Mercedes Benz C Class 2003
Model C Class made in 2003 by Mercedes Benz got 34 consumer complains as well as 7 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags and electrical system. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system and electronic stability control.
Model 2003
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 2005100005 | 10/01/2005 | 10017494 | A software characteristic may affect the rational speed of the starter. the engine control unit will be reprogrammed. *tt | 11/08/2005 | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL | |||||
| PB 42-45-98 | 03/28/2008 | 10025642 | Model 203 (c) series from production 8/1/01 to 2/1/03 and model 209 (clk) series up to production 2/1/03; esp visit workshop with fault code c1185. *pe | 08/27/2008 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||||
| 2003090005 | 03/01/2004 | 10006768 | Engine control module may have been flashed incorrectly, thus affecting engine emissions. this also includes mercedes slk-class 2003. *tt | 05/12/2004 | |
| EQUIPMENT | |||||
| 8270314B | 03/09/2005 | 8270314C | 10014547 | High-pitched whining noise heard on telephone/vcs/tele aid calls. *tt | 05/04/2005 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - MOUNTING | |||||
| PB-61-10-07 | 09/17/2008 | 10028147 | Mercedes: replacing the longitudinal member (left and right) below the main floor panel on all my 204 up to 12/31/07. (c300, c350, c300 4-matic, c63 ame). *pe | 03/05/2009 | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - MOUNTING | |||||
| PB-61-10-07 | 09/17/2008 | 10028147 | Mercedes: replacing the longitudinal member (left and right) below the main floor panel on all my 204 up to 12/31/07. (c300, c350, c300 4-matic, c63 ame). *pe | 03/05/2009 | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||||
| 424638 | 04/01/2004 | 10006927 | Bleed brake system and check brake system for air on the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system using star diagnosis. also includes mercedes-benz 211 model my2004. *tt | 05/19/2004 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 07/28/2009 | 20000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c240. the contact stated while driving 15 mph the vehicle in front of him suddenly stopped causing him to crash into the rear of the vehicle. the passenger seat belt did not hold the passenger in the front seat which caused her head to hit the windshield. both the driver and passenger side air bags did not deploy. the vehicle was destroyed. the passenger was taken to the hospital for a head injury. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed by the insurance company. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 20,000. | |||
| 07/28/2009 | 20000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c240. the contact stated while driving 15 mph the vehicle in front of him stop suddenly and he crashed into the rear of the vehicle. the passenger seat belt did not hold the passenger in the front seat causing her head to hit the windsheild and both the driver and passenger side air bags did not deploy. the vehicle was destroyed. the passenger was taken to the hospital for head injuries. a police report is available if needed. the insurance company towed the vehicle. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 20,000...mw | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 12/17/2008 | 70003 | 1 | |
| 2003 mercedes c240 stalls immediately after prolonged turnpike travel ( 1.5 hours) at exit ramp to an arterial roadway. this increases rearend accident potential. mercedes checked vehicle but no report codes indicated. suggested that it may be computer of sensor related. mercedes suggested pulling over for 30 min. to let computer reset. first incident 12/17/08 second incident 12/28/08. *tr | |||
| 08/26/2005 | 18300 | 1 | 12/30/2003 |
| My mercedes-benz c-240 (2003 model), having less than 18500 miles, suddenly lost power after some 2-hour worth of free-way driving. around noon on friday, 8/26/05, i was driving south -bound on i-15 past victorville (ca), about 9 miles past the exit for route 18, when my c-240 suddenly lost power. as i depressed the accelerator, i felt no power and the rpm was decreasing. it felt like the entire engine-transmission system was shutting down. there was no prior warning. i made right turn signal letting other vehicles know i was coming off the free-way. i managed to pull off to the right shoulder safely and came to full stop on the gravel. at that time, my digital odometer read 1 malfunction. using my cell phone, i immediately called the mercedes hotline. the roadside assistance representative, kristin, advised me not to drive the vehicle, even after the 1 malfunction sign became no malfunction a little later. my vehicle was towed to a mercedes-benz dealer in riverside, some 50 miles away. at the dealers service dept, after a basic check involving computer and electronics, some faulty identifications were made, but it was determined to be safe and drivable. i drove my vehicle home, planning to have a major check up later. *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 08/01/2007 | 43620 | 1 | 06/17/2003 |
| I own a 2003 mercedes c240 station wagon with about 42000 miles, a few days ago i observed some messages on dash which seem to indicate alternator problem. my vehicle has not been heavily used and i am surprised to learn that a new alternator may be needed, this because a friend with c class sedan has had the same issue just 2 weeks ago and cost him $1500 to replace the alternator & battery. i believe there may be many more folks that experienced the same situation and probably the c class mercedes are outfitted with faulty alternators and investigation may be in order here. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 06/08/2011 | 70000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c240. the contact stated the coolant was leaking from the radiator into the transmission. the dealer was contacted who informed her she has to flush the radiator and the transmission or maybe replace the torque converter. if none of these solution works she would have to replace the transmission at a cost of over $2,000 to the contact. there are no recalls or warranty for her vehicle. the manufacturer was contacted who offered no other assistance. the failure mileage was 70,000...mw | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 12/17/2008 | 70003 | 1 | |
| 2003 mercedes c240 stalls immediately after prolonged turnpike travel ( 1.5 hours) at exit ramp to an arterial roadway. this increases rearend accident potential. mercedes checked vehicle but no report codes indicated. suggested that it may be computer of sensor related. mercedes suggested pulling over for 30 min. to let computer reset. first incident 12/17/08 second incident 12/28/08. *tr | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||
| 09/18/2006 | 32073 | 1 | 08/17/2002 |
| While driving with a/c set on auto the a/c system would suddenly turn off by itself and would turn of repeatedly when started again. during such episodes the a/c would act erratic with fans turning on and off at different outlets, cycles between heating and cooling, and makes hissing sounds. this would occur many times a day on a daily basis in summer weather (except when the car is taken to the dealer, it seems). it took about 2 years for the dealer to finally fix the problem since they could not avoid admitting its existence after i had video taped the malfunction and showed them the video.. *jb | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | |||
| 03/08/2011 | |||
| Strong odor of fuel when gas tank is full...i am not topping off the tank when i refuel...dealership states i need entire gas tank replaced at a cost of 3000.00..i purchased this car used in march 2011 with approx 107,000 miles. | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | |||
| 11/01/2008 | 1 | ||
| My 2003 c240 mercedes pilot bushing is experiencing heavy oil leak - there is a current re-call on same issue with other models. the dealer i use to service my care, refuse to repair because they said my model is not included in the re-call. 2nd issue - my driver side door handle is broken because of manufacture defects . sometimes hard to open and have to use other door to get into car, dealer refuse to replace the defect handle with good handle. *tr | |||
| OTHER | |||
| 06/01/2004 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was damaged while being shipped. *mr *sc *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE | |||
| 08/26/2005 | 18300 | 1 | 12/30/2003 |
| My mercedes-benz c-240 (2003 model), having less than 18500 miles, suddenly lost power after some 2-hour worth of free-way driving. around noon on friday, 8/26/05, i was driving south -bound on i-15 past victorville (ca), about 9 miles past the exit for route 18, when my c-240 suddenly lost power. as i depressed the accelerator, i felt no power and the rpm was decreasing. it felt like the entire engine-transmission system was shutting down. there was no prior warning. i made right turn signal letting other vehicles know i was coming off the free-way. i managed to pull off to the right shoulder safely and came to full stop on the gravel. at that time, my digital odometer read 1 malfunction. using my cell phone, i immediately called the mercedes hotline. the roadside assistance representative, kristin, advised me not to drive the vehicle, even after the 1 malfunction sign became no malfunction a little later. my vehicle was towed to a mercedes-benz dealer in riverside, some 50 miles away. at the dealers service dept, after a basic check involving computer and electronics, some faulty identifications were made, but it was determined to be safe and drivable. i drove my vehicle home, planning to have a major check up later. *jb | |||
| SEAT BELTS | |||
| 07/28/2009 | 20000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c240. the contact stated while driving 15 mph the vehicle in front of him suddenly stopped causing him to crash into the rear of the vehicle. the passenger seat belt did not hold the passenger in the front seat which caused her head to hit the windshield. both the driver and passenger side air bags did not deploy. the vehicle was destroyed. the passenger was taken to the hospital for a head injury. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed by the insurance company. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 20,000. | |||
| 07/28/2009 | 20000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c240. the contact stated while driving 15 mph the vehicle in front of him stop suddenly and he crashed into the rear of the vehicle. the passenger seat belt did not hold the passenger in the front seat causing her head to hit the windsheild and both the driver and passenger side air bags did not deploy. the vehicle was destroyed. the passenger was taken to the hospital for head injuries. a police report is available if needed. the insurance company towed the vehicle. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 20,000...mw | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 03/08/2011 | |||
| Strong odor of fuel when gas tank is full...i am not topping off the tank when i refuel...dealership states i need entire gas tank replaced at a cost of 3000.00..i purchased this car used in march 2011 with approx 107,000 miles. | |||
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 03/08/2011 | |||
| Strong odor of fuel when gas tank is full...i am not topping off the tank when i refuel...dealership states i need entire gas tank replaced at a cost of 3000.00..i purchased this car used in march 2011 with approx 107,000 miles. | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL | |||
| 03/01/2003 | 77 | 1 | 03/01/2003 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes c240. she stated that her vehicle would not accelerate fast enough to safely merge in and out of traffic. the manufacturer stated that they would be unable to assist her and they would not accept the extended warranty. the contact stated that she would file a complaint with the state attorney generals office due to her vehicle being a lemon. the failure was 77 and the current mileage was 40,900. | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | PASADENA | RUSNAK, PASADENA | ||
| IL | WEST MONT | LAUREL MERCEDES BENZ | ||
| OK | OKLAHOMA CITY | 73103 | MERCEDES-BENZ OF OKLAHOMA CITY |