2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 32,073miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and air bags (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 71% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,073 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 33%
- Engine cooling2 22%
- Air bags1 11%
- Equipment1 11%
- Fuel system1 11%
- Other or unknown1 11%
- Seat belts1 11%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10198454, filed 2007-08, 43,620 milesEngine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10253108, filed 2008-12, 70,003 milesAir bags: “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. Updated 07/08/11”
NHTSA complaint #10404062, filed 2011-06, 20,000 milesEquipment: “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..”
NHTSA complaint #10198649, filed 2007-08, 32,073 milesMileage when problems were reported
71% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 43,620 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10028147Sep 17, 2008Fuel system. 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).
- 10025642Mar 28, 2008Electronic stability control. 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.
- 10017494Oct 1, 2005Electrical system. A software characteristic may affect the rational speed of the starter. The engine control unit will be reprogrammed.
- 10014547Mar 9, 2005Equipment. High-pitched whining noise heard on telephone/vcs/tele aid calls.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 13 | 40,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 9 | 5,100 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 5 | 76,640 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 15 | 21,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 9 | 32,073 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 31 | 65,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 14 | 72,193 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 8 | 58,800 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 7 | 123,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 6 | 173,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | 100,646 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 49 | 107,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 15 | 122,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
All Mercedes-Benz C Class model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,073 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 43,620 miles; 71% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.