NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
20 reports168,000 miles · Mar 29, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
I OWN A A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR. IT HAS HAPPEN SUDDENLY OUT OF NOWHERE AFTER MY OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES OF SHOWING UP IN MY MALFUNCTION PANEL, IN WHICH I HAVE A COMPLAINT. THE SRS THEN THE ESP NOW. THEN THE FUEL SMELL. I SEEM TO NOTICE IT MORE W…
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I OWN A A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR. IT HAS HAPPEN SUDDENLY OUT OF NOWHERE AFTER MY OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES OF SHOWING UP IN MY MALFUNCTION PANEL, IN WHICH I HAVE A COMPLAINT. THE SRS THEN THE ESP NOW. THEN THE FUEL SMELL. I SEEM TO NOTICE IT MORE WHEN I WOULD IDLE HEATING UP THE CAR IN THE WINTER, THEN WHEN I JUST TURN IT ON AND DRIVE. I NOTICE IT AT STOP LIGHTS AS WELL. IF THERE IS ANY RECALL ON ANY MERCEDES THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS OR ANY ISSUE, IT SHOULD FALL ACROSS THE LINE OF OTHER YEARS AND MODELS AS WELL. SAFETY IS THE ISSUE AND QUALITY IS WHY WE CHOOSE A CERTAIN MAKE.
NHTSA ODI #10852305
168,000 miles · Mar 29, 2016
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System
TAKATA RECALL. CARS WITH THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE 7TH COMPLAINER.CASE #10574681. SRS LIGHT CAME ON WITH 1 MALFUNCTION. THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO THE WORKSHOP TO HAVE THE SCAN CODES CHECKED. THE CODE READER SAID THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE AIRBAGS. THE MECHANIC…
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TAKATA RECALL. CARS WITH THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE 7TH COMPLAINER.CASE #10574681. SRS LIGHT CAME ON WITH 1 MALFUNCTION. THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO THE WORKSHOP TO HAVE THE SCAN CODES CHECKED. THE CODE READER SAID THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE AIRBAGS. THE MECHANIC THINKS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN AIRBAG COULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. I JUST READ THAT MERCEDES INCLUDED 814000 VEHICLES IN THE RECALL. MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. I THINK THAT THIS CAR MIGHT NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP OUT AND HAVE AN INVESTIGATION. THANKS IN ADVANCE. (THIS I COPIES AND PASTED FROM A RECENT CONSUMER) I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT CHECKING ON MY MERCEDES UNTIL I GOT A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW 2 DAYS AGO AND THOUGHT WOW. I NEED TO CHECK NO THE BENZ. I HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. FIRST THE SRS LIGHT. CODES ARE READING SAFETY RESTRAINT AND WONT TURN OFF. THEN I HAVE MY ESP LIGHT THAT CAME ON AND WHEN READ ON THE COMPUTER, IT HAD READ THAT THIS WAS ALSO SHOWING UP AS A LONG TERM PROBLEM IN THE HISTORY OF THIS CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM. I CAN PULL EVERY PAPER WORK EVER DONE TO THIS CAR. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND MY CLOSE FRIEND IS THE FIRST OWNER, WHO BOUGHT IT AFTER LAW SCHOOL. I HAVE OWNED IT 5 YEARS. THIS MADE NERVOUS, SO I BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR. A BMW AND KEPT THIS ONE, BECAUSE SHE IS A GREAT CAR. HOWEVER, MERCEDES OR SOMEONE BETTER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE RECALLED IN A BIASED MANNER AND IN SAFETY AND DEATH POSSIBILITIES, MERCEDES NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS.MY ENTIRE FAMILY OWNS AND BUYS THESE AND NEVER CHANGED, BECAUSE ALL OF OUR GERMAN MADE AND SHIPPED CARS HAVE BEEN THE BEST SINCE 1980 OF OUR 1ST ONE WE PURCHASED. I BOUGHT A BMW. NEVER AGAIN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ASAP, THIS IS DANGEROUS. I OWN 2 DANGEROUS EXPENSIVE CARDS.
NHTSA ODI #10852304
126,000 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System
TAKATA RECALL. CARS WITH THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE 7TH COMPLAINER.CASE #10574681. SRS LIGHT CAME ON WITH 1 MALFUNCTION. THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO THE WORKSHOP TO HAVE THE SCAN CODES CHECKED. THE CODE READER SAID THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE AIRBAGS. THE M…
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TAKATA RECALL. CARS WITH THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE 7TH COMPLAINER.CASE #10574681. SRS LIGHT CAME ON WITH 1 MALFUNCTION. THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO THE WORKSHOP TO HAVE THE SCAN CODES CHECKED. THE CODE READER SAID THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE AIRBAGS. THE MECHANIC THINKS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN AIRBAG COULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. I JUST READ THAT MERCEDES INCLUDED 814000 VEHICLES IN THE RECALL. MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. I THINK THAT THIS CAR MIGHT NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP OUT AND HAVE AN INVESTIGATION. THANKS IN ADVANCE.
NHTSA ODI #10837624
103,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10765214
102,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #10723410
100,000 miles · Jun 1, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE REAR CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE REAR CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10722566
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I DON'T KNOW THAT MY CAR WAS A RECALL AND WHEN I FIRST GOT IT MY GAS GAUGE WHEN OUT AND STUFF START TO GO BAD. THE CAR PLACE I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM KNEW ALL THIS STUFF AND DON'T INFORM ME AT ALL. I KNOW I BOUGHT A USED CAR BUT I WAS HOPE THEY WILL LET ME KNOW . NOW THAT MY WARRANTY UP THEY IS GIVING THE RUN ALWAYS . WHAT SHOUL…
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I DON'T KNOW THAT MY CAR WAS A RECALL AND WHEN I FIRST GOT IT MY GAS GAUGE WHEN OUT AND STUFF START TO GO BAD. THE CAR PLACE I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM KNEW ALL THIS STUFF AND DON'T INFORM ME AT ALL. I KNOW I BOUGHT A USED CAR BUT I WAS HOPE THEY WILL LET ME KNOW . NOW THAT MY WARRANTY UP THEY IS GIVING THE RUN ALWAYS . WHAT SHOULD ABOUT IT . SO WHEN I GO PUT GAS IN MY CAR I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IT IS IN MY CAR BECAUSE MY GAS READ AND METER IN THE CAR DON'T WORK AND ALSO HAVE A SHORT IN IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10702064
75,263 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Engine
DEC 2013, WITH "OUR NEW" 2003 MB C240 TRAVELING 55MPH ON CRUISE, I ACCELERATED, "POOF". MY BROTHER DRIVING BEHIND US DISAPPEARED IN A CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE FROM MY EXHAUST. HE HAD TO PULL OVER, HE COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. THE "CLOUD OF SMOKE" APPEARS EVERY TIME I USE THE CC OR MAINTAIN A CONSTANT SPEED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. …
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DEC 2013, WITH "OUR NEW" 2003 MB C240 TRAVELING 55MPH ON CRUISE, I ACCELERATED, "POOF". MY BROTHER DRIVING BEHIND US DISAPPEARED IN A CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE FROM MY EXHAUST. HE HAD TO PULL OVER, HE COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. THE "CLOUD OF SMOKE" APPEARS EVERY TIME I USE THE CC OR MAINTAIN A CONSTANT SPEED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. ON A RECENT TRIP OF 2000 MILES, IT CONSUMED 7 QTS OF OIL. WITH ONLY 75K MILES, ITS HARDLY BROKEN IN. THE PROBLEM IS "SLUDGE" BUILT UP INSIDE THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF A "POOR" ENGINE DESIGN. THERE IS/WAS AN "ACTIVE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT": IN 2003, BY "O'KEEFE", TO REPAIR/REPLACE ALL 1998-2001 MB MOTORS WITH THIS SLUDGE BUILD UP. DAIMLER CHRYSLER "DID NOT" FIX THE DEFECTS IN THE ENGINE DESIGN, THEY SIMPLY SHIFTED THE "PROBLEM" TO THE OWNERS BY TELLING THEM WHICH BRAND OF OIL TO USE. IF YOU "GOOGLE" MERCEDES WITH "SLUDGE/CONSUMPTION" OR SMOKING, YOU WILL FIND SCORES OF MB VEHICLES NEWER THAN 2001 THAT STILL EXHIBIT THESE SAME SMOKING/ SLUDGE PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH ALL OF THE NEW MB MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. SO THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER "FIXED". IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED! THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE SLUDGE BUILT UP IN THE MOTOR (INSIDE VALVE COVERS AND OIL DRAIN GALLERY'S). IT DOES NOT ALLOW OIL PUMPED UP TO LUBRICATE THE ROCKERS/ CAMS TO RETURN BACK DOWN TO THE "SUMP". THIS "EXCESS/TRAPPED" OIL HAS NO WHERE TO GO, IT SLOWLY SEEPS INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE IT COLLECTS, WHEN THE VACUUM IS RIGHT, GETS SUCKED INTO INTAKE RUNNERS, SENT TO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, IGNITED AND EXPELLED AS EXHAUST, OVERWHELMING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. THERE ARE 2 PROBLEMS: 1) RIDICULOUS AMOUNTS OF UNWANTED ILLEGAL/EMISSIONS 2) THE IMMEDIATE "PERIL" OF ANYONE TRAVELING BEHIND YOU BEING INSTANTLY "BLINDED" AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ALL MB VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR MOTORS SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY TESTED & REPAIRED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641363
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior LightingFire
I WAS ALWAYS GETTING AN ERROR MESSAGE TELLING ME MY REAR LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY TRUNK, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AND THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. CAR WOULD NOT START, TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. CAR WAS TOTALED BY DEALER AND INSURANCE COMPANY. …
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I WAS ALWAYS GETTING AN ERROR MESSAGE TELLING ME MY REAR LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY TRUNK, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AND THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. CAR WOULD NOT START, TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. CAR WAS TOTALED BY DEALER AND INSURANCE COMPANY. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE FOR NEW C CLASS CARS, BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT I EXPERIENCED, I BELIEVE OLDER MODELS MAY ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586324
69,500 miles · Mar 25, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts
CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED DEALERSHIP BOUGHT MERCEDES BENZ 2003 C-240 4-MATIC. PURCHASED WITH 41K MILES IN 2008. APPROXIMATELY 6/2013 THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON STATING 1 MALFUNCTION ON THE CLUSTER RELATING TO RESTRAINT SYSTEM. ADVISED OF NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS DEFECT IN MODEL YEAR 2003. DUE TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION THE ISSUE HAS YET TO HAVE …
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CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED DEALERSHIP BOUGHT MERCEDES BENZ 2003 C-240 4-MATIC. PURCHASED WITH 41K MILES IN 2008. APPROXIMATELY 6/2013 THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON STATING 1 MALFUNCTION ON THE CLUSTER RELATING TO RESTRAINT SYSTEM. ADVISED OF NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS DEFECT IN MODEL YEAR 2003. DUE TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION THE ISSUE HAS YET TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSTICS. THE LIGHT AND CLUSTER NOTIFICATION REMAINS TO DATE AT 76K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574681
Official recalls
3Nov 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.
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.
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 ↗