2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230 Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
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 p...
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 pan...
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 detachin...
The bonding agent on my roof ( between the glass panel and frame of car) is breaking down- The other week, when I had the sun roof open in direct sun ( my car is usually parked in covered parking) the bonding was sticky to the touch, and got all over my hand when I inspected the rail. I took it to ...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHTS WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED HE REPLACED THE BULB HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAI...
Mileage: 87,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C 230. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT ST...
Mileage: 121,000
SUNROOF DEFECTIVE AND MERCEDES IS NOT HONORING THIS RECALL. C CLASS WAS ANNOUNCED AS PART OF RECALL, HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT HONOR 2004 C230 DEFECTIVE SUNROOF. PLEASE HELP. I AM SURE THAT MERCEDES IS DOING THEIR BEST NOT TO REPAIR AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.
FUEL SYSTEM IS LEAKING GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAN'T PASS SMOG AND EGR HOSES THAT RUN DOWN BY THE SUPER CHARGER ARE LEAKING CAUSE THE RUBBER THEY USED KNOWING THIS WOULD HAPPEN ALL HAVE TO DO WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
FUEL SYSTEM IS LEAKING GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAN'T PASS SMOG AND EGR HOSES THAT RUN DOWN BY THE SUPER CHARGER ARE LEAKING CAUSE THE RUBBER THEY USED KNOWING THIS WOULD HAPPEN ALL HAVE TO DO WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
FUEL SYSTEM IS LEAKING GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAN'T PASS SMOG AND EGR HOSES THAT RUN DOWN BY THE SUPER CHARGER ARE LEAKING CAUSE THE RUBBER THEY USED KNOWING THIS WOULD HAPPEN ALL HAVE TO DO WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
I HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ C230 THE LIGHT IS ON BUT THE SRS IS ON GIVE MESSAGE THAT SAID DRIVE TO A WORK SHOP
I HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ C230 THE LIGHT IS ON BUT THE SRS IS ON GIVE MESSAGE THAT SAID DRIVE TO A WORK SHOP
I HAVE A MERCEDES BENZ C230 THE LIGHT IS ON BUT THE SRS IS ON GIVE MESSAGE THAT SAID DRIVE TO A WORK SHOP
MY DAUGHTER IS 18. THIS WAS MY MERCEDES THAT I HANDED DOWN TO HER THAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE SAFE. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE NOT LOCKING THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY. THIS IS PART OF A RECALL DONE BY MERCEDES. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM...
I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-95 AT 60 MPH AND TURNED ON MY AIR CONDITIONER WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE VENTS. I SHUT OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. I VISITED WITH MY PARENTS AND AS I STARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS IDLING, I TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM T...
Mileage: 127,000
I HAVE MY CAR IN THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TELLS ME I NEED A PVC HOSE AND A OXYGEN SENSOR AND BOTH THOSE ITEMS ARE ON A RECALL LIST. HE ASKED ME TO CALL THE DEALER I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THOSE ARE RECALL ITEMS BUT NOT FOR MY CAR. MY COMPLAINT IS WHY IF THIS IS A RECALL ITEM IT SHO...
VEHICLE HAS 136,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED BY ALL OWNERS. DRIVERS BUCKLE OR LATCH NO LONGER OPERATING. PRIOR TO THIS IT WAS BECOMING HARD TO RELEASE BUCKLE AFTER USE. NOW STUCK IN CLOSED POSITION. IT INDICATES THAT THE BELT IS BUCKLED BUT IT WILL NOT CATCH. VERIFIED NOTHING IS STUCK ...
Mileage: 136,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ...
Mileage: 70,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ...
Mileage: 70,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT IF THE SOUND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, THE INTAKE AND EXHAU...
Mileage: 59,000
THE FUEL TANK WILL ONLY FILL TO 3/4 AND THE VEHICLE HAS AN ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO MERCEDES BENZ FOR SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY STATE THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND HAVING SPENT APPROXIMATELY $1.000 FOR MER...
Mileage: 55,247
ENGINE STALLED WHILE WAITING FOR A LEFT TURN. HAVE A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. FAULT LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. CAR WAS PUSHED WHILE IN NEUTRAL BUT BREAKS DID NOT FUNCTION. ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OF OCCURRENCE. REPAIR IS MORE THAN $1000. MECHANIC FOUND MOT...
Mileage: 204,600
NUMEROUS THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. THE CAR HAS 124,000 RIGHT NOW. THIS IS THE BIGGEST LEMON EVER!! -CAR CAUGHT FIRE AT MERCEDES - A/C BLOWER SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FUSE BOX TO CATCH FIRE AND BURNT UNDERNEATH DASH. THEY INFORMED ME THE TECHNICIAN RECEIVED MINOR BURNS WHEN TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. -...
Mileage: 124,000
NUMEROUS THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. THE CAR HAS 124,000 RIGHT NOW. THIS IS THE BIGGEST LEMON EVER!! -CAR CAUGHT FIRE AT MERCEDES - A/C BLOWER SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FUSE BOX TO CATCH FIRE AND BURNT UNDERNEATH DASH. THEY INFORMED ME THE TECHNICIAN RECEIVED MINOR BURNS WHEN TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. -...
Mileage: 124,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO REACH FOR SOMETHING IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SNAPPED AT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC...
Mileage: 39,402
THIS CAR IS A MONEY PIT! I BOUGHT 2004 C230 KOMPRESSOR USED IN 2007. TO DATE I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $8500 IN REPAIRS AND THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH ITS LATEST AFFLICTION..A COMPLETELY BLOWN ENGINE. IT IS A USELESS PIECE OF JUNK AND I AM OUT THE $25,000 I ORIGINALLY PAID FOR IT, PLUS THE...
THIS CAR IS A MONEY PIT! I BOUGHT 2004 C230 KOMPRESSOR USED IN 2007. TO DATE I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $8500 IN REPAIRS AND THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH ITS LATEST AFFLICTION..A COMPLETELY BLOWN ENGINE. IT IS A USELESS PIECE OF JUNK AND I AM OUT THE $25,000 I ORIGINALLY PAID FOR IT, PLUS THE...
THIS CAR IS A MONEY PIT! I BOUGHT 2004 C230 KOMPRESSOR USED IN 2007. TO DATE I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $8500 IN REPAIRS AND THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH ITS LATEST AFFLICTION..A COMPLETELY BLOWN ENGINE. IT IS A USELESS PIECE OF JUNK AND I AM OUT THE $25,000 I ORIGINALLY PAID FOR IT, PLUS THE...
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN ACKERMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH HIS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. *JB
FUEL SENDING SENSOR DEFECTIVE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN OUT OF FUEL, BUT FUEL GAUGE READS A LITTLE LESS THAN HALF FULL. *TR
Mileage: 73,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE O2 SENSOR. THE O2 SENSORS WERE PLACED AUGUST 2009 BY THE DEALER; THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE ENGINE OIL BEGAN LEAKING ON THE SENSORS AGAIN SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHE...
Mileage: 44,600
1. FUEL SMELL COMING FROM CAR. 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C 230 KOMPRESSOR 2. FUEL SENDING UNIT CRACKED CAUSING THE FUEL SMELL. SIMILAR TO MB VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN #2008-020001. FUEL SMELL IS CONSTANT AND COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF PASSENGER LIGHTS A CIGARETTE AND FUMES COULD COMBUST. IF VE...
Mileage: 70,000
MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR. THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ALTERNATOR BELT HAS BROKE 3 TIMES! WHEN THE BELT SLIPPED IT AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER! VERY SCARY, LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING UNDER 25 MPH AT THE TIME. THERE MUST BE A DEFAULT IN THE DESIGN FOR THIS TO KEEP HAPPENING! *TR
Mileage: 55,000
MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR. THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ALTERNATOR BELT HAS BROKE 3 TIMES! WHEN THE BELT SLIPPED IT AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER! VERY SCARY, LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING UNDER 25 MPH AT THE TIME. THERE MUST BE A DEFAULT IN THE DESIGN FOR THIS TO KEEP HAPPENING! *TR
Mileage: 55,000
THE MOTOR OF THE MOON ROOF OF MY 2004 MERCEDES C230 HAS BURNED OUT. THE IS THE 2ND C230 I HAVE OWNED AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2002. *TR
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 ...
Mileage: 99,000
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 T...
Mileage: 80,000
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 T...
Mileage: 80,000
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 T...
Mileage: 80,000
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 I...
Mileage: 55,150
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 ...
Mileage: 46,000
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 PRO...
Mileage: 48,000
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/...
Mileage: 61,000
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 COMIN...
Mileage: 12,444
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 COMIN...
Mileage: 12,444
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 COMIN...
Mileage: 12,444
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 CHANGE...
Mileage: 17,000