2005 Mercedes-benz C-class
The Verdict
The 2005 Mercedes-benz C-class has 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (70 complaints) and engine (33 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 66/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Mercedes-benz C-class, consider the 2024 model year which has 91% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2024 has 91% fewer complaints
View the 2024 Mercedes-benz C-class dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 66 | 6 | 71 | 39 | 8 |
| 2003 | 26 | 1 | 24 | 48 | 7 |
| 2004 | 26 | 4 | 15 | 30 | 2 |
| 2005 | 26 | 1 | 70 | 33 | 10 |
| 2006 | 27 | 2 | 42 | 88 | 23 |
| 2007 | 28 | 3 | 58 | 145 | 44 |
| 2008 | 145 | 15 | 614 | 46 | 14 |
| 2009 | 151 | 24 | 439 | 40 | 9 |
| 2010 | 106 | 8 | 303 | 40 | 16 |
| 2011 | 120 | 12 | 307 | 62 | 9 |
| 2012 | 132 | 22 | 321 | 94 | 6 |
| 2013 | 163 | 16 | 296 | 82 | 10 |
| 2014 | 64 | 11 | 170 | 33 | 6 |
| 2015 | 167 | 8 | 51 | 191 | 13 |
| 2016 | 115 | 8 | 27 | 154 | 11 |
| 2017 | 102 | 5 | 31 | 108 | 6 |
| 2018 | 58 | 3 | 18 | 43 | 3 |
| 2019 | 31 | 5 | 10 | 24 | 3 |
| 2020 | 25 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
| 2022 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2005 Mercedes-benz C-class stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
Just recently while driving with my front windows opened on my Mercedes 2005 C 320, I heard a Big thump on the passenger side of vehicle. At first, I thought it was a bird that flew in to Car. So, stopped and parked by the side of road to discover that the Passenger Head Rest on passenger side just broke off for NO REASON! I complained to local Mercedes Dealership in Palm Springs, CA. and they told me there was No RECALL and nothing they could do. This is upsetting because it cannot get fixed and I would have to phone Mercedes back East for old parts that match. Please help me.
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)
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
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240. The contact stated that rainwater had entered the vehicle through the sunroof and damaged the computer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility) after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who declined the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
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.
WHILE DRIVING, MY SON WAS USING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS SMOKING, WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN THE BACK OF MY SONS SWEATSHIRT.
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 NHTSA 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 *JS
THE BATTERY KEEP DRAINING WHICH MAKE THHE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE
A SMALL SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR LOCK BREAKS WHICH KEEPS THE DOOR FROM OPENING ONCE LOCKED. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPAIR HOW TO VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF A PERSON IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDS TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY, THIS BROKEN LOCK CAN KEEP THEM STUCK INSIDE THE CAR UNABLE TO ESCAPE.
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?
I WENT TO CHANGE MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION ALL FLAKING OFF TO ABOUT SIX INCHES FROM THE BULB CONNECTOR. I SEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND OTHERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME THING. I SUSPECT SINCE THESE WIRES ARE HIDDEN INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE COMMON.
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY I HEARD THIS LOUD EXPLOSION. MY EARS WERE RINGING AND I FELT AS IF IT WAS RAINING BUT ONLY GLASS. LUCKILY IT DID NOT GET INTO MY EYES AND I STOPPED THE VEHICLE SAFELY AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT EVERYTHING IS INTACT AND I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER OBJECT; HOWEVER, MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, MERCEDES BENZ, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS RELATED TO SAFETY AND I REALLY THINK THAT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
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.
"TAKATA RECALL" THE CAR HAS A GAS SMELL ESPECIALLY WHEN WE TURN THE HEATERS ON/ IT IS VERY STRONG FUMES & THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BE ROLLED DOWN WHEN DRIVING/ HAS A GAS LEAK
AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ENGINE STARTED VIBRATING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE TIMING CHAIN CAM SPROCKET TEETH WERE WORN OUT CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. RESEARCH SHOWED THIS IS COMMON FACTORY DEFECT WITH THESE ENGINES SINCE MERCEDES USED SOFT METAL FOR THE SPROCKETS CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR. I CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL OR CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL AND RECOMMENDED THE CAR BE TOWED TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER INFORMED ME THEY REQUIRE $200 FEE TO INSPECT THE CAR AND THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WILL COST ME $10,000-15,000. THE CARE IS 13 YEARS OLD AND HAS 135,000 AND OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW IS IT THAT MERCEDES CAN ADVERTISE THEIR SLOGAN "THE BEST OR NOTHING" WHEN THEY MANUFACTURE ENGINES THAT ARE DESTROYED AT SUCH RELATIVE LOW MILEAGE? I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AND WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF OR OTHERS.
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