2003 Mercedes-Benz C320 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 9%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320, 9% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Mercedes benz possible recall / extended warranty for fuel system... Involving a c class 2003 with same engine as the e class. The car fuel system is totally messed up, will only fill a half tank and runs out of gas because the fuel tank system is not working correctly. Car will not fill. Only one tank taking and sending fuel apparently. Dash is messed up, lights out, fuel system totally messed up. I almost went off a cliff in the car, slid backwards on a hillside when the car ran out of fuel unexpectedly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11020951, filed 2017-08, 170,000 miles“I purchase my 2003 mercedes from carmax in 2 years ago. It had 45,000 miles when I purchased it. From the time I purchase this car I had to replace the sunroof motor, replace the shocks, replace the truck lock, replace the fuel tank, and I had some transmission work done. My biggest problem is having to replace the low beam lights every 6 months. I suspect there is an electrical problem, but cannot completely prove it with the manufacturer. With 1 year, I had to replace the bulbs 3 times. I had to replace the front low beam bulbs and the brake lights. …”
NHTSA complaint #10241799, filed 2008-09Related 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C320
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