MERCEDES-BENZ C230 · model year

2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230

269 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2007MERCEDES-BENZC230 carries 269 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 7 fires, 12 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 2007 C230 is fuel/propulsion system with 55 filings, followed by air bags (51) and power train (50). 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 2007 C230. 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.

269
Complaints
13
Crashes
7
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

269 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM55
AIR BAGS51
POWER TRAIN50
ENGINE29
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
STEERING4
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3
SUSPENSION2
VISIBILITY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2

Recent Complaints

20250805FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Hi my name is [XXX] my son's name is [XXX] we bought the car and had no problems tell recently my brother n his associates have been making it a part of there day to day basis to spice the wires to the ecu and the fuel tank and transmission was stolen now they put a stolen one in my car and it's messed up my ability to go over 20 or shift and my esp and abs srs lights are just going off like a Christmas tree . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250805FireENGINE

Hi my name is [XXX] my son's name is [XXX] we bought the car and had no problems tell recently my brother n his associates have been making it a part of there day to day basis to spice the wires to the ecu and the fuel tank and transmission was stolen now they put a stolen one in my car and it's messed up my ability to go over 20 or shift and my esp and abs srs lights are just going off like a Christmas tree . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250805FireSUSPENSION

Hi my name is [XXX] my son's name is [XXX] we bought the car and had no problems tell recently my brother n his associates have been making it a part of there day to day basis to spice the wires to the ecu and the fuel tank and transmission was stolen now they put a stolen one in my car and it's messed up my ability to go over 20 or shift and my esp and abs srs lights are just going off like a Christmas tree . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20240724FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 1997 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the contact heard fluttering sounds coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that on two occasions, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle each time. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred approximately two months later. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

Mileage: 300,000

20240709AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2007 Mercedes Benz C230. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was notified. The local dealer was not contacted regarding the matter.

20240505FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

My car went into limp mode. Well after I spend 2000. And 2 years trying to figure out what was going on with my car. Come to find out. Water was getting in and it messed up my whole system. I just put every part on this car is brand new. Trying to figure this out. Now for nothing. I read somewhere. That I'm not the only one with this issue. That mercedes. Needs to make it right. What do u think

20240418ENGINE

Balance shaft and idle gear sprocket failure causing engine to misfire when idle or from warm start and cause idling during acceleration. Safety could be an issue if it causes greater internal damage or if the failure to accelerate fully may impact my ability to avoid an unsafe situation. Problem has been confirmed by a repair shop and has been admitted to be a common issue with M272 engine due to metallurgy defect during manufacture. This issue was part of a class action lawsuit against Mercedes Benz USA, which resulted in limited compensation to few people but a safety investigation was not conducted. MIL lamp does indicate an issue (P0016, P0017).

20230612FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My 2007 c230 has a problem with the smell of gasoline when you fill up. I have seen alot of complaints about the gas tank and its system on line. An when I talked to medcedes I was told they have had alot of issues with the mercedes in the past and that issue. They replaced alot of them at one time I dont know which model. I have seen alot of people with my style of mercedes with similiar issues. This type of thing should be taken care of by the dealer.

20230113FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

After filling the gas tank over the three quarters(3/4) mark, there is an extreme of gas. No leaks are seen and a garage found no leaks. The odor is so bad/strong that the car can not be placed in the garage. The odor remain until the fuel level is at or below the three quarters level.

20221210ENGINE

On Oct 25, 2022 while returning home from Denver International Airport the check engine light illuminated on the dash of my Mercedes Benz. The car was exhibiting increasing power loss and rough running which increased while driving north on Interstate 25 in heavy morning traffic. I was in doubt that he car would make it home. The car has been diagnosed subsequently the the Mercedes Benz m272 engine nance shaft gear problem with estimated cost to repair of US $6300.00. The car is definitely not dependable to drive with this problem due to the likelihood of failure in traffic.

20220711FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have an issue that when you fill up the car you will smell a strong gas odor outside of the car. as soon as the fuel level drops down the odor gets less and less. looked under rear seat and no fuel leaks. also i see a lot of posts about this same issue with this same type of car. 2007 c230 sport. please look into this. i even changed out gaskets and fuel pumps. just in case.

20220331ENGINE

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the balance shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20211102VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

2007 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SUNROOF RECALL. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60MPH, THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE SUNROOF EXPLODING, THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 19V-918. THE CONSUMER STATED AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION, THE GLASS PANEL WAS PARTIALLY OPEN. IT BEGAN TO RATTLE, SHAKE VIOLENTLY, AND EXPLODE. THE VEHICLE WASIN MOTION WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURED.

20210914ENGINE

Have a code p0016 p0017 I replace the camshaft balance sensor but it’s not that. I found out it’s balance shaft and I found out a lot of the people have the same problem

20210914POWER TRAIN

Have a code p0016 p0017 I replace the camshaft balance sensor but it’s not that. I found out it’s balance shaft and I found out a lot of the people have the same problem

20210914FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Have a code p0016 p0017 I replace the camshaft balance sensor but it’s not that. I found out it’s balance shaft and I found out a lot of the people have the same problem

20210703CrashAIR BAGS

Me, [XXX], and my ex-wife went to buy this car from a auto auction, plate where out state, but I figure wouldn't cost me much to register, bought it February 6, 2021 and I am kind of short in money to register car but then couple week after driving check engine pop up so I had free check engine by auto zone parts, so then it wasn't serious needed change oil change and filters, so I drove more so everything was going good ready for smoke check, but i didn't have the money so I ask my ex-wife to let me borrow money around May of month, so I was driving to her home, and out of no where I got hit in the front driver side lower fender from some silver low profile car, I was going 30's mile street but when I got hit by anomies driver the driver side bag pop up and also the passenger side too!! I was stunt and confused, wasn't a hard hit, driver that hit me run off, I pulled over the side of street. Couple light show up in dash board I don't recall what they said. I called my lawyer an he m

20210703CrashENGINE

Me, [XXX], and my ex-wife went to buy this car from a auto auction, plate where out state, but I figure wouldn't cost me much to register, bought it February 6, 2021 and I am kind of short in money to register car but then couple week after driving check engine pop up so I had free check engine by auto zone parts, so then it wasn't serious needed change oil change and filters, so I drove more so everything was going good ready for smoke check, but i didn't have the money so I ask my ex-wife to let me borrow money around May of month, so I was driving to her home, and out of no where I got hit in the front driver side lower fender from some silver low profile car, I was going 30's mile street but when I got hit by anomies driver the driver side bag pop up and also the passenger side too!! I was stunt and confused, wasn't a hard hit, driver that hit me run off, I pulled over the side of street. Couple light show up in dash board I don't recall what they said. I called my lawyer an he m

20210221ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAME TO MY CAR ONE DAY AFTER IT SAT FOR MAYBE AN HR AT MY MECHANICS HOUSE THE DOORS UNLOCKED WITH REMOTE, WENT TO SRART CAR AND IT DID NOT A MAKE UNLOCK VIBRATING SOUND AFTER THAT REALIZED IT WAS NOT WORKING, SPENT 400 DOLLARS EACH ON TWO DIFFERENT KEYS BOTH OF THOSE DID NOT WORK, TECHS HAD ISSUE OROGRAMMING KEY

Mileage: 166,000

20210221STEERING

CAME TO MY CAR ONE DAY AFTER IT SAT FOR MAYBE AN HR AT MY MECHANICS HOUSE THE DOORS UNLOCKED WITH REMOTE, WENT TO SRART CAR AND IT DID NOT A MAKE UNLOCK VIBRATING SOUND AFTER THAT REALIZED IT WAS NOT WORKING, SPENT 400 DOLLARS EACH ON TWO DIFFERENT KEYS BOTH OF THOSE DID NOT WORK, TECHS HAD ISSUE OROGRAMMING KEY

Mileage: 166,000

Compare 2007MERCEDES-BENZC230 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 have?
The 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 has 269 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 7 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230?
The most-complained component for the 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 55 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.