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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.

Complaints by model year
  2. 106

Of the 2003 reports, 4 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine and engine cooling24 reports · 23% of complaints
Owner complaints106Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationshipNo recalls on fileNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine and engine cooling24
  2. Electrical system22
  3. Power train15
  4. Air bags13
  5. Fuel/propulsion system10
  6. Fuel system9
  7. Exterior lighting8
  8. Gasoline8

Recalls and investigations

No safety recalls on file.

Representative owner complaints

106 reports, newest first.

  1. 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

  2. Vehicle speed control, Jun 9, 2003

    WHILE VISITING SOUTH EASTERN UTAH IN A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THROTTLE RESPONDED ON THE THIRD PRESS OF GAS PEDAL ON EACH OCCASION. CAR HAD ONLY 7,500 MILES ON IT. ON FIRST OCCASION, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR. DASH BOARD INDICATOR DID NOT SHOW ANY MALFUNCTION DURING ANY OF THESE OCCASIONS. *AK

  3. Steering, Jun 9, 2003

    THE POWER STEERING WAS TIGHT AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. *JB *TT

  4. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 13, 2003

    THIS IS A NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C230 COMPRESSOR ENGINE WITH ONE THOUSAND MILES. LAST MONTH A SULFUR SMELL EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST WHILE WARMING. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. THREE TIMES THIS WEEK ON IGNITION THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE AND I HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER. THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO FIX IT. *JB

  5. Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 10, 2002

    CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS TWO WEEKS OLD AND HAS A FUEL TANK PROBLEM. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMNIATED. THE DEALER STATES A PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN THE PLASTIC GAS TANK. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. MR

  6. Vehicle speed control, Sep 5, 2002

    THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AND CONTROL PEDAL MALFUNCTION NEARLY RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE VIOLENTLY APPLIED WITH BOTH FEET TO PREVENT THE SURGING VEHICLE FROM REAR-ENDING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE AT A TRAFFIC INTERSECTION.*AK