The PRINX tires and the dealer - Mavis Tires, Auburn Avenue, Columbus, Georgia, are equally to blame for the flat I had in traffic endangering myself and other motorists with Brand New Prinx Tires, and also the skid I had at an intersection in Columbus Georgia. It's the old story of Chinese aftermarket parts that do not fit causing accidents. Prinx pushes Mavis to make sales of their 205/55/16 even though my Mercedes C240 door panel sticker shows the brands Mercedes lists for safety as in climates averaging 39 degrees and above for traction size 225/50/16 has to be placed in the rear (205 only on the front) and I did by buying more tires I didn't need and that stopped the skidding. MAVIS also installed the Prinx tires pretending to have replaced the dry-rotted stems, I had a flat at an intersection endangering other drivers, my wheel was also damaged. I have replaced the other stems and the rear tires which did not fit and had poor traction, but MAVIS will not exchange with me for a proper fit. I think Mavis should be fined as they are endangering motorists by not replacing dry-rotted stems to pinch pennies and deliberately placing tires on the rear despite the door sticker warning for size and fit and brand. The Prinx tires are also low on the ground like a go-cart, making the car harder to maneuver. The Better Business Bureau has so many complaints against Mavis Tire, home office New York, that I didn't bother. Air Force Veteran [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2003 Mercedes Benz C240 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.
- Fuel system8
- Airbags5
- Electrical4
- Body2
- Engine2
- Lights2
- Tires2
- Visibility2
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mercedes Benz C240
Recalls 3
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Mercedes Benz C240 40
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- 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
- Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output
What 2003 Mercedes Benz C240 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
2003 mercedes benz c240. Consumer writes in regard to rust issue with vehicle.
2003 mercedes benz c240. Consumer writes in regards to sunroof glass bonding safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the roof contiuously became rusted due to a water leak.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz c240. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken mercedes-benz of charlottesville (1381 richmond rd, charlottesville, va 22911, (434) 290-4156) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
As a time my vehicle needs to be renewal with california dmv , the recall part has not been available from mercedes manufacture. Mercedes benz does not provide any future time frame for the recall part that will effects on my vehicle registration renewal with dmv (it also means my renewal with dmv will be on hold and I don not have any other vehicle to drive if it happens by the time the current vehicle registration expired). I already contacted with local mercedes dealer and mercedes benz us but they can not do anything with the recall any time soon before my current registration ends. My vehicle is currently using and have no issue but I need to redeem a recall part so I can get a new vehicle registration at dmv.
The back side of the tires crack open around the rim.
Harmonic balancer /crank pulley wobbling very bad . Afraid it will come apart and cause catastrophic damage while my kids are driving. Mercedes covered this part under same engine family but only from model years 1998-2001. Would like them to take responsibility for the same faulty part as the others.
Takata recall SRS warning light on
After filling my gas tank, there's a very strong raw gas odor inside the car while driving, and when parked. Seems stronger in the backseat. I see there's a extended warranty for this issue from mercedes benz on the e class for my year (2003). That warranty extension should have covered all classes with similar design or the same problem. The fumes are so strong I am afraid any spark could ignite the vapors. I really need your help! If mercedes benz acknowledged problems with my year (2003), it should include my c class unless they can establish the issues are totally unrelated in nature. Thank you for your assistance.
I bought the car yesterday, and today realized the car is leaking fuel, pooling under the back seat and spilling out under the car. The passenger headlight will not work; we tried 3 bulbs. The panel displays a message stating one of the tag lights is out, but it actually works.
Compare the 2003 Mercedes Benz C240
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Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz C240
Is the 2003 Mercedes Benz C240 reliable?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2003 Mercedes Benz C240, 1.3 times a typical C240 model year.
What is the 2003 Mercedes Benz C240 year score?
The 2003 Mercedes Benz C240 scores 66 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz C240: 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 C240?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 8 complaints, typically around 134,000 miles. Next is airbags (5).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercedes Benz C240 have?
3 recalls, covering visibility.
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