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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.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 39

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
199739
199829
199929
20004
2001
Compare all C230 years →

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

What owners reported most

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

What owners actually said

39 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2001
Fuel System, Other

GAS GUAGE DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECT LEVELS OF FUEL. GUAGE INDICATES VEHICLE EMPTY WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY FULL. DEALER REPLACED SENSORS, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8001183

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Tires

TA TOURING, P205/60R15, REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT WITH 22000 MILES ON A 1998, MERCEDES BENZ, C230. AT 45 MPH DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED A SPLIT WHERE SIDEWALL MEETS TREAD, ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. *AK BF GOODRICH T/A TIRES, 90H MS, DOT BEUND311209, FAULTY TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #889884

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

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Fuel System, OtherStructureVisibility

GAS GAUGE ONLY READS EMPTY. DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR--ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. LEFT DOOR WINDOW WEATHERSTRIP LOOSE.

NHTSA ODI #609605

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Power Train

ODOMETER.

NHTSA ODI #609546

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. YH

NHTSA ODI #608602

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Visibility

REAR LEFT WINDOW MALFUNCTION. YH

NHTSA ODI #607409

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.