2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 23%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230, 23% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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“I have a 2004 mercedes benz C230. The alarm sounds continuously while driving down the road. When this happens, the key will not disable it. The dealership says there is not a problem with mercedes but I seem to find lots of complaints on internet blogs regarding other customers having the same problem. What is our right as a consumer? Should there be a recall to get this corrected?”
NHTSA complaint #10238948, filed 2008-08, 48,000 miles“This is a 2004 mercedes C230. Check engine light went on. I went to dealer within 15 miles of warning light coming on. I was told that there was an oil leak and that it had dripped over the wiring harness. It would cost $3,500 to repair. I have never missed a maintenance on this car. They said the this happens because of where the o2 sensor is located. This is a defect and design flow created by mb. They should do a recall to protect the wiring harness”
NHTSA complaint #10322904, filed 2010-03, 80,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz C230. The contact stated he noticed the front driver side head lights was melted. The contact stated he replaced the bulb himself. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11363606, filed 2020-10, 87,000 miles“Letter from congressman ackerman on behalf of constituent regarding an issue with his 2004 mercedes benz C230 the consumer stated the vehicle caught on fire while driving, due to a catastrophic electrical failure and destroyed the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10444168, filed 2012-01Related 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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