2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles, 17 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
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (9) and air bags (4). 17 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 19 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain 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.
- Electrical system11 38%
- Air bags4 14%
- Suspension3 10%
- Brakes2 6.9%
- Exterior lighting2 6.9%
- Fuel system2 6.9%
- Seats2 6.9%
Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Instrument cluster pixels went out on odometer for my car which seems to happen with all mercedes. 1. Pixels started to go out over the months. 2. 3 years after I bought it. 3. Replaced instrument cluster $1,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10256159, filed 2009-01, 70,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I have had a number of electrical system failures with my 2000 model year c230k mercedes. These have mostly effected the cars safety systems which is a major concern to me. The first failure was a complete drain of the battery charge for no apparent reason and the battery was replaced. Shortly afterwards the sensors of the ABS system failed and the transmission was then automatically locked in parking position after the next stop as a safety feature. …”
NHTSA complaint #767562, filed 2002-09Air bags: “The driver's side impact air bag deployed. The powder substance cause red spots on the consumer's arm and face. The incident was twelve months ago but the spots are still present.”
NHTSA complaint #10024341, filed 2004-01, 45,000 milesSuspension: “Driving to work at 3:45 a.m. (eastern time) my car felt like it hit something in the road I pulled over to examin the vehicle. I couldn't see anything until I got to work when it was more light out. I removed the wheel and found the coil spring tower had ripped almost completely off???? I noticed rust and no other damage to the undercarriage less the shock that go hit by the spring. This has to be a recall or some manufacture TSB. The car is super clean has 157,000 on the clock. I inspected the other wheels they appear ok it's the passenger side front.”
NHTSA complaint #10445026, filed 2012-01Mileage when problems were reported
29% of the 17 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2000 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 2000 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. 19 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11009122Oct 23, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Body and structure. Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Electrical system. Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11005294Jul 23, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical…
- 10248162Dec 4, 2023Seats. Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ⢠Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). ⢠Objects wedged between the seat…
- 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
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 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 9.
Has the 2000 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 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 get?
The EPA rates the 2000 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 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 reported?
Among the 17 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 100,000 miles; 29% 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. 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.