2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230, 2% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 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.
“Driving in to work on the highway I was doing about 70 MPH and suddenly I felt hard jolt and the car began to slip and swerve. There had been snow storm the night before and the roads were wet. I manage to control the car and pull over to the emergency lane. The transmission had shifted down for some reason, causing the wheels to slip. Shifted the car to p and back to d but the car had no power. Shifted a few more times and finally I was able to drive into work but the transmission continued shifting up and down unexpectedly. Slipped and swerved a few more times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10381936, filed 2011-02, 110,000 miles“First, my steering wheel wire was replaced from a faulty srs light coming on and the esp light coming on. I had to pay for all of this. Next, euromotor cars said the steering wheel collar was broke. I have never had that fixed because they wanted to charge me and I felt they should replace the collar since they replaced the steering wire. Now my car does not start and the instrument cluster does not light up. I cannot unlock the doors with the remote key and I cannot unlock the trunk of the car. My car just sits because I feel I should not have to pay for any of this any more. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358849, filed 2010-10Related service bulletins
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
Electronic stability control: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230
50 complaintsElectrical system
12 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 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