Driver's side seat back, left bolster, started to smoke and burned a dime size hole in the leather seat cover. Driver's seat heat was on at the time. Turning the seat heat off seems to have solved the problem temporarily. Suspect short in seat heat wiring. Potential fire hazard!
The worst 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Seats2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Electrical1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Seats2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Electrical1
Recalls 2
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor may not be displayed in the instrument cluster; (3) the obd system may cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly; and, (4) the speedometer may be out of tolerance.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
- Remedy
- Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 08V303000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles equipped with sport model steering wheels fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." in certain low risk air bag deployment tests conducted by the federal safety agency, using an out-of-position unbelted 5th percentile female crash test dummy, irregularities were demonstrated indicating that occupants may not be properly protected in a crash.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, an occupant may not be properly restrained which could result in injuries.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new air bag inflator module free of charge. The recall began on march 15, 2006. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 05V560000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
2005 Mercedes Benz C Class fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | RWD | 20-21 | 28-29 | 23-24 |
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 20 |
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-18 | 22-24 | 18-20 |
| 2.6L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17 | 23 | 20 |
| 2.6L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 22-23 | 19 |
| 5.4L 8‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 |
What 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving experienced sudden loss of power. Engine would rev normally but vehicle acted as if in neutral. I was able to move over to side of freeway safely. Placed car in park and then shifted back into drive, and car behaved normally. After doing research, I have discovered that this is a common problem with this model. According to, http://jayauto.wordpress.com, mercedes is in a fight with its own suppliers because they produce a low-quality part. If you have problems with your 7-speed transmissions, please report it to: the federal safety agency. Only this organization can enforce mercedes to do a transmission recall. In 2011, mercedes made their biggest profit in their history. However, I don't think they will use it to fix their issues with transmission.
Seat control module failure. 2 modules per car, 1 for passenger seat, and 1 for driver seat fail. The defective seat control module unit will deplete the cars battery overnight resulting in a no-start condition the following day. A new battery, or a jump start, will get the car going again. The common immediate resolution is to unplug the seat control module which would impact the seats ability to respond in an accident. The replacement part and diagnosis from mb dealer is approx $700/ module. This is a huge liability for mercedes owners and the repair should be investigated for seat function safety. I understand the part number has been updated, which I believe is an admission by mercedes that the original part is defective.
A o-ring connected to the transmission started leaking out transmission fluid after my wife drove the car in the snow, the back tires had some traction problem due to the wet snow earlier. Once the car reached home, transmission oil was dripping onto the garage floor. The car has less than 25k on it, in mint condition. She was told by our neighbor that she should not drive it until the problem is fixed. The was taken to the shop and fixed in january when I returned from my oversee mission. The mercedes shop indicated it was a defect in the o-ring design and that a better replacement o-ring was installed for a hefty price since the warranty on the car ended the prior month. I did some research on the web to see if this problem was common given it was a design defect in the o-ring. To my surprise I found this was a common problem that mercedes benz refuses to acknowledge. Had she been driving the car she could have ended up damaging the transmission and worse gotten stranded somewhere. I think this defect needs to be investigated further to ensure safety of the drivers of the vehicle given this was not an isolated incident. Others on the web have reported similar problems.
I received a notice in april that my car was recalled because of air bag safety issues. Mercedes has not rectified the situation.
Compare the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class
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Questions about the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class
Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class reliable?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class, fewer than a typical C Class model year.
What is the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class year score?
The 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class scores 89 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 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class?
Seats, with 2 complaints. Next is transmission (2).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and air bags.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class get?
Official estimates for the 2005 Mercedes Benz C Class range from 16 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 20-21 city and 28-29 highway.
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