1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by suspension (1) and tires (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 88,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags 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.
- Air bags2 29%
- Suspension1 14%
- Tires1 14%
Example complaints
Air bags: “While driving the vehicle at 45 MPH, without warning the consumer lost control of the vehicle and hit a guardrail head on. The consumer stated that both frontal air bags did not deploy upon impact. The driver sustained injuries as a result. Please provide any other details.”
NHTSA complaint #10054107, filed 2004-01Suspension: “The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage, a loud clanging noise was heard. Upon initial inspection, it was determined the left front side of the vehicle had fallen downward onto the left front tire. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who determined the factory welds of the strut fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 1/19/2007 -”
NHTSA complaint #10173365, filed 2006-11, 88,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Child was in vehicle and vehicle was put into reverse and rolled backwards without key in ignition or motor running. Vehicle rolled back, and hit another vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer had no response. Stated it should have only done that if key was in ignition.”
NHTSA complaint #898127, filed 2001-10Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 88,000 and 88,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C230 · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C230 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 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. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10028586Feb 27, 2009Air bags, Electrical system. Mercedes vehicle: the srs indicator lamp is illuminated and code b1058 and b2dbo are stored, replace the srs control unit. Models 203 and model 209. Model years unknown.
- 10028585Feb 6, 2009Exterior lighting. Mercedes vehicles: the xenon or bi-xenon headlamp not functioning. A function description can be found in wis document gf8s.10-p-20010 (203), gf82.10-p-0003q (209); gf82.10-p-3002r (230). Model…
- 10028624Jan 13, 2009Brakes. Mercedes vehicle: the anti-lock brake system (abs) return flow pump running without control with corresponding fault code c1401, clean and insulated the connector for the return flow pump relay…
- 10020460Dec 4, 2008Steering. Play in the rack and pinion steering system. Models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. Mercedes benz. *kb updated 5/13/09.
- 10022893Apr 24, 2008Engine cooling. 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…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C230
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 212 | 71,105 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 116 | 71,058 | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 85 | 82,543 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 31 | 65,500 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 51 | 61,125 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 54 | 48,660 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 29 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 29 | 67,500 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 39 | 122,748 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 7 | 88,000 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz C230 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by suspension with 1.
Has the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 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.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 (C230, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 88,000 miles and the middle half falls between 88,000 and 88,000 miles; 0% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.