Total Complaints
34 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ 240 · model year
34 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003MERCEDES-BENZ240 carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 240 is electrical system with 4 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (4) and power train (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2003 240. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
7 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
| TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS | 1 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND SUDDENLY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE THREE WHEEL ASSEMBLY BOLTS FRACTURED. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
Mileage: 163,000
AFTER PURCHASING CAR IN 2007 USED WITH 60K MILES, TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, DRIIVNG ONLY 40K OVER 4 YEARS,THE VEHECLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
AFTER PURCHASING CAR IN 2007 USED WITH 60K MILES, TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, DRIIVNG ONLY 40K OVER 4 YEARS,THE VEHECLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
RIGHT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY FELL APART. WE HAD JUST GOT OFF OF I-90 WHEN I PULLED INTO MCDONALD'S AND THE FRONT WHEEL DISENGAGED AS THE AXLE COMPLETELY FELL APART. *TR
Mileage: 108,782
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 3RD TIME ON 1/27/09 FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE DEALER PERFORMED CODING TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - 67A GLITTLE (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR
Mileage: 74,239
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 4TH TIME ON 7/8/09 FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MERCEDES-BENZ TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (TAC) IN GERMANY TO OBTAIN PASSWORD FOR SPECIAL CODING REGARDING FUEL GAUGE IN CLUSTER AND PROGRAM. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL ON-GOING AND TO-DATE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR
Mileage: 78,132
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON 9/23/08 (1ST TIME OF PROBLEM REPORTED) FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THE AUXILIARY PUMP, MOUNTING PLATE, AND SEAL RING WERE REPLACED (SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH LIST OF ADDITIONAL DATES). *TR
Mileage: 70,684
MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A 2ND TIME ON 10/06/08 (2ND TIME PROBLEM REPORTED) FOR INOPERABLE FUEL GAUGE (FUEL TANK STAYED ON EMPTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK). THIS TIME THE PROGRAMMING WAS CHANGED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SEE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER DATES). *TR
Mileage: 70,992
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE BROKE ON MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WHEN I SIMPLY WENT TO THE OPEN THE DOOR. I HAD TO SUPER GLUE THEM BACK ON SO I COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "COSMETIC" DAMAGE. *TR
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE BROKE ON MY 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 4MATIC WHEN I SIMPLY WENT TO THE OPEN THE DOOR. I HAD TO SUPER GLUE THEM BACK ON SO I COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "COSMETIC" DAMAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES C240. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON A FREEWAY HE HEARD BANGING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THEN HE SAW SMOKE. AFTER HE PULLED OVER HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THE ENTIRE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL PUT N THE CLAIM AND THAT THEY WILL GIVE HIM A CALL BACK. WHEN THEY CALLED BACK THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN INSPECTING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE YEAR AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14649.
Mileage: 14,649
2003 C240 MERCEDES BENZ HAS A DEFAULT CAUSING MY AIRBAG AND CARHORN NOT TO WORK WAS TOLD THAT CLOCKSPRING PART IS NO GOOD WHICH THEIR CARS ARE KNOWN TO GO BAD I'M CURRENTLY DRIVING A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE HAVE NO AIRBAG TO PROTECT ME IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT I FEEL THAT MERCEDES SHOULD REPLACE THE PROB. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ 240. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR TURNING, THE NOISE WORSENED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND CONVERTER; HOWEVER, THE NOISE CONTINUED. LATER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. SHE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THESE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,011 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,673. UPDATED 062909 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT AND RIGHT WATER PUMP FAILED ON DIFFERENT OCCASSONS.FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR MIXING WITH THE ANTI-FREEZE WHICH WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. UPDATED 07/01/09.*JB
Mileage: 37,011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C-240. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THE GEAR DISPLAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN THIRD GEAR, BUT IT FEELS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,300. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL HONOR WHATEVER THE DEALER DECLARES TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,500.
Mileage: 89,000
CAR HESITATES AT LOW SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING. *JB
Mileage: 2,000
I HAVE PURCHASED TWO VEHICLES FROM STADIUM AUTO, INC. @ 800 NORTH WATSON RD. ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76011 (817) 640-1400. ONE BEING A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRACK MOTOR 7 DAYS LATER (PER THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE TECH THAT SERVICED THE VEHICLE THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A BAD COLLISION. STADIUM AUTO APOLOGIZED AND SWITCHED ME OUT OF THE VOLKSWAGEN CONTRACT INTO A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ 240 (WHAT AN UPGRADE) BUT FOR THE SAME PRICE. THE MERCEDES HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE SHOP OF PARK PLACE MOTORCARS @ 6113 LEMON AVE. DALLAS, TEXAS 75209 214-526-8701 DUE TO MY SUSPENSIONS OF HOW THE CAR DRIVES AND SOUNDS. THE COMPLAINTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: JUNE 08, 2006 PROBLEM - LICENSE PLATE BULB BURNT OUT - REPLACED HORN INOPERABLE FUSE ELEMENT - REPLACED JUNE 22, 2006 PROBLEM - ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AT TIMES NO DETERMINATION LOUD TICKING NOISE STABILIZER BAR REPAIRED D R&R SWAY BAR LINKS. ALSO, VEHICLE COURTESY INSPECTION EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT EXCEPT THE SUSPENSION/STEERING. JULY 01, 2006 PROBLE
Mileage: 540,000
2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240'S BRAKES PULSATED WHILE STOPPING. UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC DETERMINED THE BRAKE DISCS HAD SURFACE PITTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB THE DISC COULD NOT BE MACHINED BECAUSE THEY LACKED HE METAL BACKING TO PERMIT RESURFACING. THE CONSUMER HAS THE DISC IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY INDICATED AN EMPTY TANK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO DASH PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK GAUGES. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH PANEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED IN REGARDS TO THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION BY THE DEALER.
Mileage: 30,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY INDICATED AN EMPTY TANK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO DASH PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK GAUGES. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH PANEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED IN REGARDS TO THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION BY THE DEALER.
Mileage: 30,000
POORLY DESIGNED TIRE/RIM. *JB
Mileage: 10
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.