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1998 Mercedes Benz C230

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Mercedes Benz C230 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 39

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1998 Mercedes Benz C230

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 39 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Suspension: 9 reports
  • Electrical System: 7 reports
  • Structure: 6 reports
  • Power Train: 5 reports
  • Visibility: 5 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    7
    1997    39
    1998    29
    1999    29
    2000    4
    2001
    Compare all C230 years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Suspension
    9    Electrical System
    7    Structure
    6    Power Train
    5    Visibility
    5
    All reported categories
    Fuel System, Other
    3    Engine And Engine Cooling
    2    Steering
    2    Tires
    2    Equipment
    1    Exterior Lighting
    1    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Fuel/propulsion System
    1    Service Brakes, Air
    1    Vehicle Speed Control
    1    Visibility/wiper
    1

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

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    20 reports with mileage · 19 unknown

    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.

    • Suspension. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Structure. Review the 6 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 reports2 injury reports

    Electrical System complaints

    7 reports
    Clear category filter
    120,000 miles · Oct 30, 2005
    Electrical System

    ONE MORNING CAR STARTED NORMAL BUT RPMS WERE HI WHILE IN PARK AND EVER SINCE THE CAR DROVE ROUGH, STALLING AT LIGHTS, DYING WHEN ACCELERATION WAS PRESSES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - OBD READER CODE SAYS MASS FLOW AIR SENSOR FAILURE. REPLACED THE SENSOR, PROBLEM FIXED, AT A COST OF $500 FOR PART! *NM

    NHTSA ODI #10141243

    70,000 miles · Jan 19, 2005
    Electrical SystemInjury

    01 V 366 000/BATTERY: WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE TRUNK AND PLACED IT ON A CRATE TO CHECK THE WATER LEVEL, IT ALL OF A SUDDEN EXPLODED IN THE CONSUMERS FACE. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED ACID BURNS, CUTS AND BRUISES TO HIS FACE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WAS…

    Read full complaint

    01 V 366 000/BATTERY: WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE TRUNK AND PLACED IT ON A CRATE TO CHECK THE WATER LEVEL, IT ALL OF A SUDDEN EXPLODED IN THE CONSUMERS FACE. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED ACID BURNS, CUTS AND BRUISES TO HIS FACE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WAS NOT TOUCHING THE BATTERY AT THE TIME OF EXPLOSION. *TC

    NHTSA ODI #10105202

    56,000 miles · Jul 15, 2004
    Electrical System

    WHEN USING THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER, THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO SMOKE WITHOUT WARNING. NO FIRE REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

    NHTSA ODI #10082036

    Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2003
    Electrical System

    NAR 04/07/2003. * MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY STARTED SMOKING AND EMITTING FUMES FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. *JB

    NHTSA ODI #10015272

    Mileage unknown · May 26, 2001
    Electrical SystemInjury

    HAVE ANY OTHER MERCEDES BENZ EXPERIENCED BATTERY EXPLOSIONS? I KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE CASE. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #745959

    Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
    Electrical System

    THE TRUNK MOUNTED BATTERY WAS NOT PROPERLY VENTING CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, BATTERY ACID LEAKED OUT. NLM

    NHTSA ODI #557717

    Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
    Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

    THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 16 TIMES IN 24 MO. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO DISCUSS "LEMON LAW" ISSUES. VEHICLE BECOMING MORE UNSAFE AS TIME PROGRESSES.

    NHTSA ODI #730842

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.