2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 9%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230, 9% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 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.
“I pulled up to a stop sign and as I preceded to accelerate it was very shaky and unwilling to accelerate. It would not brake 20 MPH. I then pulled over and shut the car down and waited to restart. After the restart it behave as normal but if I accelerated to much it would begin to shake and would not accelerate anymore. After some research on the forums I discover a mass of similar complaints that match my description to a t and describe issues with a cam bearing, a transmission plate, or both. Thank you for your time and consideration. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509805, filed 2013-04, 82,543 miles“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“My 18yr old college student was driving back from her summer classes at and the car suddenly lost power and she had to pull over on the side of the road to avoid an car accident ....I'm not sure what to do now cause I can't afford to have this problem fixed according to what I've been reading ...something about trans slipping with faulty 0894 code and a blown k-1 clutch which seems to be a common problem,,,when I got the car home and I drove it the car was losing power for some reason please help....I'm a single retired mother whom is just trying to educate my daughter but without a…”
NHTSA complaint #10458597, filed 2012-05, 68,000 miles“My mercedes benz C230 kompressor started having problems at 4400 miles, it has a hesitation problem. It now has 42,000 miles and still has hesitation. Its been in the shop 7 times for the same situation. They tried to blame it on water in the fuel, but it continues to have the same issue. Over the seven attempts to repair my vehicle, the problems still persists. The hesitation is consisted of stopping and going, jerking the vehicle when transmission from gear to gear. Its a fuel related problem. My fiance and I have been in to many close calls with accidents. …”
NHTSA complaint #10204835, filed 2007-10, 4,405 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10164811Aug 5, 2019Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of rear axle
- 10166994Feb 25, 2014Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). Heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)
- 10029504Feb 1, 2009Mercedes: replace transfer case on affected vehicles optimized transfer cases will reduce vibrations when cornering or when parking. Models 203, 211, 220.
- 10023776Jan 1, 2009Models e320, e500, e55, e350, e550, e63 and s430 4matic, s500 4matic. My 2005-2006 -- replace transfer case. *nj updated 5/13/09. Models c280, c350, c320 and c240. My 2005-2007.
- 10030904Dec 1, 2008Mercedes benz: models 203, 209, 211, 219,230, and 463; model years 2005-2007. Replace pilot bushing at electrohydraulic unit. Daimler ag has determined that on affected vehicles…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 51 | 24% |
| 2006 | 28 | 24% |
| 2005 | 8 | 9% |
| 2004 | 3 | 10% |
| 2003 | 8 | 16% |
| 2002 | 3 | 6% |
| 2000 | 9 | 31% |
| 1999 | 1 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 13% |
| 1997 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230
50 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 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