Mercedes Benz / C320 / 2001
2001 Mercedes Benz C320 problems
Owners have filed 117 complaints about the 2001 Mercedes Benz C320 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 22.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of seats at 16.2%.
Complaints117
Crashes8
Fires3
Injuries0
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 22.2% · 26
Seats 16.2% · 19
Engine and engine cooling 9.4% · 11
Exterior lighting 6.8% · 8
Visibility 5.1% · 6
Equipment 5.1% · 6
Vehicle speed control 4.3% · 5
Air bags 4.3% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire.
Reading the numbers
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 10 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Mercedes Benz C320 2001 model. Power seat module shorts and drains battery. The constant draw off the system could at some point, cause a fire, while driving or over night in garage. 2 Twice it was failed within a 1 yr time frame. Dealer charge $1000.00 To fix the problem only to have it happen again. Dealer would not supply old part for inspection. Electrical system · reported at 65,000 miles
I am the owner of a 2001 C320 Mercedes Benz. I purchased this vehicle back in july of 2003. I have always had complaints about my front seats draining my battery I was told again just recently that it was a problem with that model and year. I think mercedes should recall this problem and correct it immediately. Electrical system
I just bought the car and two days later the smart key won't turn, can't unlock the steering wheel and the shiffter the good think the car was parked on my drive way call tow truck take to the shop and they say I need a new key and ignition control module but only dealer can do that, $1,400.00 Dollars job Electrical system · reported at 109,042 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…