2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230, 4% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles. 1 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.
“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“Tail light bulb carrier housings have burn/melt marks from overheating. One carrier has melted completely through. Occasional burning smell noted. Bulbs constantly go out since they do not hold in carrier properly. Requires readjusting bulb or using electrical tape to properly secure bulb to carrier housing. There is a recall for 2008 to 2011 c series models - same issue is being seen on a 2005 c series.”
NHTSA complaint #10588236, filed 2014-05, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11031580Apr 16, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029959Mar 9, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11029025Feb 24, 2026Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11017500Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11017496Apr 28, 2025Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead…
- 11005294Jul 23, 2024Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to…
- 10028585Feb 6, 2009Mercedes vehicles: the xenon or bi-xenon headlamp not functioning. A function description can be found in wis document gf8s.10-p-20010 (203), gf82.10-p-0003q (209)…
Exterior lighting: 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 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 Nov 1, 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