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 INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags50
- Engine15
- Electrical12
- Transmission8
- Body4
- Fuel system4
- Brakes3
- Lights3
- Seats3
- Tires3
- Visibility3
- Acceleration2
- Driver assistance2
- Steering2
- Suspension2
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230
Check engine light 8No deployment 7Airbag light 6Loss of power 5Stalling 5
Recalls 4
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 the federal safety agency recall number 22V‑954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Recall number 24V874000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 the federal safety agency recall number 19V‑918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Recall number 22V954000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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:
- Risk
- A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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 number 19V918000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 16V081000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230
Defect investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 66
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- To enhance the satisfaction of our customers, avoid further costs of litigation and return focus to its...
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper...
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamps leaking or fogged
What 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 approximately 2 minutes later the entire car and cabin was engulfed in flames. Car was deemed a total loss with front end, cabin, and areas near the back seat/ window were burned to complete bare metal. Emergency personnel numerous times mentioned how lucky occupant was since these types of vehicle fires are typically fatal followed by the speed of fire it had spread throughout the process when engulfed.
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 model
Tl* 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 contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
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
I purchased the car and about 1 week later the battery had drained. I purchased a new one then about 3 weeks later it drained again and again and again. It keeps draining no matter how many times I replace it. I have only put about 200 miles on the car since I purchased it years ago because of this. I replaced the tires once and the battery numerous times. I paid $6,500.00 for a car I can't even drive.
On the highway car shut down shop said the w shaped fuel tank failed to send fuel from passenger side to the driver side. Also numerous time speed has accelerated independantly bumped in parking lot no air bag deployed seat malfunctions when moving it its stuck and crooked cant reach pedals and loss of power even after fuel repairs before as well. Sunroof motor works when it wants to and constant fuses blowing and lights all the time. Door locks also get stuck. Battery also drains itself all the time and has bad cylinders. I could have been killed but thanks for the benz its otherwise great what a joke.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes benz c230. The contact stated that the sunroof track detached without warning. The contact stated that water leaked into the vehicle from the sunroof. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility) which informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Hi my name is [xxx] I own the vehicle describe and provided the VIN nr I went to the mercedes benz of portland or situated in 1605 s.w naito pkwy portlland oregon on the date of 3 october 2019 because this car have a s.r.s recall they make me waiting from 10;16 to 15;41 but they du not want to solve all the recall for free motivated the company they do not allow to change every sensor for free because on the cost too big !!! The car have several issue since that and I am on disability I can change those issue by myself please take note and helping me >thank you very mach [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *cc *tr
I have been notified about the safety air bag recall however, I have just found oil in my wiring harness. My car is idling very rough and stalling, the check engine light is on, I received 8 codes. I have oil in my camshaft wiring harness, my piston 1 fuel inject, spark plugs, and front of the engine where camshaft adjuster magnets are covered in black sludge oil. Another mercedes owner told me the same thing happened to his car and was "pigtailed" there has been a recall on this issue for this type of car 2005 c230 kompressor sport the recall number is #200910001. I would like for the mercedes benz dealership to resolve this issue, I need a government letter to be approved. May you please assist me with this request?
Compare the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230
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Questions about the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230
Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 reliable?
Owners have filed 85 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230, 1.6 times a typical C230 model year.
What is the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 year score?
The 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 scores 50 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz C230: 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 C230?
Airbags, with 50 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is engine (15).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 have?
4 recalls, covering visibility and air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 16V081000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes Benz C230 have bad airbags?
The Mercedes Benz C230 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (52 complaints), 2005 (50 complaints) and 2006 (26 complaints).
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