2003 Mercedes Benz 240: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10030972 · 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)
PIN CHEN, MY FATHER, WAS MAKING A SLOW U-TURN ON A SMALL STREET ABOUT 11 FEET WIDE (VICKIE STREET IN CERRITOS) ON JULY 29, 2003. WHILE HE WAS SLOWLY MARKING A U-TURN, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO THE CURB. I CONTACTED THE MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANT AND A MECHANIC, CHRIS FROM HOUSE OF IMPORT BUNEA PARK, CAME TO SCENE AND CHANGED THE FLAT TIRE. PIN CHEN DESCRIBED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED TO CHRIS. CHRIS RECOMMENDED HIM TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER CHECKUP. PIN DROVE THE CAR BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL DEALERS…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042175 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND SAFETY HAZARD IN 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240.*MR THE VEHICLE FULL SIZE SPARE IS MOUNTED ON A WHEEL OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL THAN THE WHEEL IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE SPARE TIRE WAS MOUNTED WITH THE BOLTS REMOVED FROM THE TIRE BEING REPLACED, SEVERE DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE WHEEL AND RIM. THE TIRE SPECIFICATIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL INDICATED THAT DIFFERENT RIMS WERE USED FOR THE MOUNTED TIRES AND SPARE IN THE US, BUT THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT DIFFERENT BOLTS WERE REQUIRED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042175 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 10043973 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)
WHEN TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049480 · 2003-12-09 (December 9, 2003)
WARNING LIGHT STATING ESP-BAS THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE FIRST THE CAR WAS 2 MONTHS OLD AS A NEW CAR AND THE DEALER FOUND CORROTED WIRES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 17,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049480 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 10050729 · 2003-12-18 (December 18, 2003)
NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA , WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 17,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062262 · 2004-03-15 (March 15, 2004)
COMPLAINT FILED WITH MERCEDES BENZ. THOSE 17-INCH WHEELS GET BENT EASILY THIS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR FEW MONTHS AGO, I HAVE BEEN TOLD TWICE BY MERCEDEZ THAT I NEED TO CHANGE THOSE RIMS. HERE IS A COMPLAINT, WHICH I FILED WITH MERCEDES BENZ:*AK I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE BEEN TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE MERCEDES CAR WHICH I BOUGHT A FEW MONTHS AGO. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE MY TIRE RIMS TWICE AS THEY HAVE BEEN BENT. WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL ENQUIRIES, I AM TOLD…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062262 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.