2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 25%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, 25% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,000 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.
“Certified pre-owned dealership bought mercedes benz 2003 c-240 4-matic. Purchased with 41k miles in 2008. Approximately 6/2013 the srs light came on stating 1 malfunction on the cluster relating to restraint system. Advised of numerous cases of this defect in model year 2003. Due to warranty expiration the issue has yet to have professional diagnostics. The light and cluster notification remains to date at 76k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10574681, filed 2014-03, 69,500 miles“I was always getting an error message telling me my rear lights were not working. I experienced an electrical fire in my trunk, which caused the air bags to deploy and the entire left side of my car caught fire. The car was totaled. Car would not start, trunk would not open. Car was totaled by dealer and insurance company. I know there is a recall notice for new c class cars, but because of what I experienced, I believe older models may also have the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10586324, filed 2014-05Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240
8 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240
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