What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Typical pattern

4.5% of complaints about the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2005 vehicle — around the middle of the 245 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (52 complaints), typically at 11.6 yr or about 95,632 miles.

Covers 4 variants: C230 (120), C240 (39), C320 (19), C CLASS (8)
Complaints
177
Median age at failure
9.5 yr
Median mileage
81,000 n=111
Crash / fire / tow
19.2% of reports
Safety recalls
0

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
52 reports · 95,632 mi
11.6 yr
23.1%
Electrical system
17 reports · 105,000 mi
10.3 yr
17.6%
Engine cooling
15 reports · 47,668 mi
2.8 yr
6.7%

In owners’ own words

Air bags mileage not reported 1.6 yr in service
I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN APRIL THAT MY CAR WAS RECALLED BECAUSE OF AIR BAG SAFETY ISSUES. MERCEDES HAS NOT RECTIFIED THE SITUATION. *JB
Air bags mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
SUBMISSION FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF PAYMENT FOR DAMAGED TO C230 2005 MERCEDES BENZ IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT CERTIFIED MAIL. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIR BAGS IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FAILED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *NM
Air bags mileage not reported 1.7 yr in service
IN MARCH 2006, WE RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE #2006-020005 FOR OUR 2005 MERCEDES C230, FOR AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. OVER THE LAST 70 DAYS, I HAVE CALLED LEITH MERCEDES IN RALEIGH, NC FIVE TIMES TO SCHEDULE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR UNDER THIS RECALL AND I AM TOLD THE PARTS ARE STILL ON BACKORDER FROM GERMANY AND IT WILL BE 6 TO 8 WEEKS BEFORE THEY CAN CONDUCT THE REPAIR. *JB
Electrical system 2,500 mi 1.1 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD AMBIENT LIGHTING. DURING THE DAYTIME, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS DIFFICULT TO READ. AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COULD BE READ CLEARLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ

Other C-Class model years

2019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052003200220011999

How to read this