2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 10%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,263miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, 10% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,263 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.
“Dec 2013, with our new 2003 mb C240 traveling 55mph on cruise, I accelerated, poof . My brother driving behind us disappeared in a cloud of white smoke from my exhaust. He had to pull over, he could not see the road. The cloud of smoke appears every time I use the cc or maintain a constant speed for any length of time. On a recent trip of 2000 miles, it consumed 7 qts of oil. With only 75k miles, its hardly broken in. The problem is sludge built up inside the engine because of a poor engine design. …”
NHTSA complaint #10641363, filed 2014-10, 75,263 miles“Harmonic balancer /crank pulley wobbling very bad . Afraid it will come apart and cause catastrophic damage while my kids are driving. Mercedes covered this part under same engine family but only from model years 1998-2001. Would like them to take responsibility for the same faulty part as the others.”
NHTSA complaint #11010613, filed 2017-07Related service bulletins
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 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