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2004 Mercedes Benz C230

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Mercedes Benz C230 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

22 reports with mileage · 9 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

7 reports
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87,000 miles · Oct 9, 2020
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHTS WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED HE REPLACED THE BULB HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHTS WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED HE REPLACED THE BULB HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #11363606

127,000 miles · Oct 19, 2017
Electrical SystemFire

I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-95 AT 60 MPH AND TURNED ON MY AIR CONDITIONER WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE VENTS. I SHUT OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. I VISITED WITH MY PARENTS AND AS I STARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS IDLING, I TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE VENTS AGAIN AND FLAMES APPE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE I-95 AT 60 MPH AND TURNED ON MY AIR CONDITIONER WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF THE VENTS. I SHUT OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. I VISITED WITH MY PARENTS AND AS I STARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS IDLING, I TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE VENTS AGAIN AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND PULLED THE FUSE BOX COVER OFF AND FOUND THE FUSE BOX WAS WHERE THE FIRE HAD STARTED. THERE WAS A PAPER WITH FUSE SIZES AND LOCATIONS PUT (BY MERCEDES) IN BETWEEN THE FUSES WHICH HAD BEEN SINGED, AND PART OF THE FUSE BOX AND SOME OF THE FUSES HAD MELTED. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND A COMPLAINT ON A MERCEDES FORUM WHERE THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ANOTHER 2004 MERCEDES C230.

NHTSA ODI #11034475

124,000 miles · Apr 15, 2013
Electrical SystemStructureFire

NUMEROUS THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. THE CAR HAS 124,000 RIGHT NOW. THIS IS THE BIGGEST LEMON EVER!! -CAR CAUGHT FIRE AT MERCEDES - A/C BLOWER SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FUSE BOX TO CATCH FIRE AND BURNT UNDERNEATH DASH. THEY INFORMED ME THE TECHNICIAN RECEIVED MINOR BURNS WHEN TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. -NEW ALARM SIREN (IT WOULD GO O…

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NUMEROUS THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. THE CAR HAS 124,000 RIGHT NOW. THIS IS THE BIGGEST LEMON EVER!! -CAR CAUGHT FIRE AT MERCEDES - A/C BLOWER SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FUSE BOX TO CATCH FIRE AND BURNT UNDERNEATH DASH. THEY INFORMED ME THE TECHNICIAN RECEIVED MINOR BURNS WHEN TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. -NEW ALARM SIREN (IT WOULD GO OFF RANDOMLY) -2 ALTERNATORS (VOLTAGE REGULATOR GOES BAD) -NEW DOOR LOCK ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS -NEW RF SENSOR ON DRIVER DOOR FOR THE KEY-LESS REMOTE -2 NEW THERMOSTATS -1 DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE -2 PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES AND NOW BROKE FOR 3RD TIME -REAR GLASS WAS REPLACED BECAUSE WHEN REAR DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON IT WOULD MAKE FM RADIO STATIC. IT DOES IT AGAIN NOW. -FRONT FOG LIGHT GLASS CRACKED IN HALF - BOUGHT NEW ONE AND DID IT AGAIN -CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON NOW AND O2 SENSOR BAD. -REAR SCREEN SHADE IT STUCK UP. WONT GO DOWN. -KEY-LESS REMOTE ANTENNA IS BROKE -3 BRAKE SYSTEMS IN FRONT -1 BRAKE IN REAR -SUNROOF WORKS BUT THE ARM THAT POPS UP BROKE -MIDDLE CONSOLE BUTTONS GET STUCK SOMETIMES. MB HAS TO POP THEM BACK OUT. -STRUT STABILIZER BAR BROKE -TRANSMISSION MOUNT AND FRONT ARM BUSHINGS WERE ALL REPLACED. -LCD ON DASH HAS A BLUR LINE GOING THROUGH IT. -BOSE SPEAKERS WERE REPLACED AND NOW ALL BUSTED AGAIN. EXTERIOR - VERY SEXY CAR AND THAT'S ALL IT HAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508345

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN ACKERMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH HIS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10444168

99,000 miles · Apr 26, 2010
Electrical System

THE CAM SENSORS ON THE MERCEDES M271 ENGINE LEAK OIL WHICH SPREADS TO OTHER COMPONENTS VIA THE WIRE HARNESSES CONNECTED TO CAM SENSORS. OIL CONTAMINATION WILL DAMAGE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS (NAMELY THE ECU AND EXHAUST OXYGEN SENSORS) IF THE CAM SENSORS AND WIRE HARNESSES ARE NOT REPLACED. A NEW CAM SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS HA…

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THE CAM SENSORS ON THE MERCEDES M271 ENGINE LEAK OIL WHICH SPREADS TO OTHER COMPONENTS VIA THE WIRE HARNESSES CONNECTED TO CAM SENSORS. OIL CONTAMINATION WILL DAMAGE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS (NAMELY THE ECU AND EXHAUST OXYGEN SENSORS) IF THE CAM SENSORS AND WIRE HARNESSES ARE NOT REPLACED. A NEW CAM SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN DESIGNED AS THE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE DEFECTIVE CAM SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS WERE USED ON THE PREVIOUS ENGINE DESIGN (M111). THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR M111 ENGINE BUT NOT THE M271 ENGINE. MERCEDES REFUSES TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE DESIGN ON THE M271 ENGINE CAUSING OWNERS TO PAY FOR THE $900 PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. WITHOUT THIS REPAIR THE ECU (PART COST $2000) AND OXYGEN SENSORS (QTY 2 @ $250 EA) WILL BE EVENTUALLY DAMAGED AND WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327627

80,000 miles · Mar 30, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THIS IS A 2004 MERCEDES C230. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I WENT TO DEALER WITHIN 15 MILES OF WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THAT IT HAD DRIPPED OVER THE WIRING HARNESS. IT WOULD COST $3,500 TO REPAIR. I HAVE NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR. THEY SAID THE THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF WHERE …

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THIS IS A 2004 MERCEDES C230. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I WENT TO DEALER WITHIN 15 MILES OF WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THAT IT HAD DRIPPED OVER THE WIRING HARNESS. IT WOULD COST $3,500 TO REPAIR. I HAVE NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR. THEY SAID THE THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF WHERE THE O2 SENSOR IS LOCATED. THIS IS A DEFECT AND DESIGN FLOW CREATED BY MB. THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL TO PROTECT THE WIRING HARNESS

NHTSA ODI #10322904

48,000 miles · Aug 19, 2008
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE ALARM SOUNDS CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE KEY WILL NOT DISABLE IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES BUT I SEEM TO FIND LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET BLOGS REGARDING OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IS OUR RIGHT AS A C…

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I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE ALARM SOUNDS CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE KEY WILL NOT DISABLE IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES BUT I SEEM TO FIND LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET BLOGS REGARDING OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IS OUR RIGHT AS A CONSUMER? SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL TO GET THIS CORRECTED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238948

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.