2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 problems
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 has 154 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (34%) concerns engine. Next are air bags (17%) and drivetrain & axles (17%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 154 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 34% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 10 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 71,000 miles 103 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 | 11 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 29 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 103 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 71,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 74,000 miles (39 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 10 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Mercedes-Benz C230 with enough data (54 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 mercedes benz c230. While merging onto an intersection at 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed directly into the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle sustained severe damage. None of the air bags deployed and the seat belts failed to retract properly. Three occupants were moderately injured. The contact has a copy of the police report and pictures of the failed incident. He is in the process of calling the manufacturer in reference to NHTSA campaign id numbers 05v560000 (air bags).
Tl* takata recall. The contact owned a 2006 mercedes-benz c230. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a side impact collision with a firetruck. The air bags deployed. There were three injuries that required medical attention. The front driver sustained lacerations to the face due to the air bag deployment, the passenger sustained brain damage, and the rear passenger sustained moderate bruising and pain. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed.
We own a mercedes benz c230. The check engine light came on. We took it to the dealer and it was diagnosed with a balance shaft error. It turns out the balance shaft is broken. The part cost only about $400. But since replacing it requires pulling out and taking a part the engine, the repair is over $3000. We have been advised not to drive the vehicle. It has not been repaired.
My first incidence was driving and the steering would all of a sudden get stiff like it needed power steering fluid or something. Check it wasn't the fluid (this happened a few month ago I thought hmmm probably just something freaky) then 1/8/16 riding down the busy interstate highway the car acceleration just left. I pressed the accelerator to the floor but no speed. It was extremely scary. I had the car checked out...it's the classic problem I never heard of until today.