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U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Mercedes Benz C240 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

30 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

66,780 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 30 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior620.0%
Transmission and shifting310.0%
Fuel system concerns310.0%
Engine operation26.7%
Braking behavior13.3%
Electrical and battery issues13.3%

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.

Air Bags
8
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
Seat Belts
3
Steering
3
Electrical System
2
Engine
2
Seats
2
Suspension
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags8
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Seat Belts3
Steering3
Electrical System2
Engine2
Seats2
Suspension2

Air Bags: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Seats: 2; Suspension: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 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.

2004
1
2006
2
2008
2
2010
1
2011
2
2012
2
2013
2
2014
1
2015
3
2016
4
2017
4
2018
4
2021
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20041
20062
20082
20101
20112
20122
20132
20141
20153
20164
20174
20184
20211
20251

2004: 1; 2006: 2; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 4; 2021: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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 10306819 · 2010-02-05 (February 5, 2010)

MB C240 - WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY SWERVED TO THE LEFT. ROAD WAS EVEN AND NO POTHOLES. I HAD TO PULL IT TO THE RIGHT TWICE BEFORE I WAS BACK ON MY LANE. LUCKY NO OPPOSITE TRAFFIC. I BOUGHT MY C240 IN 2005 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED.*TR

Owner-reported narrative. 37,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10306819 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10535950 · 2013-08-18 (August 18, 2013)

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WE HAD JUST LEFT HOME ABOUT TWO MINUTES BEFORE. WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, WE DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE, ONCE HAVING JUST REVERSED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THEN DRIVING FORWARD OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AT VERY SLOW SPEED AND THEN AGAIN WHEN REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE. AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN FIRST STARTING UP THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND TURNING THE KEY, THERE HAS BEEN NO IGNI…

Owner-reported narrative. 58,995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10535950 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10101033 · 2004-11-16 (November 16, 2004)

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND AIR PRESSURE WAS DEFECTIVE ALL OF THESE DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED BY THE DEALER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IT WOULD NOT START.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 8,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101033 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10632351 · 2014-09-11 (September 11, 2014)

THE BACK COIL SPRING BROKE AT THE SAME TIME FEW MONTHS AGO ON THE SAME SPOTE THE POWER TRAIN DRIVE ACTING UP. THE SECTION WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BLINKER IS MOUNTED ON IS LOSE THE WHOLE SECTION BUT MERCEDES SAID THEY COULDN'T MAKE SCREWED CLOSER TOGETHER STEERING GEARBOX). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10632351 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10454334 · 2012-04-06 (April 6, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, HE NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 06/06/12 *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454334 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11003321 · 2017-07-06 (July 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.

Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11003321 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10411835 · 2011-07-11 (July 11, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411835 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10148031 · 2006-01-18 (January 18, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ROOF AT THE ANTENNA. THIS CAUSES CONDENSATION TO LEAK INTO THE TRUNK. THIS IN TURN CAUSES CONDENSATION TO GO THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND CAUSES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS REPAIRED. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET OR AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL RESET INTERMITTENTLY. THIS CAUSES SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP CONC…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148031 at NHTSA ↗