2003 Mercedes-Benz C230 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 12%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,375miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C230, 12% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,375 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.
“My panoramic roof is malfuctioning and is suck slightly open wont close or budge and now I'm having mulitple electrical issues my lights are flickering cigarette lighter doesnt work my AC works sometimes but then it doesn't and other things as well. There is an open recall on the panoramic roofs with my make and model but my VIN number isnt showing up..”
NHTSA complaint #11416537, filed 2021-05, 187,000 miles“Check engine light lead to rough idling and inability to drive vehicle. 2003 mercedes benz C230 with 61,650 miles on it. All cam sensors, o2 sensors, maf sensor, engine wiring harness replaced with necessary o-rings at dealer. Car was laid up 5 days and at a cost of $2,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10266664, filed 2009-04, 61,750 miles“Check engine light on, with occasional poor gas mileage, rough running. When engine starts rough, engine stop/re-start gets engine to idle/run properly. Dealer reported cam solenoids leaking engine oil into the wiring harness shorting harness components (o2 sensors etc.), high $$$ repair. First occurrence at 57k miles (just out of warranty). Contacted mb, no concern, too bad for you. Sporadic red LED warning about gas cap, blinking indicator in fuel gauge, stop/restart engine, goes away (error not in owners manual). …”
NHTSA complaint #10269601, filed 2009-05, 57,000 miles“Just like other reports here - electrical malfunction. 50k miles. Took to mb dealer for rough idle at cold start up and low speeds; louder than normal idle at start and in reverse. No check engine light, no error or problem indicated in dash at all. Same diagnosis - dealer reported cam solenoids leaking engine oil into the wiring harness shorting harness components (o2 sensors etc.), high $$$ $3600-$4000 repair. Issue should be resolved and paid for by mb since this is known defect that severely reduces the drive-ability and value of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10272472, filed 2009-05Related service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10166087Jul 10, 2014The presence of a quiescent current can have several causes. These are not always recognized and lead to an increased number of OK components being removed. Possible Hall sensor…
- 10205233Aug 5, 2013Mobile phone cotacts are not transferred completely.
- 10167563Jul 8, 2013The 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…
- 10033116Apr 1, 2011Mercedes: replace the camshaft adjustment solenoid(s) and install adapter harness(es). Due to the settling properties of the seal of the camshaft adjustment solenoid…
- 10028586Feb 27, 2009Mercedes 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.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 12 | 14% |
| 2004 | 7 | 23% |
| 2003 | 6 | 12% |
| 2002 | 12 | 22% |
| 2000 | 11 | 38% |
| 1999 | 4 | 14% |
| 1998 | 7 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C230
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C230
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