2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 77 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 3 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
9 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2022
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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 13, 2020
I TOOK MY CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP TO FIX A RECALL ON MY SUNROOF NHTSA RECALL # 19V918 THEY CLAIMED THEY CHECKED MY SEAL FOR DEFECTIVE BUT WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT OPEN . I ASKED THEM WHAT DID THEY DO IT NOT WORKING AT ALL . THEY WERE VERY VAGUE ON THE DETAILS TO CHECKING MY RECALL. STATED THEY DIDN'T NEED TO OPEN MY SUNROOF TO CHECK. THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE ALSO I QUESTION WHY IS IT BROKEN NOW IT WAS NOT PRIOR TO BRINGING IT IN . THEY WERE ELUSIVE AND NON COMPLIANT AND STATED IT WAS BROKEN. THEY WOULD NAKED RESPONSIBILITY NOR EXPLAIN HOW THEY INSEPECTED A SEAL IF THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT OPEN .
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2020
MY CAR HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SUNROOF SINCE IT MAY DETACH AND FLIGHT OUT, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE AT EURO MOTOR CAR IN GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND. A LADY FROM THE DEALER JUST CALL ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT THEY ARE CANCELING THE APPOINTMENT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT DO RECALLS...
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2020
SUNROOF DEFECTIVE AND MERCEDES IS NOT HONORING THIS RECALL. C CLASS WAS ANNOUNCED AS PART OF RECALL, HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT HONOR 2004 C230 DEFECTIVE SUNROOF. PLEASE HELP. I AM SURE THAT MERCEDES IS DOING THEIR BEST NOT TO REPAIR AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 17, 2019
FUEL SYSTEM IS LEAKING GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAN'T PASS SMOG AND EGR HOSES THAT RUN DOWN BY THE SUPER CHARGER ARE LEAKING CAUSE THE RUBBER THEY USED KNOWING THIS WOULD HAPPEN ALL HAVE TO DO WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2017
THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE FRONT BROKE OFF. I HAD TO PAY THROUGH THE NOSE TO GET IF FIXED. IT WAS LIKE PLASTIC. I AM 5"1 AND WEIGH UNDER 130 POUNDS. I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO BREAK IT AND I ALSO HAVE RA. I NEVER SLAM A DOOR IN ANGER. I REALLY LIKE MY CAR BUT WONDER IF THE REST OF IT WILL FALL APART. I WAS IN THE GARAGE. I HAVE THE BROKEN PIECE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2014, fire
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
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Seats, Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2007
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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2004
THIS DEFECT/CONCERN IS A GENERAL SAFETY COMPLAINT WITH RESPECT TO ALL VEHICLES WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY ENACTMENT OF STANDARDS TO BE USED BY ALL MANUFACTURERS. MAINLY THE STANDARDIZATION OF THE LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF KEY CONTROLS AND SWITCHES ON ALL AUTOMOBILES. IN TODAYS DRIVING, DRIVERS ARE PLACED BEHIND THE WHEEL OF UNFAMILIAR VEHICLES ALL THE TIME AS TRAVEL AND BUSINESS PUTS THEM IN RENTAL CARS. WITH EACH VEHICLE HAVING DIFFERENT LOCATIONS FOR LIGHT SWITCHES, FLASHERS, WINDSHEILD WIPERS/WASHERS, DIMMERS AND CRUISE CONTROLS. DRIVERS CAN END UP HAVING ACCIDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN HURRIED SITUATIONS, WHEN TRYING TO FIND THE LOCATION OF THE CONTROLS IN AN UNFAMILIAR CAR. ONE MIGHT ARGUE THAT IF YOU ARE DRIVING A NEW VEHICLE YOU SHOULD FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH ALL THE CONTROLS BEFORE STARTING TO DRIVE... BUT OFTEN TIMES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, (WINDSHIELD SPLASHED WITH MUD), YOU INSTINCTIVELY RESPOND TO WHERE YOUR EVERYDAY VEHICLES CONTROLS ARE. THIS NOT ONLY DELAYS RESOLUTION OF THE SITUATION BUT TAKES YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM DRIVING. SETTING A STANDARD WOULD MAKE AUTO MANUFACTURES PUT ALL THESE CONTROLS IN A STANDARD POSITION SO WHEN YOU GO FROM ONE CAR TO THE NEXT THEY ARE ALWAYS WHERE YOU WOULD EXPECT THEM! *AK