2003 Mercedes Benz 240 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
37,011 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 27 complaints (14.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 18.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Wheels:Rim | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Wheels:Rim: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2012 | 2 |
2002: 1; 2003: 5; 2004: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2009: 4; 2010: 6; 2012: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10159716 · 2006-06-13 (June 13, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY INDICATED AN EMPTY TANK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO DASH PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK GAUGES. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH PANEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED IN REGARDS TO THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION BY THE DEALER.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341093 · 2010-07-02 (July 2, 2010)
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON 9/23/08 (1ST TIME OF PROBLEM REPORTED) FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THE AUXILIARY PUMP, MOUNTING PLATE, AND SEAL RING WERE REPLACED (SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH LIST OF ADDITIONAL DATES). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,684 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043969 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067583 · 2004-04-21 (April 21, 2004)
VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND NOTICED ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS A BROKEN WIRE? LUCKY DID NOT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269085 · 2009-05-18 (May 18, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C-240. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THE GEAR DISPLAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN THIRD GEAR, BUT IT FEELS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,300. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL HONOR WHATEVER THE DEALER DECLARES TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452045 · 2012-03-17 (March 17, 2012)
AFTER PURCHASING CAR IN 2007 USED WITH 60K MILES, TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, DRIIVNG ONLY 40K OVER 4 YEARS,THE VEHECLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050113 · 2004-01-16 (January 16, 2004)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN $7500.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGES. MERCEDES WANTED TO GIVE THE OWNER A NEW VEHICLE BUT WANTED $4000.00 DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE BECAUSE OF TIME OWNED. *PH THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE UPON BRAKING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGED FORWARD WHEN STOPPING, THE REAR BRAKE LAMPLIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE, HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION, THE SUN ROOF DID NOT CLOSE AND WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, AND THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10169063 · 2006-09-12 (September 12, 2006)
2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240'S BRAKES PULSATED WHILE STOPPING. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THE BRAKE DISCS HAD SURFACE PITTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB THE DISC COULD NOT BE MACHINED BECAUSE THEY LACKED HE METAL BACKING TO PERMIT RESURFACING. THE CONSUMER HAS THE DISC IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10169063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173952 · 2006-11-21 (November 21, 2006)
I HAVE PURCHASED TWO VEHICLES FROM STADIUM AUTO, INC. @ 800 NORTH WATSON RD. ARLINGTON, TEXAS 7601[phone removed]. ONE BEING A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRACK MOTOR 7 DAYS LATER (PER THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE TECH THAT SERVICED THE VEHICLE THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A BAD COLLISION. STADIUM AUTO APOLOGIZED AND SWITCHED ME OUT OF THE VOLKSWAGEN CONTRACT INTO A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ 240 (WHAT AN UPGRADE) BUT FOR THE SAME PRICE. THE MERCEDES HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE SHOP OF PARK PLACE MOTORCARS @ 6113 LEMON AVE. DALLAS, TEXAS 75209 [phone …
Owner-reported narrative. 540,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173952 at NHTSA ↗