1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 problems
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 has 54 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (17%) concerns electrical system. Next are suspension (17%) and fuel system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 54 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 128,000 miles 22 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 22 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 128,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Mercedes-Benz C230 with enough data (24 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
01 v 366 000/battery: when the consumer removed the battery from the trunk and placed it on a crate to check the water level, it all of a sudden exploded in the consumers face. The consumer sustained acid burns, cuts and bruises to his face. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The consumer stated that he was not touching the battery at the time of explosion.
My left front spring perch rusted off the frame and my front wheel came off the car as I was driving. The right perch was rusted and it had to be repaired also.
This vehicle has been in for service 16 times in 24 mo. Manufacturer refuses to discuss "lemon law" issues. Vehicle becoming more unsafe as time progresses.
Spring mount brackets, driving car turned left into lot car felt like it dropped a foot took to nearest auto place, pepboys the service guy turned the wheel and the spring shot out of the car amost severley injuring him. Missed him by an inch. Took to mercedes body shop fixed it but said the other will do the same thing. I asked the service tec. If this has happened on other cars. His reply shocked me when he said several times on the c280 never has happened on the c230. It happened!!!!
When using the cigarette lighter, the dashboard began to smoke without warning. No fire reported. Please provide additional information.