2004 Mercedes Benz C230: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURE. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, THE DEALER CHANGED THE BRAKES. DURING THE THIRD FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE SKID IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE DEALER WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND SOME PARTS WERE REPLACED. DURING THE FOURTH FAILURE, …

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191314 at NHTSA ↗

HESITATION (JERKING) UPON ACCELERATION, USUALLY DURING TURNS OR WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE (NEW). I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM NO LESS THAN SEVEN (7) TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT OCCURS WHEN THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE IS IDLING. ATTEMPTS TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING: CHARCOAL CANISTER SHUT OFF VALVE REPLACEMENT, LEAK IN CODUCTOR SLEEVE REPAIRED, PERFORMED ADAPTATION …

Owner-reported narrative. 12,444 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212438 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT COMPUTER CHIP WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. UPDATED 5/5/08 *CN UPDATED 05/05/08. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224799 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE ALARM SOUNDS CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE KEY WILL NOT DISABLE IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES BUT I SEEM TO FIND LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET BLOGS REGARDING OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IS OUR RIGHT AS A CONSUMER? SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL TO GET THIS CORRECTED? *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238948 at NHTSA ↗

MERCEDES BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORT SEDAN BEGAN TO LEAK OIL INTO THE CAM MAGNET SENSOR WHICH LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE. MB HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE 111 AND 271 SERIES OF ENGINE FOR MANY YEARS. COSTING THE CONSUMER HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR A PROBLEM THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT. NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FLAKING OR SHOWING SIGNS OF LEAKING OIL UNTIL ITS TOO LATE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250881 at NHTSA ↗

THIS IS A 2004 MERCEDES C230. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I WENT TO DEALER WITHIN 5 MILES OF WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THAT IT HAD DRIPPED OVER SEVERAL COMPONENTS AND THE WIRING HARNESS. I WOULD COST $3,500 TO REPAIR BUT THEY ABSORBED THE LABOR COST AND IT SHOULD COST ABOUT $2,000. I HAVE NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR. THEY SAID THE THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF WHERE THE O2 SENSOR THAT LEAKED IS. IT SEEMS ODD TO HAVE MINOR ISSUE CAUSE SUCH ENORMOUS DAMAGE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 55,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267393 at NHTSA ↗

THIS IS A 2004 MERCEDES C230. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I WENT TO DEALER WITHIN 15 MILES OF WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THAT IT HAD DRIPPED OVER THE WIRING HARNESS. IT WOULD COST $3,500 TO REPAIR. I HAVE NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR. THEY SAID THE THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF WHERE THE O2 SENSOR IS LOCATED. THIS IS A DEFECT AND DESIGN FLOW CREATED BY MB. THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL TO PROTECT THE WIRING HARNESS

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322904 at NHTSA ↗

THE CAM SENSORS ON THE MERCEDES M271 ENGINE LEAK OIL WHICH SPREADS TO OTHER COMPONENTS VIA THE WIRE HARNESSES CONNECTED TO CAM SENSORS. OIL CONTAMINATION WILL DAMAGE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS (NAMELY THE ECU AND EXHAUST OXYGEN SENSORS) IF THE CAM SENSORS AND WIRE HARNESSES ARE NOT REPLACED. A NEW CAM SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN DESIGNED AS THE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE DEFECTIVE CAM SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS WERE USED ON THE PREVIOUS ENGINE DESIGN (M111). THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR M111 ENGINE BUT NOT THE M271 ENGINE. MERCEDES …

Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327627 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

Reported: 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

Reported: 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.