1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230. The part named most often is fuel system, with 6 complaints (21% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and brakes (4). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Fuel system6 21%
- Air bags4 14%
- Brakes4 14%
- Electrical system4 14%
- Suspension3 10%
- Engine cooling2 6.9%
- Exterior lighting2 6.9%
- Vehicle speed control2 6.9%
- Equipment1 3.5%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Fuel gauge failure:reads more than there is at times; has resulted in running out of fuel;erratic reading even after filling tank with fuel;will show full and a few minutes later shows empty. Also, brake light bulbs buring out at 1 to 2 month intervals. Sometimes dash indicator light shows burned out bulb when all are working, other times light has burned out and indicator light is not on.”
NHTSA complaint #10051050, filed 2003-12, 38,200 milesAir bags: “- the contact stated that while driving the 1999 mercedes C230 at 35mph the front right tire slipped and the vehicle rolled over a number of times in a residential area. The driver's side airbag didn't deploy. There was a police report and an insurance report. The weather was not a factor in the failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10179361, filed 2007-01, 52,000 milesElectrical system: “Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for repairs. After vehicle was returned to consumer she drove the vehicle and appeared to be satisfied. The next day vehicle had no electrical power. Also, it was discovered that vehicle was in a flood, but was not informed of this by the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10094448, filed 2004-09, 75,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,000 and 128,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 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 Kompressor RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,750 |
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 1999 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, 2020Brakes, Electronic stability control. 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, 2019Suspension, Equipment. 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 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 6 complaints (21% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.
Has the 1999 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 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 (C230 Kompressor, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,500 miles and the middle half falls between 44,000 and 128,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.