2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 140 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 17 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
140 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2017
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 6, 2017
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 8, 2017
I OWN A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 FOR THREE YEARS AND ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SOFTWARE, THE ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOCKED, NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT, A CITY STREETS OR A HIGHWAY. MANY PHONE CALLS TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THE HEADQUARTER, THEY DIDN'T TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR!!! MERCEDES-BENZ WANTS PEOPLE EITHER FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE! DIE NATURALLY OR SELL THEIR CARS.
Air bags, May 19, 2017
TAKATA RECALL * HAVE HAD THIS CAR 2 YEARS WITH THE KNOW DEFECT AND STILL NO REMEDY! I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS GETS RESOLVED.. WHAT DO I DO?
Air bags, May 7, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR DAUGHTER DRIVING THE MERCEDES WITH THE AIRBAG NOT REPLACED PER THE LETTER AND MERCEDES WEBSITE INFO THE CONSEQUENCE IS VERY ALARMING AND WE DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER CAR. WE HAVE CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP AND EMAILED MERCEDES. THEY ARE STATING THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME WHEN THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE INCLUEDE BELOW WHAT IS STATED ON LETTER AND WEBSITE: CONSEQUENCE ACCORDING TO TAKATA, IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATORRUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. OUR ISSUE IS THAT WHILE WE WAIT FOR A REPLACEMENT, WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE OUR CAR WITH THE RISK OF INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. WE HOPE YOU CAN ASSISTANCE TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE SOON.
Air bags, May 2, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONTAL PASSENGER INFLATOR; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/23/17*LJ UPDATED 10/18/2017*JS
Air bags, May 1, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE COORDINATED REMEDY ORDER, DATED DECEMBER 16, 2016, MY CAR IS IN THE HIGHEST RISK PRIORITY GROUP 4 FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. PARAGRAPH 34 OF THE ORDER REQUIRES THE MANUFACTURER TO SECURE SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF PARTS AND LAUNCH THE REMEDY PROGRAM FOR PRIORITY GROUP 4 BY MARCH 31, 2017. IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH SINCE THAT DEADLINE AND DESPITE BEING IN THE HIGHEST RISK GROUP, MERCEDES HAS PROVIDED NO UPDATE ON REPLACING THE DRIVER AIRBAG IN MY CAR, WHICH I AM RELUCTANT TO DRIVE DUE TO THE RISK. ATTACHED IS A PDF EXCERPT OF THE RELEVANT PAGES FROM THE ORDER. CAN NHTSA PLEASE PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND/OR EXPEDITE MERCEDES' REMEDY LAUNCH FOR PRIORITY GROUP 4? THANK YOU.
Air bags, Feb 23, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Seats, Feb 3, 2017
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
Air bags, Jan 24, 2017
2005 MERCEDES BENZ C-230. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG MODULE RECALL 16V-081 REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD
Air bags, Oct 16, 2016
TAKATA RECALL AND MERCEDES HAS NOT PROVIDED A REMEDY.
Seats, Oct 15, 2016, fire
HEATED DRIVER SIDE SEAT BURNED THROUGH LEATHER AND SCORCHED CLOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. SMELLED SMOKE, EXITED CAR AND SEAT WAS SMOKING AND SPARKING.
Suspension, Air bags, Structure, Oct 14, 2016, crash
TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JAN 3, 2015 IN MY 05 MER BENZ C230 THE AIRBAG EXPLODED CAUSING SMOKE AND DUST LIKE PARTICALS I IMMEDIETLY GOT OFF THE CAR FROM THAT POINT ON THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING TOTTALLED I RECENTLY RECIEVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION ON 2/11/2016 I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS THE DATE THIS WAS FIGURED OUT DUE TO MY SETTLEMENT BACK IN FEB 2015 THE INSURANCE COMPANY SUBMITTED A MARKET VALUE REPORT ON MY VEHICLE DEDUCTING 2 RECALLS FROM MY CAR ONE BEING THE AIRBAG AND THIS WAS A YEAR BEFORE MERCEDES EVEN NOTIFIED THERE CUSTOMERS. I HAVE SEVERE ASTHMA AND COULD NOT BELIEVE AN AIRBAG WOULD CONTAIN THE TRASH IT DIDL. ITS GOING ON 2 YEARS AND MY CAR IS STILL SITTING ON LOT UNREPARIED WITH AIRBAG INFLATED THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE I HAVE DOCUMENTS SHOWING I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AIRBAG BEFORE TAKATA EVEN THOUGHT OF MENTIONING THERE DEFECT SHAME ON YOU.
Air bags, Sep 7, 2016
TAKATA RECALL...MY CAR HASN'T BEEN FIXED AND MERCEDES KEEP SAYS IT'S NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH I KEEP RECEIVING LETTERS
Air bags, Jul 26, 2016
MY CAR IS SUBJECT TO THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND THE DEALER HAS NOT OFFERED ME ANY REPAIRS OR ANY ACCOMMODATIONS SINCE MARCH 2016. I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM EURO MOTORS BETHESDA. EURO MOTORS BETHESDA REFUSES TO GIVE ME A LOANER CAR. PLEASE HELP ME I NEED A CAR AND I DON'T FEEL THAT MY CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE.
Seat belts, Jul 20, 2016
RESTRAINING MAIL FUNCTION DRIVE TO WORK SHOP
Electrical system, Visibility, Jun 17, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRE HARNESS TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.
Structure, Jun 6, 2016
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.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2016
RECALL
Air bags, Apr 9, 2016, crash
TAKATA RECALL: I HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND I AM CONCERNED THAT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT IN MY OPINION WAS SUCH THAT CAUSED ME TO WONDER WHY THEY DID NOT INFLATE. MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS IF THEY WORK AT ALL. MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A WET HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT AROUND 2PM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SUNROOF RECALL. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60MPH, THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE SUNROOF EXPLODING, THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2016, crash
GFDGFDG FG DGF
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 23, 2016
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2016
I PURCHASED A SECOND 2005 AMG C55 AND ONCE AGAIN, EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAKING AT TOP OF FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS IS IDENTICAL TO THE ISSUE FOUND IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA13003. EA13003 SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO 2005 & 2006 C55 AMG'S THE PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AS GASOLINE POOLS AT THE TOP OF THE SENDING UNIT AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK. SAID POOLING IS BENEATH THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 3, 2015
VEHICLE EXHIBITING SAME CHARACTERISTICS OF FUEL LEAK FROM GAS TANK AS OTHER VEHICLE MODELS INVOLVED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA13-003. STRONG FUEL ODOR ORIGINATING FROM LEFT REAR SECTION OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND LEFT REAR WHEEL AFTER FILL-UP. ONLY OCCURS AFTER FILL-UP WITH FUEL TANK OF GAS. THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION EA13-003 NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY MODEL VEHICLE, C55 AMG.
Suspension, Oct 5, 2015
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.