Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE | |||||
| 2008020002 | 08/01/2008 | 10027826 | Mercedes-benz: daimler ag has determined that the engine vent hose on subject vehicles may not conform to specifications. cracks may develop in the vent hose over time and in the worst case result in a rough running engine. *pe | 02/10/2009 | |
| 2008020002 | 03/01/2008 | 10024662 | Model c230, model years 2003-2005 - replace engine vent hoses. *nj | 05/02/2008 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| 033008 | 04/24/2008 | SB-03-30-08E | 10022893 | Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit. mercedes-benz model c230, c280, c350, slk280, slk350, clk350, clk550, e350, e550, cls550, s600, and sl550. equipped with m272 engine or m273 engine. *nj | 10/03/2007 |
| 070021F | 07/11/2003 | 070021E | 10002965 | Engine ticking (piston slap like sound) noise when accelerating between 1200 and 3000 rpm. *tt | 10/02/2003 |
| 032006 | 12/18/2002 | 10000630 | Engine oil leaks. *tt | 03/26/2003 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 06/23/2003 | 90000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 mercedes c230. the contact was driving the vehicle and a lot of smoke started coming from the exhaust pipe. the contact stated the smoke was blinding drivers behind the vehicle. the contact stated the vehicle lost quite a lot of power and caused them to pull over to the side of the road. the contact stated the police stopped to look at the vehicle because they received report of a vehicle on fire. the contact caller the manufacturer and had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was told an engine valve was found in the manifold that had melted in two pieces. the failure mileage and current mileages were 90,000.rl | |||
| 03/01/2011 | 68000 | ||
| I have 2003 mercedes benz c230. whenever i would start the vehicle it would give me jerk or make noice and finally just before taking it to a dealer it stalled. i had it towed. the vehicle was taken to a local shop, which suggested that the problem is much larger and needs the attention of the manufacturer and hence to taken to the dealer. it was diagnosed as the timing chain was defective and the local shop owner said this was a common problem with this vehicle and a serious problem with major cost to fix. the manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle is not repaired as the cost of fix is as large as the cars current value. the failure and current mileage is 68000. | |||
| 11/18/2010 | 97000 | ||
| Leak on the antifreeze coolant tank where the thin hose connects to the coolant tank on top, the steel tube that is molded into the plastic slipped out and the plastic part cracked creating a leak. the antifreeze may leak and accummulate under the car, it can damage the engine, also it can leak while driving causing hazardous / slippery conditions, also children or pets / animals may drink the leaked antifreeze. this is dangerous. | |||
| 08/27/2009 | 71145 | 1 | |
| Engine harness and camshaft solenoids contaminated due to leaking oil which subsequently required replacement of o2 sensors. *tr | |||
| 03/30/2009 | 40000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c230. when the vehicle was started, it shook uncontrollably and the check engine indicator illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the engine oil was leaking and damaged the wiring harness and oxygen sensor. the repair would cost $2,000. the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty; therefore, they were not responsible for the repair. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure and current mileages were 40,000. | |||
| 09/01/2008 | 65000 | 1 | |
| Check engine light came on. i took it to the dealer and they told me that the o2 sensor needs to be replaced, and the engine harness needs to be replaced. this is because the cam sensor leaked and pushed oil inside the harness and now there is oil flowing in the harness. this means everywhere there is a contact of the harness there is a possibility that there is oil on it. this seems to have become a common issue now and mercedes is ignoring it. i have noticed that i am getting bad mileage because of the bad o2 sensor. the irony is that the dealer will fix it with the same exact part number only to have it leak again in 4 years. *tr | |||
| 05/28/2008 | 53000 | 1 | |
| The check engine light goes on, the next day i go to independent mercedes shop. they tell me my o2 sensors are bad. the reason that they are bad because of the cam sensor at the top end of the motor was leaking. the whole time it was leaking i didn't even know. then the bad new everything has been coated in oil such as o2 sensors that is it gives out the check engine light. the engine harness is also coated in oil. *tr | |||
| 04/05/2008 | 65000 | 1 | |
| Camshaft magnet leaking pushing oil through engine harness harness, ecu, o2 sensors needs to be replaced. $3,700. *tr | |||
| 02/20/2008 | 46646 | 2 | 07/01/2005 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c230. the vehicle would only start after several attempts. sometimes after the vehicle was started, it would fail and not restart. the dealer stated that there was a crack in the pcv hose. the cost for the repair was $404.27. the same day the vehicle was repaired, it failed while approaching a red light. the following day, she returned to the dealer and they stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. the repair cost was $389.82. the current mileage was 47,022 and failure mileage was 46,646. updated 05/05/08. *lj updated 05/05/08 *jb | |||
| 10/12/2005 | 21000 | 8 | 02/03/2003 |
| I am the owner of a c-230 4 door sedan vin# wdbrf40j93f386357. i have an issue that i was looking into addressing when another major issue just arrose that i need help from the manufacturer who i have contacted but not received a response. 1) last week i decided to quote insurance and make a change to allstate. once they put in the vin# major issues came. the price was way different then what i was paying with mercury. to make this short, after talking to my broker at mercury, it turns out my 4 door has the vin# of a 2 door coupe. i called beverly hills ltd where i purchased the car new. they did nothing. i have the original temp registration from the day i purchased the car new, and the dealer typed coupe not four door and on the lease agreement. i did not notice this. here are my issues. the coupe is more expensive on insurance - i have been overpaying since 2/2003. 2nd, am i paying a fair lease rate if the vin# is for another body style. this car has been nothing but nightmare to deal with since the day i purchased it. it has been serviced 8 times, transmission work, 2 computers, camshaft, new radio, idle issues, brake system failed, and so on. it's a complete lemon. it is going in next week again. i have only 21,000 on the car, and drive my 2nd car more a 79 300sd mercedes as it is more reliable then this new car. i need somewhere, someone to go to, any information would be greatly appreciated. thanks so much, darren weingarten - phone or email *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 01/22/2011 | 92000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz c230. the contact stated that whenever she would start the vehicle, it would jerk violently. the vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft sensor was leaking and the timing chain was defective. the manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was repaired. the vin was unavailable. the failure and current mileage was 92,000. | |||
| 01/22/2011 | 92000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2003 mercedes c230. the contact stated that when she started the vehicle it would jerk violently. the vehicle was taken to a local shop who diagnosed that the cam shaft sensor was leaking and the timing chain was defective. the manufacturer was contacted who did not offered any assistance. the vehicle was repaired. the vehicle identification number was not available. the failure and current mileage was 92,000. pm | |||
| 07/10/2009 | 72850 | 1 | |
| C230k coupe at 73,000 miles with sudden valve guides worn bad cylinder,compression loss recently in april i was called into mbz for a recall on a vacuum hose, here i am a few months later and i | |||
| 12/27/2006 | 125000 | 1 | 02/01/2004 |
| 2003 mercedes c230- purchased new- bought extended warranty. have followed maintenance program religiously. last b service was dec 4th-$900.00 on dec 27- car completely died & smoke coming out the back- coolant light on. towed to closest dealer- they can't tell me why it happened but- the spark plugs soaked w/coolant, #2 plug smashed on top, #2 cylinder intake valve bent & broken. #2 &4 pistons damaged. even though extended warranty is up- mercedes will not stand behind the car- say can not pin point a mfg defect even though this rarely happens even with high miles- mercedes benz usually can get well over 200,000 miles. now cost is $8,000 to put in rebuilt motor or $11,000 to repair damaged one- something had to cause this- there were posts on your site from 2003 regarding engine & cooling issues but could not find more detailed info- nhtsa item# 10002965- do you have more info or give me advice? *jb | |||
| 04/05/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer disappointed with her problematic, unreliable and potentially unsafe vehicle. *ph the window seals scratched the glass tint. the radio reception was poor and the keyless entry system only worked at close range. the technician indicated that the tint was likely the cause of the poor reception and inability to use the entry system at further distances. the dealer installed scraper seals to alleviate the scratching. the vehicle shut off five times in a 45 min period and all the service lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken tot he dealer who determined that a cylinder had misfired and water was in the spark plugs. the dealer replaced he cylinder head and all valves. the bas, esp and abs light illuminated while driving. there was a lack of airflow power when the a/c was used. the vehicle hesitated when accelerating. there was a strong mildew odor coming through the vents. cd skipped when turning corners. a rattling noise could be heard from the engine while the a/c was on. *nm | |||
| 03/04/2003 | 4497 | 5 | 10/01/2002 |
| New car died in middle of the road. vehicle stalled when coming to a stop. *bf the consumer believes the vehicle continued to stall die to faulty engineering of the vacuum and compression systems. the vehicle has been taken to the dealer five times for this problem but no matter how many times the parts were replaced the vehicle continues to stall. the dealer replaced broken vacuum hose, brake booster hose and oxygen sensor. *nm | |||
| 03/10/2003 | 1400 | 3 | 01/29/2003 |
| This is a new mercedes-benz c230 compressor engine with one thousand miles. last month a sulfur smell emitted from the exhaust while warming. i was told this is normal. three times this week on ignition the car shook violently and would not stop until the engine was turned off. the car is drivable and i have returned it to the dealer. they are attempting to fix it. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 11/08/2006 | 80000 | 1 | 04/01/2003 |
| The 2003 mercerdes benz 300c engine suddenly caught on fire while driving it to work. the car stalled, flames shoot out the front hood, the car would not restart, so i coasted to the firm. i opened the hood to see blue flames shoopt 20 feet in the air. a passerby tried to put out the firwe unsucessfully with a fire extiquisher. the flames got hotter and shot 60 feet in the air, and police and fire department responded and were finally able to put out the fire . the engine block melted down ,and there was a large hole burnt into the pasenger space. the car was totaled. i wrote mercedes benz, and they were being nonresponsive. i have photos of the melted engine block and the large hole burned into the pasenger space through the engine firewall. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 07/15/2005 | 18000 | 1 | 05/22/2003 |
| Dt*: the contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, there were exhaust fumes entering the cab of the vehicle from an unknown area. the fumes caused the contact to develop headaches. the vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to determine the problem. | |||
| 10/12/2005 | 21000 | 8 | 02/03/2003 |
| I am the owner of a c-230 4 door sedan vin# wdbrf40j93f386357. i have an issue that i was looking into addressing when another major issue just arrose that i need help from the manufacturer who i have contacted but not received a response. 1) last week i decided to quote insurance and make a change to allstate. once they put in the vin# major issues came. the price was way different then what i was paying with mercury. to make this short, after talking to my broker at mercury, it turns out my 4 door has the vin# of a 2 door coupe. i called beverly hills ltd where i purchased the car new. they did nothing. i have the original temp registration from the day i purchased the car new, and the dealer typed coupe not four door and on the lease agreement. i did not notice this. here are my issues. the coupe is more expensive on insurance - i have been overpaying since 2/2003. 2nd, am i paying a fair lease rate if the vin# is for another body style. this car has been nothing but nightmare to deal with since the day i purchased it. it has been serviced 8 times, transmission work, 2 computers, camshaft, new radio, idle issues, brake system failed, and so on. it's a complete lemon. it is going in next week again. i have only 21,000 on the car, and drive my 2nd car more a 79 300sd mercedes as it is more reliable then this new car. i need somewhere, someone to go to, any information would be greatly appreciated. thanks so much, darren weingarten - phone or email *jb | |||
| 03/10/2003 | 1400 | 3 | 01/29/2003 |
| This is a new mercedes-benz c230 compressor engine with one thousand miles. last month a sulfur smell emitted from the exhaust while warming. i was told this is normal. three times this week on ignition the car shook violently and would not stop until the engine was turned off. the car is drivable and i have returned it to the dealer. they are attempting to fix it. *jb | |||