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Mercedes-Benz C320Model year report

2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
96,234miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by seats (3) and air bags (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,234 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 62 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Seats complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I have had 2 instances where I start driving and the car loses power and then will regain power. It is within the first 5-10 minutes of driving and is extremely dangerous and could cause accidents. Service has not been able to find problem. 4 other friends have indicated they are having the same problem with loss of power. Most are the same model.”

NHTSA complaint #10141825, filed 2005-11

Seats: “While driving, my son was using the heated seat function and noticed a burning smell, the driver side seat was smoking, which burned a hole in the left hand side of the seat back and also burned a hole in the back of my sons sweatshirt.”

NHTSA complaint #11394282, filed 2021-02, 110,000 miles

Electrical system: “I own a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 for three years and always have issues with the software, the engine keeps shutting off while driving, and the steering wheel get locked, no matter where I am at, a city streets or a highway. Many phone calls to Mercedes-Benz dealer and the headquarter, they didn't try to resolve the issues I'm having with my car!!! Mercedes-benz wants people either forget about the safety issue! Die naturally or sell their cars.”

NHTSA complaint #10993929, filed 2017-06, 136,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 75,500 and 122,000 miles.

8%0–100%10–2517%25–500%50–7525%75–10033%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 96,234 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2006201020122016201842021
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 C320. 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 C320 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
C320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual172419$4,350
C320 4matic 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
C320 Sports Coupe RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual162218$4,550
C320 FFV RWD3.2L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic182420$4,100
C320 Sports Coupe FFV RWD3.2L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic172219$4,350

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 C320 → · 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. 62 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 62 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20051596,2344—19—Falling
20041564,5003—20—Falling
20032254,3523—19—Rising
20026870,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20016370,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercedes-Benz C320 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by seats with 3.

Has the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 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 C320 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 (C320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320 reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,234 miles and the middle half falls between 75,500 and 122,000 miles; 25% 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.