2004 Mercedes Benz C240 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 16 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 5; Electrical System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2010: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2020: 4; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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 10204872 · 2007-09-24 (September 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10204872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10638119 · 2014-09-22 (September 22, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SINK INTO THE FLOOR CREATING AN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMED…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10638119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721828 · 2015-05-27 (May 27, 2015)
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK FROM PARKVILLE TO BALTIMORE CITY AND MY CAR BEGAN AGGRESSIVELY JERKING. I DROVE MY CAR ON FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND THE JERKING WAS NOT AS AGGRESSIVE. I DROVE HOME ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON FROM WORK AND I COULD TELL THAT SOMETHING WAS STILL JERKING BUT CONTINUOUSLY. SATURDAY MORNING MY CAR WAS JERKING SO AGGRESSIVELY, I CALLED OWINGS MILLS MERCEDES AND LEFT IT THERE. I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY, MAY 27, 2015, THAT MY CAR NEEDED BETWEEN $1900 AND $7500 WORTH OF WORK. MY COOLANT IS LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION. IF MY RADIATOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10631279 · 2014-09-06 (September 6, 2014)
BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN JUNE 2014, AFTER EVERY TIME I FILLED THE GAS TANK, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR, AUGUST 2, 2014 CAR JUST CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, LOST ALL POWER LIKE IT WAS GETTING NO GAS AND JUST CUT OFF. AUGUST 5, FILLED GAS TANK TO TAKE TO SHOP AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND GAS LEAKED FROM UNDERSIDE OF DRIVERS SIDE REAR AREA AND AGAIN STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR, DID SOME INVESTIGATION TO FIND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER MERCEDES CARS. APPARENTLY THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THE E SERIES…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10631279 at NHTSA ↗