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Mercedes-Benz C230Model year report

2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 Problems

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,500miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns 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
23 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (23% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and fuel system (6). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 5 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.

Also reported: Air bags (1), Steering (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “I was driving on the I-95 at 60 MPH and turned on my air conditioner when smoke began to come out of the vents. I shut off the air conditioner and the smoke stopped. I visited with my parents and as I started the car and it was idling, I turned on the air conditioner and smoke began to come from the vents again and flames appeared under the dashboard. I was able to put out the fire and pulled the fuse box cover off and found the fuse box was where the fire had started. …”

NHTSA complaint #11034475, filed 2017-10, 127,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Mercedes C230 kompressor. The bolt that holds the alternator belt has broke 3 times! When the belt slipped it affected the power steering and I was unable to steer! Very scary, luckily I was driving under 25 MPH at the time. There must be a default in the design for this to keep happening!”

NHTSA complaint #10351492, filed 2010-08, 55,000 miles

Fuel system: “Hesitation (jerking) upon acceleration, usually during turns or while in heavy traffic. This has been an ongoing problem since purchase of vehicle (new). I have taken it in for repair for this problem no less than seven (7) times, but the problem still remains. There is also a popping noise coming from the exhaust system that occurs when the brake is engaged and the vehicle is idling. …”

NHTSA complaint #10212438, filed 2007-12, 12,444 miles

Seat belts: “Vehicle has 136,000 miles and has been well maintained by all owners. Drivers buckle or latch no longer operating. Prior to this it was becoming hard to release buckle after use. Now stuck in closed position. It indicates that the belt is buckled but it will not catch. Verified nothing is stuck in mechanism.”

NHTSA complaint #10861520, filed 2016-04, 136,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

27% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,000 and 99,000 miles.

0%0–109%10–2518%25–5036%50–7514%75–10018%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,500 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.

’07’096’11’13’15’17’19’21
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 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.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
C-Class · sedan not rated4 / 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 2004 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C230 Kompressor RWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed automatic202823$3,550
C230 Kompressor RWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual202723$3,550
C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe RWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed automatic202823$3,550
C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe RWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual202723$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

Recall details for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 → · Check a 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. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 52 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C230

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200721271,1055—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200611671,0585—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20058582,5434—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043165,5003—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20035161,1253—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20025448,6602—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20002975,0000—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19992967,5000—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199839122,7480—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1997788,0000—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 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (23% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.

Has the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 (C230 Kompressor, 1.8L 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,500 miles and the middle half falls between 48,000 and 99,000 miles; 27% 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.