Mercedes Benz / C230 / 2005
2005 Mercedes Benz C230 problems
Owners have filed 120 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 with NHTSA. Air bags account for 41.7% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 10%.
Complaints120
Crashes16
Fires8
Injuries15
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 41.7% · 50
Electrical system 10.0% · 12
Engine and engine cooling 7.5% · 9
Power train 6.7% · 8
Engine 5.0% · 6
Structure 3.3% · 4
Exterior lighting 2.5% · 3
Unknown or other 2.5% · 3
Severity
Of those complaints, 16 describe a crash, 8 describe a fire and 15 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 3 model years of the Mercedes Benz C230 in this data, 2005 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2007 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 82,926 miles.
In owners' own words
In march 2006, we received safety recall notice #2006-020005 for our 2005 mercedes C230, for an issue with the airbag system in the vehicle. Over the last 70 days, I have called leith mercedes in raleigh, nc five times to schedule the vehicle for repair under this recall and I am told the parts are still on backorder from germany and it will be 6 to 8 weeks before they can conduct the repair. Air bags
I was involved in a 1 vehicle accident where the driver, left curtain and left side airbags were deployed. Upon close examination of the failing driver's airbag, I found obvious signs of perforations and burn-through. I was injured on my chin, face and forehead. This airbag was just recently replaced under recall campaign at the end of october this year, part of the takata ordeal. Air bags · reported at 90,000 miles
My family and I were hit in a car accident head on by a driver going approx. 60 Mph. Our Mercedes Benz C230's airbags did not deploy. The car was equipped with 6 air bags and not 1 deployed. We have contacted mercedes but to no avail. We would like some help as what to do to make sure this does not happen to another family and they may not be as "lucky" as we were. Air bags · reported at 74,532 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…