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U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Mercedes Benz C240: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

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 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 ↗

Owner report 10151713 · 2006-03-03 (March 3, 2006)

WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT I NOTICED A HUGE BUBBLE ON THE LEFT SIDE FRONT TIRE AND RIGHT FRONT DOES NOT HOLD AIR. I DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES AND DON'T DRIVE FAST AT ALL. CONTACTED DEALER AS CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE ONLY 4600 MILES. DEALER REFUSED TO CHANGE TIRE FOR FREE AND REFUSED TO CONSIDER TIRE DEFECTIVE. TIRES ARE VERY BAD QUALITY AND / ORE DEFECTIVE AS HAVING NEW CAR WITH 4600 MILES SHOULD NOT WEAR TIRE TO SUCH EXTEND TO HAVE BUBBLES. DEALER CLAIMED THAT BUBBLES ONLY HAPPEN WHILE CAR HITS HOLE IN THE ROAD HOWEVER SUCH A NEW TIRES SHOULD WI…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151713 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10243164 · 2008-09-23 (September 23, 2008)

FRONT AIRBAG MALFUNCTON. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10243164 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10243193 · 2008-09-23 (September 23, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE SEAT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243193 at NHTSA ↗

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 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 10430274 · 2011-10-15 (October 15, 2011)

GREETINGS: ABOUT A MONTH AFTER HAVING MY CAR SERVICED FOR B SIDE OF MAINTENANCE, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THIS UNKNOWN SRS LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD; AFTER LOOKING THRU THE MANUAL, I REALIZED IT WAS SOMETHING DEALING WITH AIR BAG, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP EMPHASIZED IT WAS SOMETHING I NEEDED TO GET IT TAKEN CARE OF SOONEST. NOT HAVING THE CASH, I ASKED HIM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL; HE SIMPLY SAID HE HAD CHECKED, AND NO. TODAY OCT. 14, I BORROWED THE MONEY, AND TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE WORK; IT IS TOO SOON AS I DO NOT RECEIVE IT BACK UNTIL …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10430274 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

19V918000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V954000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V874000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗