1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 Problems
- Complaints
- 39filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 122,748miles, 20 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230. The part named most often is suspension, with 9 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system (7) and body and structure (6). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 5% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 122,748 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Suspension9 23%
- Electrical system7 18%
- Body and structure6 15%
- Fuel system5 13%
- Engine cooling2 5.1%
- Steering2 5.1%
- Tires2 5.1%
- Brakes1 2.6%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “On friday, august 8, 2008, while driving home from work through a residential neighborhood at approximately 20-25 MPH. My left front coil spring fell completely off my car! The front end dropped, I temporarily lost control of the car, and the spring went into the road, causing a road hazard for any on-coming vehicle (thankfully there were none). …”
NHTSA complaint #10240909, filed 2008-09, 58,000 milesElectrical system: “01 v 366 000/battery: when the consumer removed the battery from the trunk and placed it on a crate to check the water level, it all of a sudden exploded in the consumers face. The consumer sustained acid burns, cuts and bruises to his face. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The consumer stated that he was not touching the battery at the time of explosion.”
NHTSA complaint #10105202, filed 2005-01, 70,000 milesBody and structure: “My left front spring perch rusted off the frame and my front wheel came off the car as I was driving. The right perch was rusted and it had to be repaired also.”
NHTSA complaint #10390484, filed 2011-03, 149,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Consumer states all the side door power windows was unable to go down, dealer contacted and unable to correct the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8010413, filed 2002-05Mileage when problems were reported
5% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 79,000 and 149,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020Electrical system. NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020Electronic stability control, Brakes. If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10164810Aug 5, 2019Equipment, Suspension. Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
- 10151959Jul 23, 2018Seat belts. Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- 10135599Mar 24, 2015Suspension. Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
- 10166099Jul 10, 2014Seats. Pneumatic comfort systems with insufficient performance, entirely inoperative or leaky.
- 10167563Jul 8, 2013Electrical system. The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power…
- 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…
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 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 have?
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 9 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system with 7.
Has the 1998 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 get?
The EPA rates the 1998 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz C230 reported?
Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 122,748 miles and the middle half falls between 79,000 and 149,000 miles; 5% 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.