MERCEDES-BENZ C240 · model year

2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240

31 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004MERCEDES-BENZC240 carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 fires, 2 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 2004 C240 is unknown or other with 5 filings, followed by electrical system (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine (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 2004 C240. 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.

31
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

31 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN2
SEAT BELTS2
AIR BAGS2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
SUSPENSION1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1

Recent Complaints

20220311AIR BAGS

SRS ABS ESP lights occasionally go on and off mostly the SRS take to shop does not come on or stay on obd2 does not detect may use clear error messages stays off for few weeks then back on and off bought scanner when SRS comes on sometimes it shows error B1035 stored and current the resistance value in the ignition circuit containing component R1 2/20 (left front side airbag ignition squib) is too high sometimes nothing hear this same complaint from many owners. drivers side seat motor only works off and on had replaced sometimes works sometimes does not lots of sensor issues shows a door ajar when it is not have to replace senors

20201013UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I TOOK MY CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP TO FIX A RECALL ON MY SUNROOF NHTSA RECALL # 19V918 THEY CLAIMED THEY CHECKED MY SEAL FOR DEFECTIVE BUT WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT OPEN . I ASKED THEM WHAT DID THEY DO IT NOT WORKING AT ALL . THEY WERE VERY VAGUE ON THE DETAILS TO CHECKING MY RECALL. STATED THEY DIDN'T NEED TO OPEN MY SUNROOF TO CHECK. THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE ALSO I QUESTION WHY IS IT BROKEN NOW IT WAS NOT PRIOR TO BRINGING IT IN . THEY WERE ELUSIVE AND NON COMPLIANT AND STATED IT WAS BROKEN. THEY WOULD NAKED RESPONSIBILITY NOR EXPLAIN HOW THEY INSEPECTED A SEAL IF THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT OPEN .

20200612UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SUNROOF SINCE IT MAY DETACH AND FLIGHT OUT, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE AT EURO MOTOR CAR IN GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND. A LADY FROM THE DEALER JUST CALL ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT THEY ARE CANCELING THE APPOINTMENT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT DO RECALLS...

20200610VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BONITA SPRINGS (14610 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34110) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200219VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20170405UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE FRONT BROKE OFF. I HAD TO PAY THROUGH THE NOSE TO GET IF FIXED. IT WAS LIKE PLASTIC. I AM 5"1 AND WEIGH UNDER 130 POUNDS. I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO BREAK IT AND I ALSO HAVE RA. I NEVER SLAM A DOOR IN ANGER. I REALLY LIKE MY CAR BUT WONDER IF THE REST OF IT WILL FALL APART. I WAS IN THE GARAGE. I HAVE THE BROKEN PIECE.

Mileage: 42,000

20161118FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN USING THE SEAT HEATER. FIRE PROTRUDED THROUGH THE SIDE SEAT PANEL AND BURNED DRIVER AND CLOTHING. THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES ON A CITY STREET AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. PORTIONS OF THE SEAT MELTED.

Mileage: 68,000

20161118FireSEATS

PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN USING THE SEAT HEATER. FIRE PROTRUDED THROUGH THE SIDE SEAT PANEL AND BURNED DRIVER AND CLOTHING. THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES ON A CITY STREET AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. PORTIONS OF THE SEAT MELTED.

Mileage: 68,000

20151201SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE NITROGEN POWER SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 62,000

20150527POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK FROM PARKVILLE TO BALTIMORE CITY AND MY CAR BEGAN AGGRESSIVELY JERKING. I DROVE MY CAR ON FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND THE JERKING WAS NOT AS AGGRESSIVE. I DROVE HOME ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON FROM WORK AND I COULD TELL THAT SOMETHING WAS STILL JERKING BUT CONTINUOUSLY. SATURDAY MORNING MY CAR WAS JERKING SO AGGRESSIVELY, I CALLED OWINGS MILLS MERCEDES AND LEFT IT THERE. I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY, MAY 27, 2015, THAT MY CAR NEEDED BETWEEN $1900 AND $7500 WORTH OF WORK. MY COOLANT IS LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION. IF MY RADIATOR CAN NOT BE FIXED, I WILL NEED A NEW RADIATOR AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DOING RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE C CLASS MERCEDES. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.

Mileage: 130,000

20150527FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK FROM PARKVILLE TO BALTIMORE CITY AND MY CAR BEGAN AGGRESSIVELY JERKING. I DROVE MY CAR ON FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND THE JERKING WAS NOT AS AGGRESSIVE. I DROVE HOME ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON FROM WORK AND I COULD TELL THAT SOMETHING WAS STILL JERKING BUT CONTINUOUSLY. SATURDAY MORNING MY CAR WAS JERKING SO AGGRESSIVELY, I CALLED OWINGS MILLS MERCEDES AND LEFT IT THERE. I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY, MAY 27, 2015, THAT MY CAR NEEDED BETWEEN $1900 AND $7500 WORTH OF WORK. MY COOLANT IS LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION. IF MY RADIATOR CAN NOT BE FIXED, I WILL NEED A NEW RADIATOR AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DOING RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE C CLASS MERCEDES. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.

Mileage: 130,000

20140922SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SINK INTO THE FLOOR CREATING AN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20140922SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SINK INTO THE FLOOR CREATING AN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20140906FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN JUNE 2014, AFTER EVERY TIME I FILLED THE GAS TANK, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR, AUGUST 2, 2014 CAR JUST CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, LOST ALL POWER LIKE IT WAS GETTING NO GAS AND JUST CUT OFF. AUGUST 5, FILLED GAS TANK TO TAKE TO SHOP AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND GAS LEAKED FROM UNDERSIDE OF DRIVERS SIDE REAR AREA AND AGAIN STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR, DID SOME INVESTIGATION TO FIND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER MERCEDES CARS. APPARENTLY THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THE E SERIES FROM THE YEAR 2004 FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS A DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AND MERCEDES SHOULD BE CALLED OUT TO FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 180,900

20140829FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER DRIVING 1 MILE FROM HOME, THE AIR CONDITIONED SYSTEM SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE DRIVER'S VENT INTO THE CABIN. I LEFT THE CAR UNINJURED AND CALLED 911. FIREMEN CAME 10 MINUTES LATER AND I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE LEFT VENT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD MELTED COMPLETELY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, AND MY INSURER DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. I'M GLAD THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY, THOUGH THE INCIDENT WAS REALLY SCARY. I HAD RECENTLY TAKEN MY CAR (3 MONTHS AGO) TO THE MERCEDES DEALER FOR A SERVICE THAT COST ME MORE THAN $6,000, AND THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO RUN LIKE NEW. THE AC HAD NEVER FAILED BEFORE THIS. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

20140829FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

AFTER DRIVING 1 MILE FROM HOME, THE AIR CONDITIONED SYSTEM SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE DRIVER'S VENT INTO THE CABIN. I LEFT THE CAR UNINJURED AND CALLED 911. FIREMEN CAME 10 MINUTES LATER AND I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE LEFT VENT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD MELTED COMPLETELY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, AND MY INSURER DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. I'M GLAD THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY, THOUGH THE INCIDENT WAS REALLY SCARY. I HAD RECENTLY TAKEN MY CAR (3 MONTHS AGO) TO THE MERCEDES DEALER FOR A SERVICE THAT COST ME MORE THAN $6,000, AND THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO RUN LIKE NEW. THE AC HAD NEVER FAILED BEFORE THIS. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

20130527ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE SRS AND NUMEROUS OTHER MALFUNCTIONS COME ON. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE BLINKERS ARE TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. AT FIRST TURNING THE CAR OFF THE MALFUNCTIONS WENT AWAY ONLY TO COME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE AIR BAGS, SEAT-BELTS WONT WORK IN A ACCIDENT. ALONG WITH IF LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE AFTER PAYING THOUSAND TO HAVE IT FIXED IT REAPPEARS AFTER A YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY WIRE AND SENSOR. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20130527SEAT BELTS

THE SRS AND NUMEROUS OTHER MALFUNCTIONS COME ON. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE BLINKERS ARE TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. AT FIRST TURNING THE CAR OFF THE MALFUNCTIONS WENT AWAY ONLY TO COME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE AIR BAGS, SEAT-BELTS WONT WORK IN A ACCIDENT. ALONG WITH IF LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE AFTER PAYING THOUSAND TO HAVE IT FIXED IT REAPPEARS AFTER A YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY WIRE AND SENSOR. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20130527AIR BAGS

THE SRS AND NUMEROUS OTHER MALFUNCTIONS COME ON. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ALONG WITH THE BLINKERS ARE TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. AT FIRST TURNING THE CAR OFF THE MALFUNCTIONS WENT AWAY ONLY TO COME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE AIR BAGS, SEAT-BELTS WONT WORK IN A ACCIDENT. ALONG WITH IF LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE AFTER PAYING THOUSAND TO HAVE IT FIXED IT REAPPEARS AFTER A YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY WIRE AND SENSOR. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20100707ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

RE: C 240 MERCEDES 2004. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON LONG DRIVES ON THE INTERSTATE, SHORT DRIVES ON THE INTERSTATE, AND STREET DRIVING. THE MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANY CODES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DEFECT. WE HAD THE CRANK SENSOR CHANGED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT A WORN CRANK SENSOR MIGHT BE THE CAUSE. IT WAS NOT. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR 'S ENGINE SHUT DOWN AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

Compare 2004MERCEDES-BENZC240 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 have?
The 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 has 31 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240?
The most-complained component for the 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C240 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.