2004 Mercedes-Benz C230 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 19%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230, 19% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 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.
“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“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“This is a 2004 mercedes C230. Check engine light went on. I went to dealer within 5 miles of warning light coming on. I was told that there was an oil leak and that it had dripped over several components and the wiring harness. I would cost $3,500 to repair but they absorbed the labor cost and it should cost about $2,000. I have never missed a maintenance on this car. They said the this happens because of where the o2 sensor that leaked is. It seems odd to have minor issue cause such enormous damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10267393, filed 2009-04, 55,150 miles“Mercedes benz C230 kompressor sport sedan began to leak oil into the cam magnet sensor which lead to the failure of the engine wiring harness, costing hundreds of dollars to replace. Mb has known of this problem in the 111 and 271 series of engine for many years. Costing the consumer huge amounts of money for a problem they have known about. No problems with the car flaking or showing signs of leaking oil until its too late.”
NHTSA complaint #10250881, filed 2008-12, 46,000 miles“This car is a money pit! I bought 2004 C230 kompressor used in 2007. To date I have spent well over $8500 in repairs and the car is sitting in my driveway with its latest affliction..a completely blown engine. It is a useless piece of junk and I am out the $25,000 I originally paid for it, plus the additional $8500 I have put into it. This is how mercedes benz takes care of business? Something has drastically changed. My dad has had 2 mercedes over the last 30 years...they ran perfectly until he sold them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10454370, filed 2012-04Related service bulletins
- 10167489Mar 19, 2014Noise: A rattling noise may be heard from the area of the chain drive for approx. 2-5 seconds after engine start. And/or: Fault code entries in engine control unit: SIM271DE20…
- 10027826Aug 1, 2008Mercedes-benz: daimler ag has determined that the engine vent hose on subject vehicles may not conform to specifications. Cracks may develop in the vent hose over time and in the…
- 10022893Apr 24, 2008Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit. Mercedes-benz model c230, c280, c350, slk280, slk350, clk350, clk550, e350, e550, cls550, s600…
- 10024662Mar 1, 2008Model c230, model years 2003-2005 - replace engine vent hoses.
- 10024362Feb 20, 2008Mercedes-benz - check catalytic converters and replace if necessary - models 203, 209, 211, 215, 230 - model years 2004-2005. *nj update 8/7/2008.
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz C230
7 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 30, 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