VehicleVerdict

2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other C240 years?

C240 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted39 complaints2001: 11 complaints2002: 16 complaints2003: 29 complaints2004: 31 complaints2005: 39 complaints2007: 1 complaints
C240 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C240 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System828%
Airbags517%
Electrical System517%
Body & Structure27%
Tires & Wheels27%
Visibility & Wipers27%
Engine27%
Lighting27%
Seat Belts13%

Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V874000Visibility & WipersNovember 19, 2024 · 33,456 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

22V954000Visibility & WipersDecember 23, 2022 · 131,653 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

19V918000Visibility & WipersDecember 20, 2019 · 747,928 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Consequence

A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I BOUGHT THE CAR YESTERDAY, AND TODAY REALIZED THE CAR IS LEAKING FUEL, POOLING UNDER THE BACK SEAT AND SPILLING OUT UNDER THE CAR. THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL NOT WORK; WE TRIED 3 BULBS. THE PANEL DISPLAYS A MESSAGE STATING ONE OF THE TAG LIGHTS IS OUT, BUT IT ACTUALLY WORKS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 6, 2016

“I WAS ALWAYS GETTING AN ERROR MESSAGE TELLING ME MY REAR LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY TRUNK, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AND THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. CAR WOULD NOT START, TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. CAR WAS TOTALED BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 30, 2014 · fire

“I WAS ALWAYS GETTING AN ERROR MESSAGE TELLING ME MY REAR LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY TRUNK, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AND THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. CAR WOULD NOT START, TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. CAR WAS TOTALED BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 30, 2014 · fire

“I WAS ALWAYS GETTING AN ERROR MESSAGE TELLING ME MY REAR LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN MY TRUNK, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AND THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. CAR WOULD NOT START, TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. CAR WAS TOTALED BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 30, 2014 · fire

“HARMONIC BALANCER /CRANK PULLEY WOBBLING VERY BAD . AFRAID IT WILL COME APART AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE WHILE MY KIDS ARE DRIVING. MERCEDES COVERED THIS PART UNDER SAME ENGINE FAMILY BUT ONLY FROM MODEL YEARS 1998-2001. WOULD LIKE THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAME FAULTY PART AS THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 24, 2017

2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 — common questions

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 C240 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (8 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), airbags (5 complaints).

Does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz C240 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C240 years to avoid are 2005. The cleanest record among C240 years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.