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2003 Mercedes Benz C320

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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

Limited mileage data: 15 of 22 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

22 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2026
Electrical SystemFire

The secondary instrument fuse block located on the driver's side of the dashboard erupted in flame while the vehicle was being driven, endangering its occupant, causing significant damage to its interior, and resulting in a local law enforcement "traffic hazard" determination.

NHTSA ODI #11714189

124,000 miles · Aug 6, 2024
Air BagsElectrical System

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that the sunroof had failed to open, and the sunshade cover failed to close, causing the sunrays to penetrate the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that t…

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The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that the sunroof had failed to open, and the sunshade cover failed to close, causing the sunrays to penetrate the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The SRS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with front driver's side air bag failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #11606841

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2023
Visibility

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility) however, the contact was advised by the dealer that he needed to open and close the sunroof to perform the recall however, if the motor failed the contact would pay for the repair of the motor. The conta…

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The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility) however, the contact was advised by the dealer that he needed to open and close the sunroof to perform the recall however, if the motor failed the contact would pay for the repair of the motor. The contact called the manufacturer and was provided with the same information. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11532020

105,000 miles · Feb 23, 2023
Visibility

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that the moonroof made an abnormal sound and failed to open properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the moonroof was permanently sealed. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility) and the dealer confirmed that the VIN was included…

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The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that the moonroof made an abnormal sound and failed to open properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the moonroof was permanently sealed. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility) and the dealer confirmed that the VIN was included in the recall; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure was unrelated to the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #11508730

36,000 miles · Mar 12, 2020
EnginePower Train

"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL" LEVEL WARNING SIGN WAS ON. APPARENTLY, THERE IS LEAKING OF COOLANT SOME WHERE. IT WAS AT THE WATER PUMP, WHICH WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 20, 2019. IT HAPPENS AGAIN NOW, ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER.

NHTSA ODI #11317690

170,000 miles · Aug 31, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion SystemCrashInjury

MERCEDES BENZ POSSIBLE RECALL / EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR FUEL SYSTEM... INVOLVING A C CLASS 2003 WITH SAME ENGINE AS THE E CLASS. THE CAR FUEL SYSTEM IS TOTALLY MESSED UP, WILL ONLY FILL A HALF TANK AND RUNS OUT OF GAS BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. CAR WILL NOT FILL. ONLY ONE TANK TAKING AND SENDING FUEL…

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MERCEDES BENZ POSSIBLE RECALL / EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR FUEL SYSTEM... INVOLVING A C CLASS 2003 WITH SAME ENGINE AS THE E CLASS. THE CAR FUEL SYSTEM IS TOTALLY MESSED UP, WILL ONLY FILL A HALF TANK AND RUNS OUT OF GAS BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. CAR WILL NOT FILL. ONLY ONE TANK TAKING AND SENDING FUEL APPARENTLY. DASH IS MESSED UP, LIGHTS OUT, FUEL SYSTEM TOTALLY MESSED UP. I ALMOST WENT OFF A CLIFF IN THE CAR, SLID BACKWARDS ON A HILLSIDE WHEN THE CAR RAN OUT OF FUEL UNEXPECTEDLY. NO GAS, NO POWER, MY CAR WENT BACKWARDS, BRAKES NOT WORKING, I WENT INTO A DITCH AND ALMOST INTO A STEEP HILLSIDE, VERY SCARY. A CAR BRANCH SAVED MY DEMISE, HOLDING THE TOP OF THE CAR AND KEPT ME FROM GOING DOWN INTO A RAVENE. DENT ON THE BACK ROOF IS STILL THERE. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEMS ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM IS APPARENTLY PROLIFIC IN CARS THIS YEAR AND TYPE. SAME FUEL SYSTEM ON A C320 AS AN E320 SAME YEAR. SAME ENGINE TOO. MY MECHANICS ARE BAFFLED, NO ONE CAN FIX IT, MERCEDES SHOPS DON'T WANT TO HELP, NO ONE CAN HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11020951

76,000 miles · Feb 26, 2016
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS LOOSE AND THE AIRBAG SRS LIGHT CAME ON. THE SRS MESSAGE SAID URGENT GO TO MARKET PLACE.

NHTSA ODI #10838536

70,000 miles · Feb 19, 2016
Service Brakes

BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, HER FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE BRAKING, RED LIGHT AND WARN BUZZER WENT OFF... NO BRAKES. LUCKILY AND THANK GOD, SHE AVOIDED BEING T-BONED IN THE INTERSECTION AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO A PARKING LOT AND DOWN SHIFT TO USE E-BRAKE. TH…

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BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, HER FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE BRAKING, RED LIGHT AND WARN BUZZER WENT OFF... NO BRAKES. LUCKILY AND THANK GOD, SHE AVOIDED BEING T-BONED IN THE INTERSECTION AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO A PARKING LOT AND DOWN SHIFT TO USE E-BRAKE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 70,000MILES ON IT. THE REPAIR OF THE SYSTEM SOUNDS LIKE IT IS $2500+. NOT HAPPY AT ALL SINCE MB KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE A REPLACEMENT BRAKING SYSTEM FOR IT OR REPAIR. THIS IS NOT JUST A OLD MASTER CYLINDER GOING OUT. THIS IS A WHOLE SENSOR UNIT FAILING

NHTSA ODI #10837074

50,000 miles · Oct 16, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10645084

174,254 miles · May 8, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPPLEMENT RESTRAINT SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,254.

NHTSA ODI #10587332

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.