2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 33%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,620miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class, 33% of the 9 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,620 miles.
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.
“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 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10134422, filed 2005-08, 18,300 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017494Oct 1, 2005A software characteristic may affect the rational speed of the starter. The engine control unit will be reprogrammed.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 7 | 54% |
| 2006 | 1 | 11% |
| 2005 | 1 | 20% |
| 2004 | 2 | 13% |
| 2003 | 3 | 33% |
| 2002 | 10 | 32% |
| 2001 | 4 | 29% |
| 2000 | 1 | 13% |
| 1999 | 3 | 43% |
| 1996 | 5 | 83% |
| 1995 | 45 | 92% |
| 1994 | 10 | 67% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C Class
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology