TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND SUDDENLY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE THREE WHEEL ASSEMBLY BOLTS FRACTURED. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
2003 Mercedes Benz 240
Owners filed 27 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.
| Component | Reports | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wheels › Rim | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Power Train › Automatic Transmission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Suspension › Front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What owners reported
Newest filingsAFTER PURCHASING CAR IN 2007 USED WITH 60K MILES, TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, DRIIVNG ONLY 40K OVER 4 YEARS,THE VEHECLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
RIGHT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY FELL APART. WE HAD JUST GOT OFF OF I-90 WHEN I PULLED INTO MCDONALD'S AND THE FRONT WHEEL DISENGAGED AS THE AXLE COMPLETELY FELL APART. *TR
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 3RD TIME ON 1/27/09 FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE DEALER PERFORMED CODING TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - 67A GLITTLE (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 4TH TIME ON 7/8/09 FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MERCEDES-BENZ TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (TAC) IN GERMANY TO OBTAIN PASSWORD FOR SPECIAL CODING REGARDING FUEL GAUGE IN CLUSTER AND PROGRAM. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL ON-GOING AND TO-DATE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON 9/23/08 (1ST TIME OF PROBLEM REPORTED) FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THE AUXILIARY PUMP, MOUNTING PLATE, AND SEAL RING WERE REPLACED (SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH LIST OF ADDITIONAL DATES). *TR
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 2ND TIME ON 10/06/08 (2ND TIME PROBLEM REPORTED) FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE PROGRAMMING WAS CHANGED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE BROKE ON MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WHEN I SIMPLY WENT TO THE OPEN THE DOOR. I HAD TO SUPER GLUE THEM BACK ON SO I COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "COSMETIC" DAMAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES C240. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON A FREEWAY HE HEARD BANGING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THEN HE SAW SMOKE. AFTER HE PULLED OVER HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THE ENTIRE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL PUT N THE CLAIM AND THAT THEY WILL GIVE HIM A CALL BACK. WHEN THEY CALLED BACK THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN INSPECTING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE YEAR AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14649.
2003 C240 MERCEDES BENZ HAS A DEFAULT CAUSING MY AIRBAG AND CARHORN NOT TO WORK WAS TOLD THAT CLOCKSPRING PART IS NO GOOD WHICH THEIR CARS ARE KNOWN TO GO BAD I'M CURRENTLY DRIVING A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE HAVE NO AIRBAG TO PROTECT ME IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT I FEEL THAT MERCEDES SHOULD REPLACE THE PROB. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ 240. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR TURNING, THE NOISE WORSENED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND CONVERTER; HOWEVER, THE NOISE CONTINUED. LATER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. SHE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THESE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,011 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,673. UPDATED 062909 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT AND RIGHT WATER PUMP FAILED ON DIFFERENT OCCASSONS.FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR MIXING WITH THE ANTI-FREEZE WHICH WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. UPDATED 07/01/09.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C-240. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THE GEAR DISPLAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN THIRD GEAR, BUT IT FEELS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,300. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL HONOR WHATEVER THE DEALER DECLARES TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,500.
CAR HESITATES AT LOW SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING. *JB
I HAVE PURCHASED TWO VEHICLES FROM STADIUM AUTO, INC. @ 800 NORTH WATSON RD. ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76011 (817) 640-1400. ONE BEING A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRACK MOTOR 7 DAYS LATER (PER THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE TECH THAT SERVICED THE VEHICLE THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A BAD COLLISION. STADIUM AUTO APOLOGIZED AND SWITCHED ME OUT OF THE VOLKSWAGEN CONTRACT INTO A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ 240 (WHAT AN UPGRADE) BUT FOR THE SAME PRICE. THE MERCEDES HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE SHOP OF PARK PLACE MOTORCARS @ 6113 LEMON AVE. DALLAS, TEXAS 75209 214-526-8701 DUE TO MY SUSPENSIONS OF HOW THE CAR DRIVES AND SOUNDS. THE COMPLAINTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: JUNE 08, 2006 PROBLEM - LICENSE PLATE BULB BURNT OUT - REPLACED HORN INOPERABLE FUSE ELEMENT - REPLACED JUNE 22, 2006 PROBLEM - ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AT TIMES NO DETERMINATION LOUD TICKING NOISE STABILIZER BAR REPAIRED D R&R SWAY BAR LINKS. ALSO, VEHICLE COURTESY INSPECTION EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT EXCEPT THE SUSPENSION/STEERING. JULY 01, 2006 PROBLEM -THUMPING TYPE NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA INSTALLED PURGE CLIP/CLAMP. IN ADDITION, MOTOR CARS COURTESY INSPECTION PERFORMED. OCTOBER 03, 2006 ENGINE LIGHT ON/CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR. OCTOBER 15, 2006 ENGINE FAILURE NEED A SHORT BLOCK- REPLACED . THE WARRANTY COMPANY WAY CALLED AND IT WAS DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD PAY. NOW AFTER THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSE TO PAY FULL AMOUNT DUE ONLY WILL PAY . CAR WARRANTIES DIRECT, LLC STATES THAT THE MERCEDES DEALER
2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240'S BRAKES PULSATED WHILE STOPPING. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THE BRAKE DISCS HAD SURFACE PITTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB THE DISC COULD NOT BE MACHINED BECAUSE THEY LACKED HE METAL BACKING TO PERMIT RESURFACING. THE CONSUMER HAS THE DISC IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY INDICATED AN EMPTY TANK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO DASH PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK GAUGES. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH PANEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED IN REGARDS TO THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION BY THE DEALER.
PIN CHEN, MY FATHER, WAS MAKING A SLOW U-TURN ON A SMALL STREET ABOUT 11 FEET WIDE (VICKIE STREET IN CERRITOS) ON JULY 29, 2003. WHILE HE WAS SLOWLY MARKING A U-TURN, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO THE CURB. I CONTACTED THE MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANT AND A MECHANIC, CHRIS FROM HOUSE OF IMPORT BUNEA PARK, CAME TO SCENE AND CHANGED THE FLAT TIRE. PIN CHEN DESCRIBED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED TO CHRIS. CHRIS RECOMMENDED HIM TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER CHECKUP. PIN DROVE THE CAR BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP, MERCEDES BENZ OF LONG BEACH, THAT AFTERNOON FOR A CHECK UP. I WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON JULY 30, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN EDWARDS STATED THAT THERE IS NO FAULT FOUND IN THEIR DIAGNOSTIC CODE. THE TEST ($95) WAS PERFORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE MERCEDES COOPERATE REPRESENTATIVE. HE ALSO GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF THE DAMAGE, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY $2300. HE STATED THAT SINCE THERE IS NO FAULT FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, , MERCEDES BENZ OF LONG BEACH STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS INCIDENT. DUE TO ITS MALFUNCTION, WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. WE WOULD LIKE FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER.
POORLY DESIGNED TIRE/RIM. *JB
VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND NOTICED ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS A BROKEN WIRE? LUCKY DID NOT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. *AK
COMPLAINT FILED WITH MERCEDES BENZ. THOSE 17-INCH WHEELS GET BENT EASILY THIS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR FEW MONTHS AGO, I HAVE BEEN TOLD TWICE BY MERCEDEZ THAT I NEED TO CHANGE THOSE RIMS. HERE IS A COMPLAINT, WHICH I FILED WITH MERCEDES BENZ:*AK I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE BEEN TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE MERCEDES CAR WHICH I BOUGHT A FEW MONTHS AGO. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE MY TIRE RIMS TWICE AS THEY HAVE BEEN BENT. WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL ENQUIRIES, I AM TOLD THAT THESE CARS WHICH COME WITH THE 17 INCH RIMS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GET BENT EASILY. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CHANGE MY RIMS (ALL 4 WHEELS) AS AN OPTION TO AVOID MY PROBLEMS. IT IS EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING, THAT I WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY ADVISED OF THE ISSUES RELATING TO THESE 17-INCH RIMS WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR.*AK I HAVE DRIVEN A 10-YEAR OLD MAZDA PRIOR TO THIS, AND HAVE NEVER ONCE FACED THIS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROADS OF NJ. AND WHEN I ENQUIRED ABOUT AS TO WHY A $30 K MERCEDES, SHOULD GIVE ME SUCH PROBLEMS, I HAVE BEEN REDIRECTED BETWEEN THE SALES AND SERVICE MANAGERS AT THE MORRISTOWN MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $500 ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, TO CHANGE A DAMAGED RIM AND TIRE, AND NOW, I AM BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $500 TO CHANGE ANOTHER RIM AND REALIGN THE WHEELS. IF 17-INCH WHEELS ARE NOT DEEMED SUITABLE FOR THE ROADS OF NJ, THEN YOU SHOULD STOP SELLING THEM IN NJ. TO MY BEST KNOWLEDG
20 of 27 complaints, reproduced as filed.
Reading this record
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.