1999 Mercedes Benz C230: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
67,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 21 complaints (9.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10017653 · 2004-04-28 (April 28, 2004)
NAR 04/28/2003 MR NON COMFORMITY AND MAJOR DEFECTS WITH PREOWNED CAR PURCHASED. DEFECTS INCLUDE, AIR CONDTIONER UNIT, BRAKES, AND FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSING LIGHT BULBS TO BE REPLACED. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,966 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033947 · 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND WOULD COST $1000. *AK *SCC *JB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051050 · 2003-12-24 (December 24, 2003)
FUEL GAUGE FAILURE:READS MORE THAN THERE IS AT TIMES; HAS RESULTED IN RUNNING OUT OF FUEL;ERRATIC READING EVEN AFTER FILLING TANK WITH FUEL;WILL SHOW FULL AND A FEW MINUTES LATER SHOWS EMPTY. ALSO, BRAKE LIGHT BULBS BURING OUT AT 1 TO 2 MONTH INTERVALS. SOMETIMES DASH INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS BURNED OUT BULB WHEN ALL ARE WORKING, OTHER TIMES LIGHT HAS BURNED OUT AND INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOT ON.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 38,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094448 · 2004-09-27 (September 27, 2004)
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO CONSUMER SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND APPEARED TO BE SATISFIED. THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE HAD NO ELECTRICAL POWER. ALSO, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT VEHICLE WAS IN A FLOOD, BUT WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS BY THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101608 · 2004-11-24 (November 24, 2004)
VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STAND STILL. CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, WHICH FORCED HER INTO THE BACK OF A TRUCK. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172575 · 2006-11-03 (November 3, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT AN IDLE, THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THERE WAS A HESITATION. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE INNER COOLING SYSTEM WAS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE INNER COOLER SYSTEM, VALVE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, AND OXYGEN SENSOR WERE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10179361 · 2007-01-22 (January 22, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1999 MERCEDES C230 AT 35MPH THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE SLIPPED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER A NUMBER OF TIMES IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND AN INSURANCE REPORT. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR IN THE FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10179361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10362763 · 2010-10-28 (October 28, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. UPON EXAMINATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RESTING ON THE FRONT TIRE. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING MOUNT FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD RUSTED SEVERELY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362763 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.