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

Equipment complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
32,073 miles · Aug 6, 2007
Equipment

WHILE DRIVING WITH A/C SET ON "AUTO" THE A/C SYSTEM WOULD SUDDENLY TURN OFF BY ITSELF AND WOULD TURN OF REPEATEDLY WHEN STARTED AGAIN. DURING SUCH EPISODES THE A/C WOULD ACT ERRATIC WITH FANS TURNING ON AND OFF AT DIFFERENT OUTLETS, CYCLES BETWEEN HEATING AND COOLING, AND MAKES HISSING SOUNDS. THIS WOULD OCCUR MANY TIMES A DAY O…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING WITH A/C SET ON "AUTO" THE A/C SYSTEM WOULD SUDDENLY TURN OFF BY ITSELF AND WOULD TURN OF REPEATEDLY WHEN STARTED AGAIN. DURING SUCH EPISODES THE A/C WOULD ACT ERRATIC WITH FANS TURNING ON AND OFF AT DIFFERENT OUTLETS, CYCLES BETWEEN HEATING AND COOLING, AND MAKES HISSING SOUNDS. THIS WOULD OCCUR MANY TIMES A DAY ON A DAILY BASIS IN SUMMER WEATHER (EXCEPT WHEN THE CAR IS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, IT SEEMS). IT TOOK ABOUT 2 YEARS FOR THE DEALER TO FINALLY FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY COULD NOT AVOID ADMITTING ITS EXISTENCE AFTER I HAD VIDEO TAPED THE MALFUNCTION AND SHOWED THEM THE VIDEO.. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198649

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.