Model year record

2003 MERCEDES BENZ C230

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 76 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 24V874000

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Component
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Vehicles affected
33,456
Reported to NHTSA
2024-11-19
Owners notified
2025-01-10

Defect description

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Safety risk

A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V954000

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Component
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Vehicles affected
131,653
Reported to NHTSA
2022-12-23
Owners notified
2023-02-03

Defect description

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Safety risk

A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V918000

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Component
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Vehicles affected
747,928
Reported to NHTSA
2019-12-20
Owners notified
2020-07-10

Defect description

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Safety risk

A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling1165,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine672,850 mi
Power train: automatic transmission6380 mi
Electrical system561,750 mi
Air bags365,704 mi
Engine3160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system318,000 mi
Exterior lighting340,000 mi
Tires3200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly212,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages221,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Unknown or other2187,000 mi
Visibility2
Wheels: rim2200 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator121,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline180,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices121,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery180 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump146,646 mi
Parking brake121,000 mi
Power train1178,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter110,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission112,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic121,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman121,000 mi
Suspension1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing160,500 mi
Vehicle speed control121,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal17,500 mi
Visibility/wiper1166,000 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.