The 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,624,196 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY24V8740002024-11-1933,456 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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…
VISIBILITY22V9540002022-12-23131,653 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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…
VISIBILITY19V9180002019-12-20747,928 affected
Defect
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:…
Consequence
A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
AIR BAGS16V0810002016-02-11711,159 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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…
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
45
7crashes7injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
3fires
ENGINE
6
1fires
POWER TRAIN
6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4
1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
2crashes3injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3
1fires
SEATS
3
1fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
3
2crashes1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
Total complaints120
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Hi my name is [xxx] I own the vehicle describe and provided the vin nr I went to the mercedes benz of portland or situated in 1605 s.w naito pkwy portlland oregon on the date of 3 october 2019 because this car have a s.r.s recall they make me waiting from 10;16 to 15;41 but they du not want to…”
“Hi my name is [xxx] I own the vehicle describe and provided the vin nr I went to the mercedes benz of portland or situated in 1605 s.w naito pkwy portlland oregon on the date of 3 october 2019 because this car have a s.r.s recall they make me waiting from 10;16 to 15;41 but they du not want to…”
“Hi my name is [xxx] I own the vehicle describe and provided the vin nr I went to the mercedes benz of portland or situated in 1605 s.w naito pkwy portlland oregon on the date of 3 october 2019 because this car have a s.r.s recall they make me waiting from 10;16 to 15;41 but they du not want to…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.