2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 recalls and problems

4 recalls and 85 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230.

4
recalls
85
owner complaints
12
complaints mentioning a crash
6
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 recalls

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA campaign 24V874000 · reported November 19, 2024 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · 33,456 vehicles potentially affected

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

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA campaign 22V954000 · reported December 23, 2022 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · 131,653 vehicles potentially affected

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

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA campaign 19V918000 · reported December 20, 2019 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · 747,928 vehicles potentially affected

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

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 16V081000 · reported February 11, 2016 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · 711,159 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 22, 2024 · Air bags

The SAM system failed and car would not start !It took months to be diagnosed by 3 different mechanics! The message said quite often that the Air bags have been deployed !The dealer could not determine the issue! There have been various recalls on the Takata air bags stating my C230 2005 Kompressor is included in the…

May 18, 2023 · Engine · fire reported

Vehicle began smoking on highway. No check engine or indicator of any fault codes. No previous coolant or oil leaks, or fuel leaks appeared to be visible or of issue. Vehicle had to be pulled over on side of highway as smoke began to became increasing with darker color from the engine bay, then making its way into the…

Jun 22, 2022 · Engine

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT SLOWED DOWN ONLY GOING 40MPH. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW IT WANT GO IN REVERSE. THE ELECTRICAL HAS WENT OUT FOR MOVING THE HEADREST UP AND DOWN, MOVING THE SEAT FORWARD N BACKWARDS. THE BATTERY KEEP DRAINING, THIS IS THE 3RD NEW BATTERY I HAD TO…

Feb 4, 2021 · Air bags · 127,000 miles · crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT'S FOREHEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE…

Sep 6, 2020 · Unknown or other · 89,000 miles

LA TELA DEL TECHO SE DESPEG DE REPENTE Y PUEDE CAER ENCIMA DEL CONDUCTOR Y PASAJEROS .HE PREGUNTADO A OTRAS PERSONAS QUE TIENEN EL MISMO MODELO Y ME DICEN QUE TAMBIN LES A PASADO LO MISMO O SEA DEBE SER DEFECTO DE FABRICA

C230 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2002 25434
2003 35113
2004 33104
2005 485126
2006 511660
2007 521284

Across all years, the 2007 C230 has the most complaints (212). All Mercedes-Benz C230 years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230, the most recent reported on November 19, 2024 (Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230?
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (50 complaints), followed by electrical system (12).
How many 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 complaints mention a crash or fire?
12 of 85 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 13 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 22, 2024.