SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2003 Mercedes Benz C Class

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
9Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
8
200014
200131
20029
200315
20045
20059
2006
Compare all C Class years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Air Bags
1Equipment
1Fuel System, Other
1
All reported categories
Power Train
1Seat Belts
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 7 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
70,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO FLUSH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION OR REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IF THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY FLUSHING THE SYSTEM, THE TRANSM…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO FLUSH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION OR REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IF THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY FLUSHING THE SYSTEM, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR OVER $2,000 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THERE WEE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO HER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE CONSUMER HAS TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/07/11.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10411780

70,003 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2003 MERCEDES C240 STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROLONGED TURNPIKE TRAVEL ( 1.5 HOURS) AT EXIT RAMP TO AN ARTERIAL ROADWAY. THIS INCREASES REAREND ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. MERCEDES CHECKED VEHICLE BUT NO REPORT CODES INDICATED. SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE COMPUTER OF SENSOR RELATED. MERCEDES SUGGESTED PULLING OVER FOR 30 MIN. TO LET COMPUT…

Read full complaint

2003 MERCEDES C240 STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROLONGED TURNPIKE TRAVEL ( 1.5 HOURS) AT EXIT RAMP TO AN ARTERIAL ROADWAY. THIS INCREASES REAREND ACCIDENT POTENTIAL. MERCEDES CHECKED VEHICLE BUT NO REPORT CODES INDICATED. SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY BE COMPUTER OF SENSOR RELATED. MERCEDES SUGGESTED PULLING OVER FOR 30 MIN. TO LET COMPUTER RESET. FIRST INCIDENT 12/17/08 SECOND INCIDENT 12/28/08. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253108

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.