2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 14%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230, 14% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 3 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 purchased the car and about 1 week later the battery had drained. I purchased a new one then about 3 weeks later it drained again and again and again. It keeps draining no matter how many times I replace it. I have only put about 200 miles on the car since I purchased it years ago because of this. I replaced the tires once and the battery numerous times. I paid $6,500.00 for a car I can't even drive.”
NHTSA complaint #11351726, filed 2020-08, 111,000 miles“On a way from road trip I was driving ( night drive) my headlights went out in middle of driving. I pull on side of the road to see what is going on and then I saw smoke poring out of my driver side fog light and passenger headlight .open the hood and saw what I really did not wanted to see a fire. I just wana say big thanks for semitruck driver who was so nice to stop with his rig and try to help me with fire extinguisher. When fire was out I pull the bulb out and plastic bulb socket the hold the bulb was gone melted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10548559, filed 2013-10, 51,000 miles“On the highway car shut down shop said the w shaped fuel tank failed to send fuel from passenger side to the driver side. Also numerous time speed has accelerated independantly bumped in parking lot no air bag deployed seat malfunctions when moving it its stuck and crooked cant reach pedals and loss of power even after fuel repairs before as well. Sunroof motor works when it wants to and constant fuses blowing and lights all the time. Door locks also get stuck. Battery also drains itself all the time and has bad cylinders. …”
NHTSA complaint #11349353, filed 2020-08, 170,000 miles“In sept 2008 I purchased a certified pre-owned mercedes benz C230 sedan along with an extended warranty for an additional expense the car had approx 32k on it at time of purchase, it now is at aprrox 62k all service actions have been performed by the local mb dealership and the car only has the oem equipment it was manufactured with. …”
NHTSA complaint #10364178, filed 2010-11, 62,000 miles“Problem starts with a hesitation upon acceleration and loss of power while driving. After shutting engine off, then upon starting vehicle, engine would start to shake and stumble. Check engine light would come on. Vehicle engine sounds as if it going to blow up and has no power and stalls becomes undriveable. If you shut engine off again and restart sometimes car can be driven even though check engine light remains on. It always shows the same codes for repair. Car has been towed to dealer 2 times and driven over 4 additional times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10165348, filed 2006-08, 1,900 milesRelated 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…
- 10037653Dec 10, 2010Mercedes-benz: there are electrical production quality issues that cause the air bag warning light to illuminate.
- 10032568Aug 1, 2009Mercedes benz service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Software calibration number (scn) coding; engine control module. The vehicles fuel tank leak…
- 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.
- 10018814Dec 1, 2005A harness must be installed at the connection between the suction fan control line and the expansion reservoir to prevent a possible malfunction of the suction fan.
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 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230
50 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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