2003 Mercedes-Benz 240 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 19%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,350miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 240, 19% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,350 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After purchasing car in 2007 used with 60k miles, taking vehicle in for all scheduled maintenance, driivng only 40k over 4 years,the vehecle needed a new transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10452045, filed 2012-03, 100,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 mercedes c240. While driving 75 MPH on a freeway he heard banging noises coming from the engine and then he saw smoke. After he pulled over he saw flames coming from underneath of the vehicle. The fire department was contacted. When they arrived the entire front-end of the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The dealer was contacted and they stated that they will put n the claim and that they will give him a call back. …”
NHTSA complaint #10296291, filed 2009-12, 14,649 miles“The contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz 240. The contact heard a loud clanking noise coming from underneath the rear of the vehicle. While driving 40 MPH or turning, the noise worsened. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the radiator and converter; however, the noise continued. Later, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the water pump. She believes that a recall should be issued for these failures. The failure mileage was 37,011 and current mileage was 48,673. …”
NHTSA complaint #10273612, filed 2009-06, 37,011 milesEngine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 240
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz 240
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology