2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 recalls and problems

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 has 4 safety recalls and 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
85
Crashes / fires
12 / 6
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 recalls

Recall 24V-874: Visibility

Reported Nov 19, 2024 · 33,456 vehicles affected · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

Recall 22V-954: Visibility

Reported Dec 23, 2022 · 131,653 vehicles affected · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

Recall 19V-918: Visibility

Reported Dec 20, 2019 · 747,928 vehicles affected · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

Recall 16V-081: Air Bags

Reported Feb 11, 2016 · 711,159 vehicles affected · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags50
Electrical System12
Engine and Engine Cooling9
Power Train8
Engine6
Structure4
Tires3
Unknown or Other3
Exterior Lighting3
Seats3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)2

Most reported parts

  • Air Bags › Frontal — 3
  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 2
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
  • Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 1
  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 1
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 82,543 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Mar 22, 2024
The SAM system failed and car would not start !It took months to be diagnosed by 3 different mechanics! The message said quite often that the Air bags have been deployed !The dealer could not determine the issue! There have been various recalls on the Takata air bags stating my C230 2005 Kompressor is included in the recall over the last few years and when I put in the vin it says my car is not included! My mechanic said I should take it to the dealer before someone is killed. All I want now is to have these airbags replaced! Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF…
Engine · reported May 18, 2023
Vehicle began smoking on highway. No check engine or indicator of any fault codes. No previous coolant or oil leaks, or fuel leaks appeared to be visible or of issue. Vehicle had to be pulled over on side of highway as smoke began to became increasing with darker color from the engine bay, then making its way into the inner cabin Of the vehicle. Within a minute the full engine and front end of vehicle was engulfed in flames. Occupant was barley able to get out due to the vehicles dark smoke which caused disorientation for the driver. A good samaritan removed driver from vehicle and…
Engine · reported Jun 22, 2022
I was driving my car to work and the next thing you know it slowed down only going 40mph. Then the engine light came on and now it want go in reverse. The electrical has went out for moving the headrest up and down, moving the seat forward n backwards. The battery keep draining, this is the 3rd new battery I had to buy. It's still beging drain. The sunroof will not open all electrical has went out in that area. It has never been able to open. The windshield wiper motor has went out. I took the car to the dealership they sais it wasn't nothing they can do since there wasn't no recall for this…
Air Bags · at 127,000 miles · reported Feb 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz c230. The contact stated that while making a left turn into a shopping center at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle causing the contact's vehicle to crash into the vehicle in front of her. The contact's forehead struck the steering wheel. The contact stated that the air bag failed to deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the head, right breast, and right leg. The front seat passenger suffered an injury to the head, back, and right leg. Medical attention was sought. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was…
Unknown or Other · at 89,000 miles · reported Sep 6, 2020
La tela del techo se despeg de repente y puede caer encima del conductor y pasajeros .he preguntado a otras personas que tienen el mismo modelo y me dicen que tambin les a pasado lo mismo o sea debe ser defecto de fabrica

Other Mercedes-Benz C230 years

Compare all Mercedes-Benz C230 years · All Mercedes-Benz models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230: 24V-874 (visibility), 22V-954 (visibility), 19V-918 (visibility), 16V-081 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230?

Owners report air bags problems most often (50 reports), followed by electrical system (12). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 82,543 miles.

Are Mercedes-Benz recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.