2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems
NHTSA has received 39 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240, and 21% of them involve air bags. After that come engine (10%) and fuel system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 39 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 67,000 miles 28 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 | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 28 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 67,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
It is also covered by 3 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 2005 mercedes-benz c240. While the contact's vehicle was parked, it was struck on the rear passenger side by a motorcycle. The front passenger, steering wheel, and rear passenger air bags deployed. The contact injured his right arm, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and recovered from a salvage yard. A police report was filed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. There were no recalls available. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 22,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 mercedes-benz c240. The contact was calling on behalf of her spouse. While the vehicle was stationary at an entrance to a fuel station, a motorcyclist driving 40 MPH t-boned the contact's vehicle. The crash damaged the rear passenger door and part of the front passenger door. The steering wheel air bag and front driver and passenger side air bags deployed.
While driving along at 45 MPH the front drivers seat heating element was activated. It was switched on to its highest setting. In approximately one minute the front seatback left side bolster caught fire burning a dime size hole and burning the fleece vest worn by the driver. The vehicle was immediately slowed to stop along the highway shoulder and the driver exited after turning off the dash switch. The smoldering stopped.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz c240. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a residential garage, he noticed a large puddle of fuel had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that there was a fracture in the fuel tank that needed to be replaced. The fuel tank was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 60,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 06/05/12 updated 06/06/12
The electronic warning sign for unlocked seat belt comes on while the car is moving, including at high speed on freeways. Unlocking and re-locking the seat-belt does not fix the problem. This problem has been occurring on and off for a couple of years and I am concerned about the potential the airbag may not deploy appropriately in case an accident/collision.