11, 2008
I PURCHASE MY 2003 MERCEDES FROM CARMAX IN 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAD 45,000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT. FROM THE TIME I PURCHASE THIS CAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE SUNROOF MOTOR, REPLACE THE SHOCKS, REPLACE THE TRUCK LOCK, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, AND I HAD SOME TRANSMISSION WORK DONE. MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HAVING TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS EVERY 6 MONTHS. I SUSPECT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT COMPLETELY PROVE IT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. WITH 1 YEAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS 3 TIMES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT LOW BEAM BULBS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS IS SURPRISING SINCE THIS CAR (UNDER MY OWNERSHIP) HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED I PURCHASED THIS CAR! *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Oct 14, 2005
I AM THE OWNER OF A C-230 4 DOOR SEDAN VIN#[XXX]. I HAVE AN ISSUE THAT I WAS LOOKING INTO ADDRESSING WHEN ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE JUST AROSE THAT I NEED HELP FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO I HAVE CONTACTED BUT NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. 1) LAST WEEK I DECIDED TO QUOTE INSURANCE AND MAKE A CHANGE TO ALLSTATE. ONCE THEY PUT IN THE VIN# MAJOR ISSUES CAME. THE PRICE WAS WAY DIFFERENT THEN WHAT I WAS PAYING WITH MERCURY. TO MAKE THIS SHORT, AFTER TALKING TO MY BROKER AT MERCURY, IT TURNS OUT MY 4 DOOR HAS THE VIN# OF A 2 DOOR COUPE. I CALLED BEVERLY HILLS LTD WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. THEY DID NOTHING. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL TEMP REGISTRATION FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, AND THE DEALER TYPED COUPE NOT FOUR DOOR AND ON THE LEASE AGREEMENT. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS. HERE ARE MY ISSUES. THE COUPE IS MORE EXPENSIVE ON INSURANCE - I HAVE BEEN OVERPAYING SINCE 2/2003. 2ND, AM I PAYING A FAIR LEASE RATE IF THE VIN# IS FOR ANOTHER BODY STYLE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT NIGHTMARE TO DEAL WITH SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED 8 TIMES, TRANSMISSION WORK, 2 COMPUTERS, CAMSHAFT, NEW RADIO, IDLE ISSUES, BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, AND SO ON. IT'S A COMPLETE LEMON. IT IS GOING IN NEXT WEEK AGAIN. I HAVE ONLY 21,000 ON THE CAR, AND DRIVE MY 2ND CAR MORE A 79 300SD MERCEDES AS IT IS MORE RELIABLE THEN THIS NEW CAR. I NEED SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE TO GO TO, ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS SO MUCH, [XXX] - PHONE OR EMAIL *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 28, 2005
MY MERCEDES-BENZ C-240 (2003 MODEL), HAVING LESS THAN 18500 MILES, SUDDENLY LOST POWER AFTER SOME 2-HOUR WORTH OF FREE-WAY DRIVING. AROUND NOON ON FRIDAY, 8/26/05, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH -BOUND ON I-15 PAST VICTORVILLE (CA), ABOUT 9 MILES PAST THE EXIT FOR ROUTE 18, WHEN MY C-240 SUDDENLY LOST POWER. AS I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, I FELT NO POWER AND THE RPM WAS DECREASING. IT FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE ENGINE-TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WAS SHUTTING DOWN. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. I MADE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LETTING OTHER VEHICLES KNOW I WAS COMING OFF THE FREE-WAY. I MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER SAFELY AND CAME TO FULL STOP ON THE GRAVEL. AT THAT TIME, MY DIGITAL ODOMETER READ "1 MALFUNCTION". USING MY CELL PHONE, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE MERCEDES HOTLINE. THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE, KRISTIN, ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THE "1 MALFUNCTION" SIGN BECAME "NO MALFUNCTION" A LITTLE LATER. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER IN RIVERSIDE, SOME 50 MILES AWAY. AT THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPT, AFTER A BASIC CHECK INVOLVING COMPUTER AND ELECTRONICS, SOME FAULTY IDENTIFICATIONS WERE MADE, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE SAFE AND DRIVABLE. I DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME, PLANNING TO HAVE A MAJOR CHECK UP LATER. *JB
Power train, May 22, 2005
ROUGH IDLE; RATTLING NOISE IN ENGINE AREA, HARSH SHIFTING, NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING WITH A CLICKING SOUND, WINDOW CONTROS SCRATCH WINDOW TINT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Equipment, Sep 21, 2004
A YEAR AGO, I BROUGHT A C230 COMPRESSOR AT MERCEDES-BENZ AND SINCE THEN, I HAD TO REPAIR MY A/C TWICE, THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE IN ONE WEEK, AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS ACTING OUT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN A GREAT DEAL, THE PROBLEM(S) STILL EXIST. IN ONE MONTH ALONE, I BROUGHT MY CAR IN ABOUT 3 TIMES TO FIX ALMOST THE SAME PROBLEM(S). MY LAST VISIT WAS THIS PAST WEEK, AND JUST TODAY, I GOT MY CAR BACK AND THE TRANSMISSION STILL FEELS FUNNY. IT JERKS WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND FOR SOME REASON, I FEEL MORE UNSAFE NOW THEN BEFORE.*AK
Power train, Apr 16, 2004
THIS IS A 2003 C230 KOMPRESSOR; MANUAL TRANSMISSION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES; CYLINDER HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/ VALVES NOT SEATED PROPERLY. NOW MB SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND PARTS.*AK
Power train, Oct 28, 2003
2003 C230 HAS TRANSMISSION THAT JERKS, AND REQUIRES EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO GET VEHICLE TO MOVE WHEN IN REVERSE, ALSO HAS WEAK RIM DESIGN, AND BEND EASILY, HIT POT HOLE ON HIGHWAY AND BENT FRONT RIM. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Equipment, Aug 6, 2003
VEHILE IS AN AUTOMATIC. VEHICLE "JERKS" HARD WHEN LIGHTLY APPLYING GAS. THIS CAN BE COMPARED TO STARTING IN FIRST GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) WHEN NOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE CORRECT COMBINATION OF GAS AND CLUTCH. THIS HAPPENS WHEN TRAVELING FROM A DEAD STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES IN HITTING OTHER VEHICLES.*AK
Power train, Jul 28, 2003
I BOUGHT MY MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR 9 DAYS AGO. IT HAS ONLY 380 MILES ON IT. 2 DAYS IN A ROW WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED INTO DRIVE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. MERCEDES IS GOING TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SS. *AK