Check a VIN

2003 Mercedes Benz C Class problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical C Class model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
82/100
Owner complaints
9
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
6
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
17-24mpg

The worst 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Fuel system
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class 6

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

2003 Mercedes Benz C Class fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylRWD18-2128-2922-24
3.2L 6‑cylRWD15-1819-2417-20
2.6L 6‑cylRWD15-1723-2418-19
2.6L 6‑cyl4WD172319
3.2L 6‑cyl4WD172319

What 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 11, 2011 · Engine · 70,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c240. The contact stated the coolant was leaking from the radiator into the transmission. The dealer was contacted and informed her that she had to flush the radiator and the transmission or replace the torque converter. If the failure was not repaired by flushing the system, the transmission would need to be replaced for over $2,000 at the contacts expense. There wee no recalls or warranties related to her vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 08/31/11 *bf the consumer has traded the vehicle. Updated 09/07/11.

Filed Jun 1, 2011 · Airbags, Seat belts · 20,000 miles · KY · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c240. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH the vehicle in front of him suddenly stopped causing him to crash into the rear of the vehicle. The passenger seat belt did not hold the passenger in the front seat which caused her head to hit the windshield. Both the driver and passenger side air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The passenger was taken to the hospital for a head injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000. Updated 07/08/11

Filed Mar 10, 2009 · Fuel system · MA

My 2003 c240 mercedes pilot bushing is experiencing heavy oil leak - there is a current re-call on same issue with other models. The dealer I use to service my care, refuse to repair because they said my model is not included in the re-call. 2nd issue - my driver side door handle is broken because of manufacture defects . Sometimes hard to open and have to use other door to get into car, dealer refuse to replace the defect handle with good handle.

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 70,003 miles · FL

2003 mercedes c240 stalls immediately after prolonged turnpike travel ( 1.5 hours) at exit ramp to an arterial roadway. This increases rearend accident potential. Mercedes checked vehicle but no report codes indicated. Suggested that it may be computer of sensor related. Mercedes suggested pulling over for 30 min. To let computer reset. First incident 12/17/08 second incident 12/28/08.

Filed Aug 7, 2007 · Acceleration · 77 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes c240. She stated that her vehicle would not accelerate fast enough to safely merge in and out of traffic. The manufacturer stated that they would be unable to assist her and they would not accept the extended warranty. The contact stated that she would file a complaint with the state attorney generals office due to her vehicle being a lemon. The failure was 77 and the current mileage was 40,900.

Filed Aug 6, 2007 · 32,073 miles · OK

While driving with A/C set on "auto" the A/C system would suddenly turn off by itself and would turn of repeatedly when started again. During such episodes the A/C would act erratic with fans turning on and off at different outlets, cycles between heating and cooling, and makes hissing sounds. This would occur many times a day on a daily basis in summer weather (except when the car is taken to the dealer, it seems). It took about 2 years for the dealer to finally fix the problem since they could not avoid admitting its existence after I had video taped the malfunction and showed them the video..

Filed Aug 3, 2007 · Electrical · 43,620 miles · NY

I own a 2003 mercedes c240 station wagon with about 42000 miles, a few days ago I observed some messages on dash which seem to indicate alternator problem. My vehicle has not been heavily used and I am surprised to learn that a new alternator may be needed, this because a friend with c class sedan has had the same issue just 2 weeks ago and cost him $1500 to replace the alternator & battery. I believe there may be many more folks that experienced the same situation and probably the c class mercedes are outfitted with faulty alternators and investigation may be in order here.

Filed Aug 28, 2005 · Electrical, Transmission · 18,300 miles · CA

My mercedes-benz c-240 (2003 model), having less than 18500 miles, suddenly lost power after some 2-hour worth of free-way driving. Around noon on friday, 8/26/05, I was driving south -bound on I-15 past victorville (ca), about 9 miles past the exit for route 18, when my c-240 suddenly lost power. As I depressed the accelerator, I felt no power and the RPM was decreasing. It felt like the entire engine-transmission system was shutting down. There was no prior warning. I made right turn signal letting other vehicles know I was coming off the free-way. I managed to pull off to the right shoulder safely and came to full stop on the gravel. At that time, my digital odometer read "1 malfunction". Using my cell phone, I immediately called the mercedes hotline. The roadside assistance representative, kristin, advised me not to drive the vehicle, even after the "1 malfunction" sign became "no malfunction" a little later. My vehicle was towed to a mercedes-benz dealer in riverside, some 50 miles away. At the dealers service dept, after a basic check involving computer and electronics, some faulty identifications were made, but it was determined to be safe and drivable. I drove my vehicle home, planning to have a major check up later.

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · NY

Vehicle was damaged while being shipped. *mr *sc

Compare the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class

Other model years

1991199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620082012

Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class

Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class reliable?

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class, fewer than a typical C Class model year.

What is the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class year score?

The 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz C Class: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class?

Electrical system, with 3 complaints. Next is engine (2).

How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Mercedes Benz C Class have the most electrical problems?

The Mercedes Benz C Class model years with the most electrical complaints are 1995 (45 complaints) and 1994 (10 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class get?

Official estimates for the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class range from 17 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18-21 city and 28-29 highway.

Share your experience with the 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Mercedes Benz C Class?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN