2000 Mercedes Benz C230

Routine

Owners filed 29 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Mercedes Benz C230 years to avoid. Which Mercedes Benz C230 years to avoid →

Most common 2000 Mercedes Benz C230 problems

9 of the 29 complaints (31%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System6
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission3
000
Suspension2
000
Power Train · transmission2
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel2
000
Air Bags › Side/Window · airbags2
001
Air Bags · airbags2
102
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · throttle and acceleration1
100
Suspension › Rear › Springs1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed May 10, 2016290,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C230 N/A. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRING COIL HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 290,000. UPDATED 06/30/16 *BF UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ *CN

Electrical System
Filed Apr 11, 201350,000 milesFL

I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO READ MY MILEAGE FOR MANY YEARS NOW. I HAVE A 2000 C230. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CLUSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED @ AROUND $1000.00. FOUND THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE SINCE THE CAR AT THE TIME WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. IT'S A SHAME MERCEDES BENZ DOESN'T RECALL THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 2012NJ

DRIVING TO WORK AT 3:45 A.M. (EASTERN TIME) MY CAR FELT LIKE IT HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD I PULLED OVER TO EXAMIN THE VEHICLE. I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING UNTIL I GOT TO WORK WHEN IT WAS MORE LIGHT OUT. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND THE COIL SPRING TOWER HAD RIPPED ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF???? I NOTICED RUST AND NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE LESS THE SHOCK THAT GO HIT BY THE SPRING. THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL OR SOME MANUFACTURE TSB. THE CAR IS SUPER CLEAN HAS 157,000 ON THE CLOCK. I INSPECTED THE OTHER WHEELS THEY APPEAR OK IT'S THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. *TR

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 19, 2011210,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES C230. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND INJURED THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 18, 201180,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE A CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST $800 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ODOMETER. UPDATED 10/07/11

Electrical System
Filed Mar 7, 201188,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES C230. THE CONTACT STATED THE ODOMETER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GAUGE CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 31, 2011CT

2000 C230K MERCEDES. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION AND EXPRESSES DISSATISFACTION WITH DEALER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS DISTORTED AND BENT. ALSO, THE LOW BEAM LIGHT WAS OUT ON THE DASHBOARD.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 15, 201080,663 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR STATE INSPECTION AND DID NOT PASS DUE TO THE ODOMETER BEING INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL THE FAILURE AND WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,663.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 15, 201075,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C230. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT LIQUID HAD SPILLED INTO THE GEAR SHIFT. SECONDS LATER, THE WINDOW CONTROL BUTTONS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE WINDOW SWITCH COMPONENT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 8, 2010127,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON ANY OTHER STREET MY MERCEDES BENZ C230 ENGAGES THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE BY ITSELF CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER SHARPLY TO THE LEFT FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS. MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OF THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEALER STATES THAT THE ISSUE IS A FAULTY YAW RATE SENSOR AND CHARGES OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR BUT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS TYPE OF MALFUNCTION TO SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE OR EVEN WORSE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS EVENT IN MORE DETAIL, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A OCCURENCE WITH MB OCCURING IN SERVAL VEHICHLES OVER THE YEARS. THIS MUST BE RECALL EM

Power Train
Filed Aug 24, 2009137,000 milesCA

2000 MERCEDES C230 DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED 4 TIMES ON THIS CAR, AND THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS COLLISION, AS DRIVERS BEHIND ARE NOT AWARE THAT I'M SLOWING DOWN/STOPPING. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WHEN THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED, IT WAS ALSO NOT POSSIBLE TO SWITCH THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. DURING THE LAST FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION WORKED OK. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Feb 18, 200935,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LID SPRINGS FAILED IN THE CLOSED TRUNK LID POSITION. IF THE TRUNK LID IS MANUALLY LIFTED, IT MAY NOT REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION AND COULD INJURE SOMEONE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HINGE SPRING BRACKET AND ASSOCIATED SPRINGS. FIVE YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $829.17. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V285000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK:LID:LOCK). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 23, 200970,000 milesPA

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PIXELS WENT OUT ON ODOMETER FOR MY CAR WHICH SEEMS TO HAPPEN WITH ALL MERCEDES. 1. PIXELS STARTED TO GO OUT OVER THE MONTHS. 2. 3 YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. 3. REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER $1,000. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Mar 6, 2007100,000 milesWI

TL -THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2000 MERCEDES C230. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. KB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Sep 1, 200666,138 milesVA

2000 KOMPRESSOR C230 WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC CHANGED THE SHIFTER. *KB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 27, 2006OK

FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS AND POWER WINDOWS AND THE LOCK SYSTEM THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE EIS SYSTEM OR THE KEY SYSTEM. THIS CAUSED A SAFETY HAZARD OF WHICH NO CONTROL OF ABOVE SYSTEMS. THE CAR WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP 7 DAYS TO THE TUNE OF OVER $800.00 . *JB

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Jun 28, 200532,216 milesCT

1.) NO ACCIDENT THOUGH CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN REAR COIL SPRING WAS DISCOVERED AS BROKEN WHEN MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR TO NEW COUNTRY MOTORS; HARTFORD, CT TO INVESTIGATE A VERY INTERMITTENT "THUNK" FROM THE REAR UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WHICH WAS INITALLY WAS THOUGHT TO BE SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK. 2.) WE WERE PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR ON A 800 MILE TRIP THAT EVENING AND HAD NO IDEA THAT THE NOISE INDICATED AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITION (SPRING COULD DISLODGE AND GO THROUGH TIRE RESULTING IN A MAJOR LOSS OF CONTROL). 3.) WE HAD TO RENT A CAR AT A COST OF $170 PLUS PAY FOR THE LABOR AND ALIGNMENT $632 DESPITE THE DEALER/MERCEDES PAYING FOR THE 2 REPLACEMENT REAR COIL SPRINGS. (APPROX $100 VALUE) I ASKED FOR THJE OLD PARTS, BUT THE MANAGER SAID THAT THEY WERE BEING SENT TO MERCEDES FOR EVALUATION AND THEN HE WOULD GIVE THEM TO ME.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 19, 200420,000 milesWV

THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN THE DEFECTIVE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH. THE GEAR BOX HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE TIMES. *JB

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Jul 26, 200436,200 milesSC

FUEL GAUGE SENSORS FAILURE. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Jan 27, 2004MI

ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. RINGS ON THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF RINGS. *AK THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY. THE SPEAKERS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CHANGE THE RADIO SOUND, CENTER CONSOLE DID NOT OPEN PROPERLY, VOLUME DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS A WIND NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE DRIVER WHILE IN MOTION, DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WAS EXTREMELY HOT, BLOWER MOTOR WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE FAN SPEED CONTROL SWITCH ILLUMINATION WAS INOPERATIVE AT TIMES. *SC *JB

Air Bags › Side/Window1 injured
Filed Jan 15, 200445,000 milesPA

THE DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE POWDER SUBSTANCE CAUSE RED SPOTS ON THE CONSUMER'S ARM AND FACE. THE INCIDENT WAS TWELVE MONTHS AGO BUT THE SPOTS ARE STILL PRESENT. *AK *NM

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Aug 3, 2003CA

SRS LIGHT CAME ON JUST ABOUT THE TIME A SERVICE SCHEDULE WAS DUE. MERCEDES DEALER INSPECTED THE ITEM AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS "HIGH PRESSURE" FROM DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AIRBAG. THEIR RESOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIRBAG TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN-OFF, BUT CANNOT STATE THAT AIRBAG WILL WORK PROPERLY OR CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Feb 26, 2003MI

THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST SYSTEM RATTLED, THERE WERE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WAS RESET BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND, THERE HAD BEEN A POSSIBILITY OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAL ON THE FUEL INJECTION AND AIR INJECTION VALVES, THE CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT WAS FAULTY, THE HEATED DRIVER SIDE SEAT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND THE MIDDLE CONSOLE DID NOT CLOSE. SCC *JB

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Sep 22, 2002OH

I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES WITH MY 2000 MODEL YEAR C230K MERCEDES. THESE HAVE MOSTLY EFFECTED THE CARS SAFETY SYSTEMS WHICH IS A MAJOR CONCERN TO ME. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS A COMPLETE DRAIN OF THE BATTERY CHARGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE SENSORS OF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS THEN AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED IN PARKING POSITION AFTER THE NEXT STOP AS A SAFETY FEATURE. MORE RECENTLY FAILURES IN THE SRS SYSTEM HAVE RESULTED IN MERCEDES REPLACING SECTIONS OF MY STEERING COLUMN AND THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS IN THE CAR. I HAVE JUST MOVED FROM THE USA TO BELGIUM FOR A 2-3 YEAR WORK ASSIGNMENT AND THE CAR IS NOW IN TRANSIT TO BELGIUM. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN THE USA. I WAS VERY UPSET WITH THE WAY MERCEDES HANDLED MY CASE AND I STARTED RESEARCHING ON THE WEB TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I BELIEVE THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THESE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEING POSTED BY OWNERS IN VARIOUS WEB SITES. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THEIR BATTERY EXPLODE. ANOTHER OWNER HAD A TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY TOTALLY MELT DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND MOST RECURRING ISSUES BEING POSTED ARE FAILURES OF THE SRS SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE MY CAR SUFFERED AND THESE FAILURES DO NOT SEEM TO BE LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC MODEL. THE MOST NUMEROUS FAILURE BEING REPORTED IS A FAILURE OF AN ELECTRIC CONTACT IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH IS PART OF THE SRS CIRCUI

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › DiscCrash
Filed Jan 2, 2002MD

THE CAR HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT. THE PADS ARE LOW BUT NOT DOWN TO THE INDICATORS. MEANWHILE, THE FRONT ROTORS ARE DOWN TO THE MINIMUM SPECIFICATION WITH NO WARNING. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL ROTORS WOULD GENERALLY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT BY 50,000 MILES ON CAR BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE AT MINIMUM SPEC WHICH IS A VERY UNREALISTIC AND UNSAFE CONDITION. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Dec 9, 2001FL

I WAS ROLLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ALMOST TO A STOP, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR ACTIVATED. I APPLIED BRAKES, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SKID MARKS ARE VISIBLE. THE CAR JUMPED A BLOCK WALL & WAS HEADING TOWARD A BUILDING. I MANAGED TO STEER INTO A CHAIN-LINK FENCE & ONTO A BLOCK WALL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE - $6,000 THE CAR WAS CHECKED BY FACTORY REP AFTER REPAIRS & NO CAUSE FOR A STICKING ACCELERATOR WAS FOUND. BUT IT DID STICK! *AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 17, 2001GA

FRONT END COLLISION INCLUDING VEHICLE BECOMING AIRBORNE OVER CURB RESULTING IN ALL TIRES BEING FLATTENED AND RIMS BENT. TOTAL FAILURE OF AIR BAGS WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. *AK *JB *****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER ARTEMIS*****772268.

Power Train
Filed Jun 22, 2000IL

CONSUMER FEELS THE DESIGN OF THE SPEEDOMETER IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OVER 50% OF THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT USEABLE AT LEGAL SPEEDS AND THE RESULT OF THE COMPACTED CALIBRATION IS THAT THE SPPEDOMETER IS NOT READILY READABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS RESULTING IN A TENDANCY TO ACCIDENTALLY SPEED. NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 4, 2000CT

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD , STICKS IN GEAR AND SHIFTS HARD. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *AK

All 29 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2007212540Above average
2006116500Routine
200585460Routine
200431340Routine
200351330Routine
200254240Routine
20014010Routine
2000 — this page29000Routine
199929010Routine
199839000Routine
19977000Routine

Compare every C230 year →

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.