U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz C320 engine problems

14 complaint narratives mention engine terms.

Key facts

187 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 to 2007 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 131 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Engine operation evidence

14 of 187 complaints match this topic (7.5%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 10012433 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 55 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012433 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10092634 · 2004-09-17 (September 17, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092634 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10247535 · 2008-11-03 (November 3, 2008)

WHILE OPERATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STALLS SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE OF A 'CRANK POSITION SENSOR'. THE SENSOR IS A MAGNET WHICH, WHEN IT DETERMINES THE CRANKSHAFT IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, ABRUPTLY SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL SYSTEM. SUBSEQUENT MODELS OF THIS MANUFACTURERS PRODUCT DO NOT ALLOW THE SENSOR TO DO THIS, BUT RATHER INDICATE A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH A WARNING LIGHT. THIS SENSOR SYSTEM IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT INJURY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 66,570 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247535 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10253394 · 2008-12-31 (December 31, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERA…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,079 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253394 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10313066 · 2010-02-23 (February 23, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES C320. WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED, LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. HE WAS ABLE TO DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE USING A LOT OF FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A MERCEDES DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND THE COMPUTER SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE FAULTY SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,151 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,488. UPDATED 3/30/10 *CN THE FIRST TIME …

Owner-reported narrative. 31,151 miles reported. Look up ODI 10313066 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

187 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

70.1%Usable mileage131 / 187 records

96.8%Valid incident date181 / 187 records

100.0%Valid filing date187 / 187 records

96.8%Ordered incident and filing dates181 / 187 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Electrical System	2336.5% ODI 10019133 · 29,457 mi GAS FUMES SO OVER POWERING THAT YOU HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN AFTER YOU FILLED UP THE CAR WITH GASOLINE. GAS TANK HAD A LEAK AND ALL THE DASH WAS REPLACED AT DEALER. HOWEVER THERE ARE SHORTAGES IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSE THE VISOR LAMPS TO NOT WORK AND THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS AND RELAYS IN THE WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN THE HEAT IS ON THE GAS FUMES AND MONOXIDE IS STRONG AGAIN . I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED WHEN THEY FIXED IT BUT IT STILL TENDS TO ACT UP. *NLM Look up ODI 10019133 at NHTSA ↗	2942.6% ODI 10091480 THE C ONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE . THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STARTED UP THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UP. THE CONSUMEER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT … Look up ODI 10091480 at NHTSA ↗	522.7% ODI 10239042 DURING THE FIVE YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR IT HAS HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS ALL FUNCTION OF THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. SEAT CONTROLS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY STILL OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THERE IS A SHORT SOMEPLACE, AND THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING THEY CAN'T FIX IT IF THEY CAN'T SEE IT. *TR Look up ODI 10239042 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 10275711 · 60,000 mi I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK … Look up ODI 10275711 at NHTSA ↗	213.3% ODI 10993929 · 136,000 mi I OWN A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 FOR THREE YEARS AND ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SOFTWARE, THE ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOCKED, NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT, A CITY STREETS OR A HIGHWAY. MANY PHONE CALLS TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THE HEADQUARTER, THEY DIDN'T TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR!!! MERCEDES-BENZ WANTS PEOPLE EITHER FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE! DIE NATURALLY OR SELL THEIR CARS. Look up ODI 10993929 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seats	1727.0% ODI 10237591 IF THE FRONT SEATS ARE PLUGGED IN THE BATTERY DRAINS. ONCE I UNPLUG NO MORE PROBLEM, BUT AS LONG AS THEY ARE PLUGGED IN AND I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DRAINED. *TR Look up ODI 10237591 at NHTSA ↗	2130.9% ODI 10181428 · 45,800 mi BOTH INTERNAL SEAT CONTROL MODULES HAVE ELECTRICAL FAULT. TEST CODE 8E3L-K8NNQ. FOUND 1.66 AMP OF DRAW (OUT OF SPEC. RANGE) AMP DROP WHEN DISCONNECTED: PASSENGER SIDE TO: .1114 AND DRIVER SIDE: 0.59 MILLIAMPS. 1/13 ALARM SOUNDS AND BATTERY DIES. TECHNICIAN REPLACES BATTERY, BUT WARNS LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN-MANY CASES. 1/16 SAME PROBLEM. CAR TAKEN TO OTHER M-B DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS ABOVE. REPLACED BOTH MODULES 1/25. DEALERSHIP HAD TROUBLE GETTING PART DUE TO UNUSUALLY HIGH VOLUME FOR THIS REPAIR. 18 MODULES GONE OR ON RESERVE IN ONE WEEK IN … Look up ODI 10181428 at NHTSA ↗	14.5% ODI 10321554 · 80,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C320. WHEN DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH AND HIGHER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD "METAL TO METAL" NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. FOUR YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN WHO REPLACED THE BUSHINGS FOR THE SECOND TIME AS WELL AS THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT FAILED AND WHEN TAKEN… Look up ODI 10321554 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	213.3% ODI 10288850 · 37,000 mi MY DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER CAUGHT FIRE YESTERDAY WHILE IN USE. IT STARTED WITH SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACKREST PORTION OF THE SEAT AFTER SWITCHING THE HEATER ON, AND THEN BEGAN TO FLAME. I TURNED OFF THE WARMER SWITCH AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. I NOW HAVE A HOLE IN THE BACKREST WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. *TR Look up ODI 10288850 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	23.2% ODI 10126338 · 53,867 mi DT: CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS FROM AIR BAGS TO BRAKES TO ALTERNATOR. OWNER DOESNT THINK HE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS, ACTUALLY THE MAIN CONCERN HE HAS IS ABOUT THE WARRANTY. UPON PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN THE BRAKES AND ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AS WELL. THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AFTER THE OWNER INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. *JB Look up ODI 10126338 at NHTSA ↗	22.9% ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗	418.2% ODI 10587332 · 174,254 mi 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. Look up ODI 10587332 at NHTSA ↗	213.3% ODI 10735544 · 69,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE, BACK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER INJURIES. WHILE WAITING ON POLICE AND MEDICAL SERVICE TO ARRIVE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS STILL FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. ..UPDATED 08/26/1… Look up ODI 10735544 at NHTSA ↗	213.3% ODI 10872261 RECALL Look up ODI 10872261 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11043878 TAKATA RECALL EVERY TIME I RECEIVE A NOTICE TO CALL THE DEALER THEY RESPOND THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART Look up ODI 11043878 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting	57.9% ODI 10458988 · 120,000 mi THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE FRONT RIGHT HAS BEEN OUT SINCE ABOUT FEBRUARY. THE DEALER PARTS GUY SAID QUOTE: "CONFIRMED GROUNDING PROBLEM (A DESIGN FLAW); GROUND WIRE IS TOO LOW A GAUGE FOR MAX CURRENT THROUGH HEADLIGHT ASSY. AND OVERLOAD CAUSES SHORT (MELTDOWN - LITERALLY)". I THINK THAT WHEN A MBZ DEALERS OWN PEOPLE STATE THIS FACT, AND WHEN YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND FIND THE SAME QUOTES FROM INDIVIDUALS, OVER AGAIN, THEN THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS A SAD DAY WHEN A HUGE AUTO MANUFACTURER IS ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH AN O… Look up ODI 10458988 at NHTSA ↗	45.9% ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗	29.1% ODI 10241799 I PURCHASE MY 2003 MERCEDES FROM CARMAX IN 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAD 45,000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT. FROM THE TIME I PURCHASE THIS CAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE SUNROOF MOTOR, REPLACE THE SHOCKS, REPLACE THE TRUCK LOCK, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, AND I HAD SOME TRANSMISSION WORK DONE. MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS HAVING TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS EVERY 6 MONTHS. I SUSPECT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT COMPLETELY PROVE IT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. WITH 1 YEAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS 3 TIMES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT LOW BEAM BULBS AND THE BRAK… Look up ODI 10241799 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	213.3% ODI 10632938 · 87,467 mi THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS. ALMOST EVERY AUTO MANUFACTURE IS MAKING THERE HEADLIGHTS OUT OF MATERIAL THAT CLOUDS UP AFTER A COUPLE OF YEAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT HAS CONTINUED FOR MORE YEARS THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. WHEN THE LIGHTS CLOUD UP THEY BECOME VERY DIM AND CAST SHADOW ON IMAGES THAT THEY SHOULD BE ILLUMINATING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN RURAL AREAS AND HIGHWAYS THAT ARE NOT LIGHTED. LIGHTS ARE AS IMPORTANT AS THE OTHER SAFETY ITEMS IN A VEHICLE. IS THE FIX REALLY TO HAVE SOMEONE BUFF AND P… Look up ODI 10632938 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	69.5% ODI 10012433 · 55 mi THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB Look up ODI 10012433 at NHTSA ↗	11.5% ODI 10119224 MERCEDES BENZ C320 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR, AND A FLUID LEAK.*MR ANSWERING 10118894 AAE 4-27-05 THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A VALVE NOISE, A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVESHAFT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAK CAUSED SOME WIRES TO BECOME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVESHAFT TO NOISY. THE CONSUMER HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN HE ACCELERATED, BUT THE NOISE DECREASED WHEN HE DECELERATED, SECONDS LATER THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT RESPOND AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER … Look up ODI 10119224 at NHTSA ↗	14.5% ODI 10197622 · 54,352 mi THIS HAPPENED IN MY 2003 C320 AT 54,000 MILES. I INITIALLY NOTICED A LIGHT RUBBING OR GRINDING WHILE ACCELERATING, WITH LIGHT VIBRATION. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, NEW RADIATOR, AND A FLUID FLUSH. THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER THOSE REPAIRS, MY C320 WAS STILL SHIFTING HARD AND THE GRINDING NOISE WAS STILL THERE. IT TURNS OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AS WELL. TWO REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS WERE NEEDED UNTIL IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MI… Look up ODI 10197622 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	213.3% ODI 10357768 · 34,253 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,253. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/10/11 Look up ODI 10357768 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	34.8% ODI 10477464 · 136,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ON A LEVEL AND STRAIGHT ROAD THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND CAME TO A COMPLETE HALT. WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE; CLEAR VISIBILITY, ABOUT 85 DEG F, DRY ASPHALT SURFACE. ERROR CODES RESULTING FROM THIS FAULT INDICATES A FAULTY ESP YAW RATE SENSOR. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CODE READER SHOWED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OUTPUT WAS READING ANGLE RATES FROM AS LOW AS 34 TO AS HIGH AS 300+ GRADIENTS/SEC, WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AND PARKED AT THE SHOP. AS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR, I THAT THE … Look up ODI 10477464 at NHTSA ↗	57.4% ODI 10369827 · 12,000 mi UNPREDICTABLE APPLICATION OF ESP IN 2002 MERCEDES C-320 RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING AND ENGINE THROTTLE DOWN. *TR Look up ODI 10369827 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 10356216 · 55,000 mi I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES C320 THAT INCORRECTLY THOUGHT THAT IT NEEDED TO CUT POWER TO THE VEHICLE WHEN I WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT. IT DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES, I WOULD GUESS ABOUT 6 OR 7, FROM THE TIME I LEFT MY HOUSE UNTIL I TURNED AROUND AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE LESS THAN 1/2 MILE DRIVING DISTANCE. THESE WERE NOT ALL COMPLETE LEFT TURNS, MOST WERE CURVES TO THE LEFT. MY WIFE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER LATER THAT DAY, AND DECIDED NOT TO HAVE IT LOOKED INTO BECAUSE IT DID NOT DO IT TO HER AND "THE CAR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED" ALSO SHE DECIDED SH… Look up ODI 10356216 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	23.2% ODI 10863638 · 85,000 mi I HAD A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BUT HAVE NOW BEEN RESOLVED THROUGH MANY REPAIR SHOP VISITS. I HAVE 109,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW. THE ISSUE THAT KEPT OCCURRING IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT KEEPS COMING OFF. I ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE AND THE PART ITSELF IS $350. I CAN BUY THE WHOLE DOOR FOR $300 AT THE SCRAP YARD. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I FEEL LIKE ITS THE GLUE AND MAYBE THE HOT HUMID WEATHER IS AFFECTING IT? I DID HAVE TO REPLACE A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT DRAINED SO QUICKLY. I THINK THE BATTERY… Look up ODI 10863638 at NHTSA ↗	34.4% ODI 10118894 CONSUMER EXPERIENCED VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320.MR BF NM JB Look up ODI 10118894 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 11482821 My right rear tire wares from the inside to the middle only the rest of the tire is good. I’ve had two blowouts because I can’t see that part of my tire without getting down on the ground to look at it. The part I see looks good. My tire seems to be kicked out a bit at the bottom. This is the only tire I have problems with. Look up ODI 11482821 at NHTSA ↗	213.3% ODI 11220438 · 105,000 mi A SMALL SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR LOCK BREAKS WHICH KEEPS THE DOOR FROM OPENING ONCE LOCKED. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPAIR HOW TO VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF A PERSON IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDS TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY, THIS BROKEN LOCK CAN KEEP THEM STUCK INSIDE THE CAR UNABLE TO ESCAPE. Look up ODI 11220438 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11354331 THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A SUNROOF GLASS BONDING (19V918) AT A MERCEDEZ BENZ IN ONTARIO, CA. MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THIS WORK WAS TO BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE, AS PER LAW 49USC CHAPTER 301. HOWEVER, THIS ONTARIO DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR MY TRANSPORTATION TO GO PICK UP THE CAR AND THEY OWE ME THE AMOUNT OF $26.33 DOLLARS THAT I HAD TO PAY UBER. Look up ODI 11354331 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel/Propulsion System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	22.9% ODI 10555401 · 90,338 mi FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE CAUSING GAS TANK TO LEAK. FUMES SO STRONG IN GARAGE RISK OF EXPLOSION. FUMES PERMEATING HOME. *TR Look up ODI 10555401 at NHTSA ↗	14.5% ODI 11020951 · 170,000 mi 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 BA… Look up ODI 11020951 at NHTSA ↗	426.7% ODI 10560207 · 96,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS FILLED WITH GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. Look up ODI 10560207 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10575856 · 55,600 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND SEAL WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,610. Look up ODI 10575856 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	54,000–97,000 mi	70,000 mi	45	ODI 10019133 · 29,457 mi GAS FUMES SO OVER POWERING THAT YOU HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN AFTER YOU FILLED UP THE CAR WITH GASOLINE. GAS TANK HAD A LEAK AND ALL THE DASH WAS REPLACED AT DEALER. HOWEVER THERE ARE SHORTAGES IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSE THE VISOR LAMPS TO NOT WORK AND THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS AND RELAYS IN THE WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN THE HEAT IS ON THE GAS FUMES AND MONOXIDE IS STRONG AGAIN . I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED WHEN THEY FIXED IT BUT IT STILL TENDS TO ACT UP. NLM Look up ODI 10019133 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10131420 · 50,500 mi DT: CONSUMER WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS NAVIGATION, RADIO/CD, TELEPHONE, VOICE COMMAND, GAS GAUGES, AND POWER WINDOWS WERE NOT WORKING. SINCE THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND WILL BE REPLACED THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND CONTACTED MERCEDES ,WHO SAID THEY COULD REPLACE NAVIGATION AND THE RADIO/CD WHICH S\WERE CONNECTED BY SAME COMPUTER FOR $3,000. DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED, BUT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. HAV… Look up ODI 10131420 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10165435 · 57,518 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT LIGHT BULB WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE WIRING HARNESS, REAR EXTERIOR LIGHT BULB, AND ADAPTER CABLE FOR THE TAIL LAMPS WERE REPLACED. THE PARK LIGHT ERROR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR LIGHT BULBS. ANOTHER, UNKNOWN, LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE SAM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE SAME SOLUTION. UPDATED 10/04/… Look up ODI 10165435 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	52,250–86,375 mi	77,500 mi	32	ODI 10245141 · 80,000 mi WE HAVE A 2001, MERCEDES C320 THAT WE HAVE TO UNPLUG THE POWER SEATS ON EVERY TIME WE GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE POWER SEAT MODULE IS FAULTY. OBVIOUSLY WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES... HTTP://WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/MB-SAFETY-TESTIMONIALS/1279095-C320-BATTERY-PROBLEM-PLZ-HELP.HTML . IT IS RIDICULOUS TO PAY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU PAY FOR A MERCEDES AND FOR THEM TO HAVE SO MANY CARS DOING THE SAME EXACT THING WITHOUT HAVING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. TR Look up ODI 10245141 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10245849 · 70,000 mi I HAVE A 2001 MERCEDES C320 WHICH I CAN'T REALLY DRIVE ANYMORE BECAUSE THE BATTERY DRAINS EVERY DAY, THE PROBLEM IS THE POWER SEAT CONTROLLER, IT DRAINS THE BATTERY REALLY QUICKLY. TR Look up ODI 10245849 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10253289 · 57,000 mi THE POWER SEAT CONTROL UNITS DRAIN THE BATTERY, AS THEY TURN ON AND OFF DURING EXTENDED PERIODS OF REST. *TR Look up ODI 10253289 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	70,750–123,500 mi	91,571 mi	10	ODI 10126338 · 53,867 mi DT: CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS FROM AIR BAGS TO BRAKES TO ALTERNATOR. OWNER DOESNT THINK HE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS, ACTUALLY THE MAIN CONCERN HE HAS IS ABOUT THE WARRANTY. UPON PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN THE BRAKES AND ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AS WELL. THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AFTER THE OWNER INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. JB Look up ODI 10126338 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10296860 · 90,254 mi I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT AND WAS STRUCK 3 DIFFERENT TIMES IN 3 DIFFERENT AREAS OF MY VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY CREW AS WELL AS HIGHWAY PATROL WERE WONDERING WHY MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I NEVER BEING IN AN ACCIDENT IN A VEHICLE WITH AIRBAGS DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. UPON RECUPERATING I CONTACTED MY MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SRS SWITCH HAD OCCURRED BUT MERCEDES DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL THEY INFORMED DEALERSHIPS TO CHANGE OUT THE SWITCH ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS. I CONTACTED MERCEDES USA A… Look up ODI 10296860 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	85,617–115,500 mi	91,444 mi	10	ODI 10458988 · 120,000 mi THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE FRONT RIGHT HAS BEEN OUT SINCE ABOUT FEBRUARY. THE DEALER PARTS GUY SAID QUOTE: "CONFIRMED GROUNDING PROBLEM (A DESIGN FLAW); GROUND WIRE IS TOO LOW A GAUGE FOR MAX CURRENT THROUGH HEADLIGHT ASSY. AND OVERLOAD CAUSES SHORT (MELTDOWN - LITERALLY)". I THINK THAT WHEN A MBZ DEALERS OWN PEOPLE STATE THIS FACT, AND WHEN YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND FIND THE SAME QUOTES FROM INDIVIDUALS, OVER AGAIN, THEN THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS A SAD DAY WHEN A HUGE AUTO MANUFACTURER IS ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH AN O… Look up ODI 10458988 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10585499 · 75,000 mi MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTME… Look up ODI 10585499 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10617540 · 90,000 mi THE "MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY" (MFD) SCREEN IN THE DASH FADES WITH INTERIOR HEAT (IN SUMMER) AND EVENTUALLY FAILS OVER TIME. THE MFD DISPLAYS ALL CRITICAL VEHICLE OPERATION INFORMATION (SUCH AS COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNINGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION, ETC.), AND ALL NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE FAULT CODES THAT OCCUR. WITHOUT THE INFORMATION VISIBLE, THE OWNER CAN'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO MECHANICAL GAUGES SERVING AS BACK-UP. FURTHER, THE VEHICLE ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE IN THE MFD. WITHOUT AN OPERATING MFD… Look up ODI 10617540 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	31,151–78,000 mi	54,352 mi	9	ODI 10012433 · 55 mi THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. JB Look up ODI 10012433 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10253394 · 1,079 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERA… Look up ODI 10253394 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10310826 · 78,000 mi MY 2001 MERCEDES C320 HAS DIED COMPLETELY WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WILL RESTART AND RUN FINE AFTER THE PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10310826 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	57,000–128,000 mi	125,000 mi	9	ODI 10477464 · 136,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ON A LEVEL AND STRAIGHT ROAD THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED BRAKES AND CAME TO A COMPLETE HALT. WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE; CLEAR VISIBILITY, ABOUT 85 DEG F, DRY ASPHALT SURFACE. ERROR CODES RESULTING FROM THIS FAULT INDICATES A FAULTY ESP YAW RATE SENSOR. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CODE READER SHOWED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OUTPUT WAS READING ANGLE RATES FROM AS LOW AS 34 TO AS HIGH AS 300+ GRADIENTS/SEC, WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AND PARKED AT THE SHOP. AS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR, I THAT THE … Look up ODI 10477464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10560656 · 128,000 mi REALLY DAD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAINING BATTERY WHEN KEY OFF MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD .!! TWO TIMES. *TR Look up ODI 10560656 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10618834 · 57,000 mi AT 55 MPH THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS RELEASES, THE BAS AND ESC FAULTS ARE THEN VISIBLE ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES TWO TIMES, BUT THIS CONDITION SHOWS UP AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING , CODES SHOW THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR CONNECTION IS AT FAULT. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE THE FAULT WARNING DASH LIGHTS ESC AND BAS WILL COME ON WITH NO MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A COLLISION… Look up ODI 10618834 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	95,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10863638 · 85,000 mi I HAD A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BUT HAVE NOW BEEN RESOLVED THROUGH MANY REPAIR SHOP VISITS. I HAVE 109,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW. THE ISSUE THAT KEPT OCCURRING IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT KEEPS COMING OFF. I ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE AND THE PART ITSELF IS $350. I CAN BUY THE WHOLE DOOR FOR $300 AT THE SCRAP YARD. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I FEEL LIKE ITS THE GLUE AND MAYBE THE HOT HUMID WEATHER IS AFFECTING IT? I DID HAVE TO REPLACE A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT DRAINED SO QUICKLY. I THINK THE BATTERY… Look up ODI 10863638 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11220438 · 105,000 mi A SMALL SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR LOCK BREAKS WHICH KEEPS THE DOOR FROM OPENING ONCE LOCKED. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPAIR HOW TO VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF A PERSON IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDS TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY, THIS BROKEN LOCK CAN KEEP THEM STUCK INSIDE THE CAR UNABLE TO ESCAPE. Look up ODI 11220438 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	60,700–94,585 mi	83,169 mi	6	ODI 10555401 · 90,338 mi FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE CAUSING GAS TANK TO LEAK. FUMES SO STRONG IN GARAGE RISK OF EXPLOSION. FUMES PERMEATING HOME. TR Look up ODI 10555401 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11020951 · 170,000 mi 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 BA… Look up ODI 11020951 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10560207 · 96,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS FILLED WITH GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. Look up ODI 10560207 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	0	24V874000	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	1	None	ODI 11714189 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. Look up ODI 11714189 at NHTSA ↗
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2006: 0 complaints · 2007: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2006	0	0	0
2007	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2006	2	0	0
2007	2	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Seats	Air Bags	Exterior Lighting	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Unknown Or Other	Fuel/Propulsion System
Electrical System	—	21 ODI 10253289 · 57,000 mi THE POWER SEAT CONTROL UNITS DRAIN THE BATTERY, AS THEY TURN ON AND OFF DURING EXTENDED PERIODS OF REST. TR Look up ODI 10253289 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10258271 · 82,000 mi WE OWN A 2001 MERCEDES C320 AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ALL RELATED TO THE POWER SEAT ASSEMBLIES DRAINING THE BATTERY OVER NIGHT. WE HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED BY THE DEALER, FIRST TIME WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND NOW- JUST ABOUT A YEAR OR SO LATER, SAME PROBLEM. IF WE UNPLUG THE POWER SEATS, THE BATTER DOES NOT DRAIN. WE KNOW WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WITH THIS PROBLEM, SEE WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/MB-SAFETY-TESTIMONIALS/1279095-C320-BATTERY-PROBLEM-PLZ-HELP.HTML . I AGREE THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS TO SPEND THE TYPE OF MONEY O… Look up ODI 10258271 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10304357 · 65,000 mi MERCEDES BENZ C320 2001 MODEL. POWER SEAT MODULE SHORTS AND DRAINS BATTERY. THE CONSTANT DRAW OFF THE SYSTEM COULD AT SOME POINT, CAUSE A FIRE, WHILE DRIVING OR OVER NIGHT IN GARAGE. 2 TWICE IT WAS FAILED WITHIN A 1 YR TIME FRAME. DEALER CHARGE $1000.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. DEALER WOULD NOT SUPPLY OLD PART FOR INSPECTION. TR Look up ODI 10304357 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11606841 · 124,000 mi 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 manufac… Look up ODI 11606841 at NHTSA ↗	7 ODI 10585499 · 75,000 mi MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTME… Look up ODI 10585499 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10617540 · 90,000 mi THE "MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY" (MFD) SCREEN IN THE DASH FADES WITH INTERIOR HEAT (IN SUMMER) AND EVENTUALLY FAILS OVER TIME. THE MFD DISPLAYS ALL CRITICAL VEHICLE OPERATION INFORMATION (SUCH AS COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNINGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION, ETC.), AND ALL NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE FAULT CODES THAT OCCUR. WITHOUT THE INFORMATION VISIBLE, THE OWNER CAN'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO MECHANICAL GAUGES SERVING AS BACK-UP. FURTHER, THE VEHICLE ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE IN THE MFD. WITHOUT AN OPERATING MFD… Look up ODI 10617540 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10885314 MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT… Look up ODI 10885314 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10253394 · 1,079 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERA… Look up ODI 10253394 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10352334 · 102,211 mi MALFUNCTIONING SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAIN BATTERY IN 2001 C320 MERCEDES BENZ. NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN JANUARY 2008 WITH 51,000+ MILES, I PAID $175 DOLLARS FOR A NEW MBZ BATTERY, BEFORE ASKING DEALERSHIP TO DISCONNECT SEAT CONTROL MODULES. I WAS NOT PREPARED TO PAY $1200 TO REPLACE MODULES. JUNE 25, 2010, MY 2001 C320 STOPPED DURING A TRIP TO PHOENIX, AZ FROM CALIFORNIA, DUE TO FUEL PUMP GOING OUT. MY 79 YEAR-OLD MOTHER AND I WAITED IN 100+ DEGREE WEATHER FOR A TOW, WHICH TOOK 3 HOURS TO GET TO PHOENIX MBZ DEALERSHIP. OAKLAND SER… Look up ODI 10352334 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10441923 · 70,000 mi ON THE FIRST OCCASION (DECEMBER 16, 2010), MY MERCEDES C320 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING 57 MPH ON THE FREEWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. THERE WERE SEVERAL CARS AND TRACTOR TRAILERS BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING. THE INCIDENT WAS TERRIFYING, AS NO WARNING LIGHTS (NOTHING) CAME ON IN THE CAR. LUCKILY, OTHER DRIVERS SAW ME IN DISTRESS AND I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SIDE STRIP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PHOENIX MOTORS (M… Look up ODI 10441923 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10560656 · 128,000 mi REALLY DAD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAINING BATTERY WHEN KEY OFF MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD .!! TWO TIMES. TR Look up ODI 10560656 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10618834 · 57,000 mi AT 55 MPH THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS RELEASES, THE BAS AND ESC FAULTS ARE THEN VISIBLE ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES TWO TIMES, BUT THIS CONDITION SHOWS UP AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING , CODES SHOW THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR CONNECTION IS AT FAULT. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE THE FAULT WARNING DASH LIGHTS ESC AND BAS WILL COME ON WITH NO MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A COLLISION… Look up ODI 10618834 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10525598 · 68,000 mi THERE HAVE BEEN TWO WARNING LIGHTS FOR REAR LIGHTS AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 4 HOURS, A WARNING CAME ON FOR ELECTRICAL STABILITY AND MY CAR QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND I HAD TO RESTART IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. TR Look up ODI 10525598 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 11020951 · 170,000 mi 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 BA… Look up ODI 11020951 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	21 ODI 10253289 · 57,000 mi THE POWER SEAT CONTROL UNITS DRAIN THE BATTERY, AS THEY TURN ON AND OFF DURING EXTENDED PERIODS OF REST. TR Look up ODI 10253289 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10258271 · 82,000 mi WE OWN A 2001 MERCEDES C320 AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ALL RELATED TO THE POWER SEAT ASSEMBLIES DRAINING THE BATTERY OVER NIGHT. WE HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED BY THE DEALER, FIRST TIME WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND NOW- JUST ABOUT A YEAR OR SO LATER, SAME PROBLEM. IF WE UNPLUG THE POWER SEATS, THE BATTER DOES NOT DRAIN. WE KNOW WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WITH THIS PROBLEM, SEE WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/MB-SAFETY-TESTIMONIALS/1279095-C320-BATTERY-PROBLEM-PLZ-HELP.HTML . I AGREE THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS TO SPEND THE TYPE OF MONEY O… Look up ODI 10258271 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10304357 · 65,000 mi MERCEDES BENZ C320 2001 MODEL. POWER SEAT MODULE SHORTS AND DRAINS BATTERY. THE CONSTANT DRAW OFF THE SYSTEM COULD AT SOME POINT, CAUSE A FIRE, WHILE DRIVING OR OVER NIGHT IN GARAGE. 2 TWICE IT WAS FAILED WITHIN A 1 YR TIME FRAME. DEALER CHARGE $1000.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. DEALER WOULD NOT SUPPLY OLD PART FOR INSPECTION. TR Look up ODI 10304357 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10585499 · 75,000 mi MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTME… Look up ODI 10585499 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10885314 MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT… Look up ODI 10885314 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10560656 · 128,000 mi REALLY DAD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAINING BATTERY WHEN KEY OFF MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD .!! TWO TIMES. *TR Look up ODI 10560656 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Air Bags	2 ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11606841 · 124,000 mi 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 manufac… Look up ODI 11606841 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Exterior Lighting	7 ODI 10585499 · 75,000 mi MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTME… Look up ODI 10585499 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10617540 · 90,000 mi THE "MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY" (MFD) SCREEN IN THE DASH FADES WITH INTERIOR HEAT (IN SUMMER) AND EVENTUALLY FAILS OVER TIME. THE MFD DISPLAYS ALL CRITICAL VEHICLE OPERATION INFORMATION (SUCH AS COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNINGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION, ETC.), AND ALL NOTIFICATION OF VEHICLE FAULT CODES THAT OCCUR. WITHOUT THE INFORMATION VISIBLE, THE OWNER CAN'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO MECHANICAL GAUGES SERVING AS BACK-UP. FURTHER, THE VEHICLE ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE IN THE MFD. WITHOUT AN OPERATING MFD… Look up ODI 10617540 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10885314 MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT… Look up ODI 10885314 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10585499 · 75,000 mi MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTME… Look up ODI 10585499 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10885314 MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT… Look up ODI 10885314 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10297061 · 92,887 mi MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION SRS WARNING SEATS MALFUNCTION BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO BATTERY DRAIN TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR Look up ODI 10297061 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10525598 · 68,000 mi THERE HAVE BEEN TWO WARNING LIGHTS FOR REAR LIGHTS AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 4 HOURS, A WARNING CAME ON FOR ELECTRICAL STABILITY AND MY CAR QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND I HAD TO RESTART IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. *TR Look up ODI 10525598 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10863638 · 85,000 mi I HAD A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BUT HAVE NOW BEEN RESOLVED THROUGH MANY REPAIR SHOP VISITS. I HAVE 109,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW. THE ISSUE THAT KEPT OCCURRING IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT KEEPS COMING OFF. I ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE AND THE PART ITSELF IS $350. I CAN BUY THE WHOLE DOOR FOR $300 AT THE SCRAP YARD. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I FEEL LIKE ITS THE GLUE AND MAYBE THE HOT HUMID WEATHER IS AFFECTING IT? I DID HAVE TO REPLACE A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT DRAINED SO QUICKLY. I THINK THE BATTERY… Look up ODI 10863638 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11020951 · 170,000 mi 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 BA… Look up ODI 11020951 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	3 ODI 10253394 · 1,079 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERA… Look up ODI 10253394 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10352334 · 102,211 mi MALFUNCTIONING SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAIN BATTERY IN 2001 C320 MERCEDES BENZ. NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN JANUARY 2008 WITH 51,000+ MILES, I PAID $175 DOLLARS FOR A NEW MBZ BATTERY, BEFORE ASKING DEALERSHIP TO DISCONNECT SEAT CONTROL MODULES. I WAS NOT PREPARED TO PAY $1200 TO REPLACE MODULES. JUNE 25, 2010, MY 2001 C320 STOPPED DURING A TRIP TO PHOENIX, AZ FROM CALIFORNIA, DUE TO FUEL PUMP GOING OUT. MY 79 YEAR-OLD MOTHER AND I WAITED IN 100+ DEGREE WEATHER FOR A TOW, WHICH TOOK 3 HOURS TO GET TO PHOENIX MBZ DEALERSHIP. OAKLAND SER… Look up ODI 10352334 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10441923 · 70,000 mi ON THE FIRST OCCASION (DECEMBER 16, 2010), MY MERCEDES C320 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING 57 MPH ON THE FREEWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. THERE WERE SEVERAL CARS AND TRACTOR TRAILERS BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING. THE INCIDENT WAS TERRIFYING, AS NO WARNING LIGHTS (NOTHING) CAME ON IN THE CAR. LUCKILY, OTHER DRIVERS SAW ME IN DISTRESS AND I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER OVER THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SIDE STRIP. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PHOENIX MOTORS (M… Look up ODI 10441923 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	4 ODI 10560656 · 128,000 mi REALLY DAD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAINING BATTERY WHEN KEY OFF MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD .!! TWO TIMES. TR Look up ODI 10560656 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10618834 · 57,000 mi AT 55 MPH THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS RELEASES, THE BAS AND ESC FAULTS ARE THEN VISIBLE ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES TWO TIMES, BUT THIS CONDITION SHOWS UP AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING , CODES SHOW THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR CONNECTION IS AT FAULT. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE THE FAULT WARNING DASH LIGHTS ESC AND BAS WILL COME ON WITH NO MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A COLLISION… Look up ODI 10618834 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10525598 · 68,000 mi THERE HAVE BEEN TWO WARNING LIGHTS FOR REAR LIGHTS AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 4 HOURS, A WARNING CAME ON FOR ELECTRICAL STABILITY AND MY CAR QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND I HAD TO RESTART IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. TR Look up ODI 10525598 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10560656 · 128,000 mi REALLY DAD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAINING BATTERY WHEN KEY OFF MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD .!! TWO TIMES. *TR Look up ODI 10560656 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10525598 · 68,000 mi THERE HAVE BEEN TWO WARNING LIGHTS FOR REAR LIGHTS AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 4 HOURS, A WARNING CAME ON FOR ELECTRICAL STABILITY AND MY CAR QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND I HAD TO RESTART IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. *TR Look up ODI 10525598 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	0	0	1 ODI 10863638 · 85,000 mi I HAD A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BUT HAVE NOW BEEN RESOLVED THROUGH MANY REPAIR SHOP VISITS. I HAVE 109,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW. THE ISSUE THAT KEPT OCCURRING IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT KEEPS COMING OFF. I ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE AND THE PART ITSELF IS $350. I CAN BUY THE WHOLE DOOR FOR $300 AT THE SCRAP YARD. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I FEEL LIKE ITS THE GLUE AND MAYBE THE HOT HUMID WEATHER IS AFFECTING IT? I DID HAVE TO REPLACE A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT DRAINED SO QUICKLY. I THINK THE BATTERY… Look up ODI 10863638 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	1 ODI 11428224 Vehicle constantly smells like gas inside the cabin, it makes me dizzy and affects my head overall health inhaling vapors. At first I thought I could handle it, but it just gives me nonstop headaches and I'm afraid one spark will ignite/ explode my entire vehicle. This happens everytime I fill the gas tank. I heard their was a warranty extension but don't believe me vehicle was included which is unfortunate. Their is a check engine light informing of a EVAP Leak. Look up ODI 11428224 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	1 ODI 11020951 · 170,000 mi 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 BA… Look up ODI 11020951 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 11020951 · 170,000 mi 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 BA… Look up ODI 11020951 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 11428224 Vehicle constantly smells like gas inside the cabin, it makes me dizzy and affects my head overall health inhaling vapors. At first I thought I could handle it, but it just gives me nonstop headaches and I'm afraid one spark will ignite/ explode my entire vehicle. This happens everytime I fill the gas tank. I heard their was a warranty extension but don't believe me vehicle was included which is unfortunate. Their is a check engine light informing of a EVAP Leak. Look up ODI 11428224 at NHTSA ↗	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

7 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

15 mentions · 8.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 50,026 mi (13 usable records).

ODI 10012433 · 55 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

Look up ODI 10012433 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10092634 · 57,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10092634 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10247535 · 66,570 mi

Look up ODI 10247535 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

12 mentions · 6.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 75,000 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10237591

IF THE FRONT SEATS ARE PLUGGED IN THE BATTERY DRAINS. ONCE I UNPLUG NO MORE PROBLEM, BUT AS LONG AS THEY ARE PLUGGED IN AND I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DRAINED. *TR

Look up ODI 10237591 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10245849 · 70,000 mi

I HAVE A 2001 MERCEDES C320 WHICH I CAN'T REALLY DRIVE ANYMORE BECAUSE THE BATTERY DRAINS EVERY DAY, THE PROBLEM IS THE POWER SEAT CONTROLLER, IT DRAINS THE BATTERY REALLY QUICKLY. *TR

Look up ODI 10245849 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10460130 · 154,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A GRADUATION PRESENT FOR MY DAUGHTER. I KNOW IT'S AND OLDER MODEL, AND HAS HIGH MILEAGE, SO I EXPECTED SOME ISSUES. HOWEVER, AFTER READING SEVERAL POST ACROSS THE INTERNET IT SEEMS AS IF THE SEAT MODULE ISSUE IS A PROBLEM. EVERYTIME SHE LETS THE CAR SIT FOR MORE THAN A DAY, IT WON'T START. SHE HAS TO JUMP START THE CAR, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD THAT BENZ SHOULD HAVE RECALLED BY NOW. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THIS MORNING THE CARD ONCE AGAIN WOULD NOT START. I HAVE CONTACT…

Look up ODI 10460130 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

11 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 67,285 mi (10 usable records).

ODI 10092634 · 57,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10092634 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10165435 · 57,518 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT LIGHT BULB WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE WIRING HARNESS, REAR EXTERIOR LIGHT BULB, AND ADAPTER CABLE FOR THE TAIL LAMPS WERE REPLACED. THE PARK LIGHT ERROR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR LIGHT BULBS. ANOTHER, UNKNOWN, LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE SAM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE SAME SOLUTION. UPDATED 10/04/…

Look up ODI 10165435 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10247535 · 66,570 mi

Look up ODI 10247535 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

4 mentions · 2.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 68,290 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10126338 · 53,867 mi

DT: CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS FROM AIR BAGS TO BRAKES TO ALTERNATOR. OWNER DOESNT THINK HE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS, ACTUALLY THE MAIN CONCERN HE HAS IS ABOUT THE WARRANTY. UPON PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON, THEN THE BRAKES AND ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AS WELL. THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AFTER THE OWNER INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. *JB

Look up ODI 10126338 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10577314 · 185,277 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,277.

Look up ODI 10577314 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10618834 · 57,000 mi

AT 55 MPH THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS RELEASES, THE BAS AND ESC FAULTS ARE THEN VISIBLE ON THE DASH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES TWO TIMES, BUT THIS CONDITION SHOWS UP AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING , CODES SHOW THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR CONNECTION IS AT FAULT. EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE THE FAULT WARNING DASH LIGHTS ESC AND BAS WILL COME ON WITH NO MOVEMENT IN THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR A COLLISION…

Look up ODI 10618834 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 76,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11063454 · 76,000 mi

STRONG GAS SMELL

Look up ODI 11063454 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 54,352 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10197622 · 54,352 mi

THIS HAPPENED IN MY 2003 C320 AT 54,000 MILES. I INITIALLY NOTICED A LIGHT RUBBING OR GRINDING WHILE ACCELERATING, WITH LIGHT VIBRATION. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, NEW RADIATOR, AND A FLUID FLUSH. THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER THOSE REPAIRS, MY C320 WAS STILL SHIFTING HARD AND THE GRINDING NOISE WAS STILL THERE. IT TURNS OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AS WELL. TWO REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS WERE NEEDED UNTIL IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MI…

Look up ODI 10197622 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10017641

THE POWER STEERING WAS TIGHT AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. *JB *TT

Look up ODI 10017641 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b