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Mercedes-Benz C240Model year report

2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 Problems

Complaints
30filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
66,780miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.6L 6-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 17 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (27% of the total), followed by fuel system (4) and seat belts (3). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 41% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 66,780 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 59 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Greetings: about a month after having my car serviced for b side of maintenance, while driving to work, this unknown srs light came on my dashboard; after looking thru the manual, I realized it was something dealing with air bag, which the dealership emphasized it was something I needed to get it taken care of soonest. Not having the cash, I asked him to see if there was a recall; he simply said he had checked, and no. Today oct. 14, I borrowed the money, and took my car in for the work; it is too soon as I do not receive it back until oct. 15. …”

NHTSA complaint #10430274, filed 2011-10

Fuel system: “The electronic engine/gearbox protection switched off the engine while the car is on the move in a highway. The incidence happen twice in 2011 and 2012. Fortunately, I was able to pull over on the shoulder and restart the engine without any adverse incidence. But, the potential for catastrophic injury as a result of sudden loss of engine power in a highway concerns me.”

NHTSA complaint #10745651, filed 2015-08, 73,560 miles

Seat belts: “The electronic warning sign for unlocked seat belt comes on while the car is moving, including at high speed on freeways. Unlocking and re-locking the seat-belt does not fix the problem. This problem has been occurring on and off for a couple of years and I am concerned about the potential the airbag may not deploy appropriately in case an accident/collision.”

NHTSA complaint #10745648, filed 2015-08, 73,560 miles

Seats: “While driving along at 45 MPH the front drivers seat heating element was activated. It was switched on to its highest setting. In approximately one minute the front seatback left side bolster caught fire burning a dime size hole and burning the fleece vest worn by the driver. The vehicle was immediately slowed to stop along the highway shoulder and the driver exited after turning off the dash switch. The smoldering stopped. The switch has since remained in the off position and an appointment with a mechanic will be scheduled.”

NHTSA complaint #10483949, filed 2012-11, 43,392 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

41% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 27,000 and 100,000 miles.

14%0–109%10–2518%25–5023%50–759%75–10018%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 66,780 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’06’10’12’14’1644’184’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
C-Class · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C240 4matic 4WD/AWD2.6L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172319$4,350
C240 4matic (Wagon) 4WD/AWD2.6L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172219$4,350
C240 FFV RWD2.6L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic172320$4,100
C240 FFV (Wagon) RWD2.6L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic172320$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 59 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 59 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C240

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20053066,7803—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20041680,0003—19—Falling
200320114,5003—19—Falling
200213117,0003—20—Not enough data
2001897,2003—20—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz C240 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 have?

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (27% of the total), followed by fuel system with 4.

Has the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 (C240 FFV, 2.6L 6-cyl · flex-fuel) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 66,780 miles and the middle half falls between 27,000 and 100,000 miles; 41% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.