← New search

2003 Mercedes Benz C230

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mercedes Benz C230 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all C230 years →

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 11 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. 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 reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
187,000 miles · May 14, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

MY PANORAMIC ROOF IS MALFUCTIONING AND IS SUCK SLIGHTLY OPEN WONT CLOSE OR BUDGE AND NOW I'M HAVING MULITPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES MY LIGHTS ARE FLICKERING CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOESNT WORK MY AC WORKS SOMETIMES BUT THEN IT DOESN'T AND OTHER THINGS AS WELL. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE PANORAMIC ROOFS WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL BUT MY VIN…

Read full complaint

MY PANORAMIC ROOF IS MALFUCTIONING AND IS SUCK SLIGHTLY OPEN WONT CLOSE OR BUDGE AND NOW I'M HAVING MULITPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES MY LIGHTS ARE FLICKERING CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOESNT WORK MY AC WORKS SOMETIMES BUT THEN IT DOESN'T AND OTHER THINGS AS WELL. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE PANORAMIC ROOFS WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL BUT MY VIN NUMBER ISNT SHOWING UP..

NHTSA ODI #11416537

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE LCD DISPLAY FOR SAFETY ITEMS SUCH AS CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL FADES OUT AND CAN NOT BE READ. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL ON THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR SHOPS DO NOT WANT TO SERVICE AS THEY CAN NOT CHECK OIL LEVEL. NO DIP STICK ON THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10825314

Official recalls

3

24V874000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Nov 19, 2024

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 panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

22V954000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Dec 23, 2022

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 panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

19V918000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Dec 20, 2019

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 detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

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.