2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 183 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 10 involved a crash. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
183 reports, newest first.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND CAM SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO PROCESS A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 11, 2011
RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOTICE. TOOK C-230 (2006) TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CODE INDICATED A WORN TIMING GEAR PROBLEM AND WOULD REQUIRE MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR. THE COST ESTIMATE WAS $4000 TO $5000 TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART AND DETERMINE IF THE GEAR WAS WORN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PERFORMED A INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES. CAR HAS 85,000 MILES AND WAS PURCHASED IN 2008 WITH 40,000. HAVE NOT HAD THE REPAIR PERFORMED YET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2011, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT (REAR-ENDED) ON DEC 21ST 2010. THE COLLISION RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING PUSHED IN TO ANOTHER VEHICLE (TRUCK) IN FONT OF ME. THE RESULTING CRASH PRODUCED DAMAGES TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR TOTALING 15K. I NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD WAS LIT UP WITH WARNING SIGNALS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT THE SEEN OF THE COLLISION. THE REAR LIGHT WAS EXPLAINABLE AS THE LIGHT WAS KNOCKED OUT IN THE CRASH. THE ENGINE LIGHT HOWEVER WAS A BIT OF A MYSTERY. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THREE DAYS LATER AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE DRIVER AT FAULTS' INSURANCE COMPANY. THE REPAIR COMPANY NOTED THE LIGHT ALSO. I COULD ARRIVE AT NO OTHER CONCLUSION BUT THAT THE COLLISION WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY COMING ON. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ARGUES THAT THE COLLISION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT PARTICULAR LIGHT COMING ON. THE MATTER IS BEING DEALT WITH IN COURT. IN THE MEANTIME, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND RAN ACROSS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE, BY MERCEDES BENZ DRIVERS, COMPLAINING OF A CAM SHAFT PROBLEM THAT IS IDENTIFIED BY AN ENGINE LIGHT INITIALLY. IT APPEARS THAT A PART WAS DEFECTIVE YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BY MERCEDES. I'VE REACHED OUT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF AMERICA. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS RESPONDING TO MY INQUIRY, THEY STOPPED INFORMING ME OF ANY FURTHER FINDINGS. THIS AFTER PROMISING TO APPRISE ME OF THE STATUS OF MY COMPLAINT. MY ISSUE IS TWO FOLD. HOW MUCH EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY BEFORE IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS PRODUCT AND THE SERIES OF CARS THAT ARE IMPACTED BY IT, WARRANTS A RECALL? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS WIDE-SPREAD ISSUE? I MUST TELL YOU THAT AS A CONSUMER, IT IS NO MYSTERY WHAT MOST HAVE LOST TRUST IN GOVERNMENTS ABILITY TO SERVE AND PROTECT IT'S CITIZENS IN THESE MATTERS. I FOR ONE AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROCESS. I INITIALLY CONTACTED THIS OFFICE EIGHT MONTHS AGO AND HAVE HEARD NOTHING. REGARDS,[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,037.
Power train, Apr 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES C230. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SLIGHT JERKING MOTION BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESTART, BUT THE VEHICLE MOVED VERY SLUGGISH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE VALVE BODY, K1 CLUTCH AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC SEAL FOR THE COMPONENTS FAILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 1/18/2012 *LN *TR
Power train, Mar 11, 2011
I OWN A 2006 MERCEDES C230 WITH A BALANCE SHAFT GEAR PROBLEM. THE GEARS ARE RETARDING AND THE PROBLEM WILL CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ FOR THE BALANCE SHAFT GEAR FAILURE. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED FOR ALL 2006 BALANCE SHAFT GEARS ON ALL MERCEDES BENZ MODELS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 1, 2011
2006 MERCEDES C230 HAS A DEFECTIVE BALANCE SHAFT GEAR INSIDE ENGINE WHICH DRIVES THE TIMING CHAIN. MERCEDES BENZ KNOWS THAT THE MATERIALS USED WERE INSUFFICIENTLY HARDENED, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR AND POSSIBLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING , THEREBY PRESENTING A DANGER TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. MERCEDES HAS MODIFIED THE GEAR ON LATE 2006 MODELS BUT NEVER TOOK RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ALREADY SOLD IN THE EARLY 2006 PRODUCTION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN NOTED THROUGH OUT A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN THE MERCEDES LINE. SILENT RECALL HAS BEEN NOTED TO THE TECHNICIANS BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. MAYBE SAVE SOME LIVES IN THE PROCESS. ALSO NOTE THEY ARE CHARGING OWNERS APPROX $5000 AND DEALERS STATE IT IS HAPPENING OFTEN BETWEEN 30,000-100,000 MILES. NO WARNING OR SYMPTOMS UNTIL IT "JUST HAPPENS". *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2011
AT THE END OF JAN 2011, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2006 C230 MERCEDES ' BENZ. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION ON FEB 1, 2011. THE INSPECTION DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A BALANCE SHAFT. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 58,705 MILES ON IT AND WARRANTY EXPIRED ON IT AT 50,000 MILES. IF DRIVEN LONGER WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, THE VEHICLE WOULD OF MALFUNCTION. THIS SAFETY ISSUE MAY OF CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MISFIRE AND STOP DRIVING. MERCEDES ' BENZ USA HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. ALSO, SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. A RECALL SHOULD BE PUT ON ENGINE M272 & M273 BALANCE SHAFT GEAR / IDLE GEAR. THIS DEFECT IN THE ENGINE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. THE PRICING ON THE SERVICE IS REALLY RIDICULOUS. PARTS $ 478.15 AND LABOR $1946.26. THIS PRICE WAS A GOODWILL GESTURE.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C CLASS 230. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE RED ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CAM SHAFT WAS SPINNING FREE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 20, 2011
THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON IN MY 2006 C230 MERCEDES (CURRENT MILEAGE 57,000) SINCE SEPT 2010. I LATER CONFIRMED IT'S THE PROBLEM IN THE BALANCE SHAFT, WHICH DIRECTLY IMPACT ON THE ACCELERATION AND FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE SUDDEN STOPPED RUNNING FEW TIMES IN MY COMMUTE TO WORK IN A FREEWAY. LUCKILY, IT WAS DURING THE RUSH HOUR AND THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING SLOWLY. MANY TIMES WHEN I ENTERED TO THE FREEWAY IN A MERGE LANE, THE ACCELERATION DIDN'T WORK AT ALL AND I ALMOST GOT HIT BY THE OTHER CARS IN THE MERGE LANE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED IF CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT REPLACING BALANCE SHAFT WILL LEAD TO A BIG DANGER TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SINCE THE ENGINE CAN BE STOPPED ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME. REPLACING THE BALANCE SHAFT COST $6,000 (FROM THE DEALER) AND MERCEDES USA REFUSE TO COVER ANY PORTION OF THE REPAIR SINCE MY CAR EXCEEDS 50,000 MILES/4 YRS WARRANTY. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE ADVISER. THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON KNOWN PROBLEM FOR MANY OF THE MERCEDES MODELS. IN FACT, IT WAS IN THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN SINCE 2007. UNFORTUNATELY MERCEDES WOULDN'T COVER ANY REPAIR UNLESS THERE?S A RECALL OR SOMEONE DIE FROM IT. I WONDER IF MERCEDES WILL WAIT UNTIL MORE INJURIES BEFORE THEY CONSIDER STOP USING THE SAME BALANCE SHAFT IN THEIR CARS. THIS BALANCE SHAFT IS A VERY SMALL PIECE LOCATED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE. THE COST OF THE MATERIAL IS VERY INEXPENSIVE. HOWEVER, IT REQUIRES INTENSIVE LABOR BECAUSE THE ENGINE MUST BE TAKEN APART IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE BALANCE SHAFT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 16, 2011
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 51K MILES, JUST OUT OF WARRANTY ON C230 MERCEDES. THE BALANCE SHAFT IS BROKEN. NO HELP WITH MERCEDES ON THIS $3000 REPAIR. *LN
Power train, Jan 15, 2011
WE OWN A MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BALANCE SHAFT ERROR. IT TURNS OUT THE BALANCE SHAFT IS BROKEN. THE PART COST ONLY ABOUT $400. BUT SINCE REPLACING IT REQUIRES PULLING OUT AND TAKING A PART THE ENGINE, THE REPAIR IS OVER $3000. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 13, 2010
MY C230 2006 CAR HAS A ENGINE NOISE AND THATS SO LOUD. PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT THIS NOISE . I THINK THAT IS NEED TO REPLACE. *TR
Air bags, Aug 21, 2010
2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230 68K MILES. ERROR MESSAGE STATES "SRS RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DRIVE TO WORKSHOP". I AM TOLD THAT MY ENTIRE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED. REPAIR COSTS AROUND $700 TO FIX AND I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTRA $700 LAYING AROUND RIGHT NOW. FROM READING ONLINE, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON/WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES AND SHOULD LEAD TO A RECALL AS PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE WHEN DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT WORKING AIRBAGS OR PRE-TENSIONERS. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Aug 3, 2010
THE FAILURE IN THIS CASE IS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COUNTER BALANCE SHAFT ON A 2006 C230 MERCEDES BENZ WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. I'VE READ THAT MANY OF THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AND THE REASON FOR FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE SHAFT NOT HAVING PROPER HARDENING. I'VE ALSO READ THE MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS ABOUT $4500 ON A VEHICLE THAT THE WARRANTY GOES OUT IN 4 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. ALL SERVICES TO THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN DONE AS REQUIRED, BUT NOT THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. INFORMATION I'VE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM STATES THAT THERE'S NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AND THAT IT'S HAPPENING TO MANY, MANY VEHICLES. I BELIEVE IF THIS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 22, 2010
2006 C230 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN LOWER GEARS AND IT WOULD ALSO SHIFT HARD. ALSO, THE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING OIL. *JB
Tires, May 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES C280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VALVE STEMS BEGAN TO FAIL AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE SPARE TIRE ALSO BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE SPARE TIRE DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX THE VALVE STEMS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2010
BATTERY WENT DEAD ON OUR 2006 C320 MERCEDES THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND THE DEALER CLLAIMS THE BAG CAN DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNIG IF NOT REPAIRED THE CAR ONLY HAS 36000 MILES THEY REFUSED TO FIX PROBLEM WIYH OUY BEING PAID BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS 30 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY.
Seat belts, Aug 20, 2009, crash
1. VEHICLE TAKES TO MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP ON 8/31/07 FOR SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION. SEAT BELT SELF-ARRESTING. MERCEDES BENZ INSPECTS AND DETERMINES "SEAT BELT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY". 2. VEHICLE IN A REAR COLLISION ON 9/25/07 AND SEAT BELTS DO NOT ARREST. DRIVER (SELF) HITS THE STEERING WHEEL AT RIGHT BROW AND LOWER BACK INJURY APPEARS WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF ACCIDENT. 3. SAFETY COMPLAINT REGISTERED WITH MERCEDES (AFTER MUCH PRESSURE). MERCEDES INSPECTS IN FRONT OF ME BY YANKING THE BELT AND SAYS THE SEAT BELT IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE SEAT BELT DOES ARREST WHEN YANKED, BUT DID NOT ARREST WHEN REAR ENDED. 4. QUESTION: DOES MERCEDES HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO FURTHER INSPECT THE SAFETY OF THE SEAT BELT BESIDES "YANKING" IT IN FRONT OF ME? SHOULD THE SEAT BELT BE REPLACED? MERCEDES REFUSES TO GO ANY FURTHER AND MY STATUE OF LIMITATIONS - 2 YEARS IS ALMOST RUNNING OUT. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE I AM DRIVING A SAFE VEHICLE? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 19, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. WHILE BACKING UP FROM THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SPED BACKWARDS AND STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN ITS REAR. THE POLICE ISSUED A TICKET FOR $130 AND FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 23, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230. WHILE MERGING ONTO AN INTERSECTION AT 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED DIRECTLY INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT PROPERLY. THREE OCCUPANTS WERE MODERATELY INJURED. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF CALLING THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 05V560000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000.
Visibility, Feb 11, 2008
2006 C280W4 WITH A SIDE VIEW MIRROR DESIGN FLAW. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE SNAP OFF SIDE VIEW MIRROR SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THE MIRROR COST $1200.00 TO REPLACE IF IT GETS BROKEN. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WERE STOLEN TWICE. UPDATED
Structure, Nov 30, 2007
FEW MILES DRIVEN AND A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD DO NOT ALLOW TO DRIVE WITH NECESSARY SERENITY. AFTER 5 INTERVENTION ON THE CAR FINALLY THEY SOLVED THE PROBLEM, REPLACING 3 TIMES THE PLASTIC COVER UNDER THE WINDSHIELD, ONE TIME COMPLETELY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. NOW THAT THE WINTER AND COLD TEMPERATURES ARE BACK THE NOISE IS BACK AGAIN. UNBELIEVABLE FOR A MERCEDES-BENZ. *TR
Tires, Oct 18, 2007
HIGHWAY CRUISING AT STEADY STATE SPEED, APROX 65 MPH. RIGHT FRONT TIRE FAILURE. CONTROL WAS MAINTAINED. PULLED OFF TO SHOULDER AND REPLACED TIRE WITH SPARE. TIRE IS BEING REPLACED. DAMAGED TIRE IS AVAILABLE. *JB