MERCEDES-BENZ C320 · model year

2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320

23 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004MERCEDES-BENZC320 carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 C320 is fuel/propulsion system with 4 filings, followed by visibility (2) and air bags (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 C320. 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.

23
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
VISIBILITY2
AIR BAGS2
TIRES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENT1
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
STRUCTURE1
ENGINE1
STEERING1
SERVICE BRAKES1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1

Recent Complaints

20220904WHEELS

My right rear tire wares from the inside to the middle only the rest of the tire is good. I’ve had two blowouts because I can’t see that part of my tire without getting down on the ground to look at it. The part I see looks good. My tire seems to be kicked out a bit at the bottom. This is the only tire I have problems with.

20220904UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My right rear tire wares from the inside to the middle only the rest of the tire is good. I’ve had two blowouts because I can’t see that part of my tire without getting down on the ground to look at it. The part I see looks good. My tire seems to be kicked out a bit at the bottom. This is the only tire I have problems with.

20220904SUSPENSION

My right rear tire wares from the inside to the middle only the rest of the tire is good. I’ve had two blowouts because I can’t see that part of my tire without getting down on the ground to look at it. The part I see looks good. My tire seems to be kicked out a bit at the bottom. This is the only tire I have problems with.

20180118FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STRONG GAS SMELL

Mileage: 76,000

20161012AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IMPACT ACTIVATED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20150925FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I SMELT FUEL INSIDE MY CAR WHENEVER MY CAR WOULD BE FILLED TO A FULL TANK OF GAS AND FOR A PERIOD OF TIME UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL DROPPED. MY CAR STARTED TO DRIVE FUNNY AND NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY THEN STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. MERCEDES DIAGNOSED IT AS A FUEL SYSTEM ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE PARTS AT MERCEDES AND HAD IT REPAIRED AND THEN THEN RECEIVED A WEEK LATER A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM AS A SAFETY ISSUE. . THE DEALER DID NOT FIX MY CAR AND HAS AVOIDED THE ASSISTANCE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND I CAN NOT REACH ANYONE AT MERCEDES CORPORATE THAT CAN HELP.

20150721CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED KNEE, BACK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER INJURIES. WHILE WAITING ON POLICE AND MEDICAL SERVICE TO ARRIVE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS STILL FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. ..UPDATED 08/26/15 *BF MA 10/22/2015

Mileage: 69,000

20141007FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MANY OTHER MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS THE FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN BECAUSE A FAILURE IN THE FUEL SENDING UNITS. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

20140527FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 09/5/2014 *JS

Mileage: 56,000

20140116FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS FILLED WITH GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

20131025STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Mileage: 79,580

20131025SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Mileage: 79,580

20130528ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

20120323VISIBILITY

2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATION AND ISSUES WITH HEADLINER AND REAR SAIL PANELS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY PLACED BACK IN THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE DEEMED DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED, SHE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND SOON DISCOVERED THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS SHODDY. *JB

20120323STRUCTURE

2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MERCEDES BENZ CORPORATION AND ISSUES WITH HEADLINER AND REAR SAIL PANELS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY PLACED BACK IN THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE WINDSHIELD AND REAR GLASS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE DEEMED DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED, SHE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND SOON DISCOVERED THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS SHODDY. *JB

20110217LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHILE THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND STATED THEY HAD THE SAME FAILURE IN ANOTHER MODEL. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED A REQUEST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

20100917ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES C320 THAT INCORRECTLY THOUGHT THAT IT NEEDED TO CUT POWER TO THE VEHICLE WHEN I WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT. IT DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES, I WOULD GUESS ABOUT 6 OR 7, FROM THE TIME I LEFT MY HOUSE UNTIL I TURNED AROUND AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE LESS THAN 1/2 MILE DRIVING DISTANCE. THESE WERE NOT ALL COMPLETE LEFT TURNS, MOST WERE CURVES TO THE LEFT. MY WIFE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER LATER THAT DAY, AND DECIDED NOT TO HAVE IT LOOKED INTO BECAUSE IT DID NOT DO IT TO HER AND "THE CAR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED" ALSO SHE DECIDED SHE DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THAT WOULD NOT PRODUCE ANY FAULTS. IT HAS NOT DONE IT SINCE, ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW, BUT I CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED THAT IT WILL RECUR IN A MORE SERIOUS SITUATION. THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING THAT THE CAR IS WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE CUT POWER AS IT SHOULD WHEN IT DETECTS ONE OF SEVERAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT THERE WA

Mileage: 55,000

20090703VISIBILITY

I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR THE BLOWER AND I HAVE TO PAY WHATEVER PARTS THAT NEEDS REPLACING. NOW THE CAR IS ALMOST 60,000 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME LAST WEEK. I NOTICE THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND IT FAILS TO TURNOVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT DIDN'T START THE FIRST TIME, THE CEL CAME ON. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT LOOKS TIGHT TO ME. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE R

Mileage: 60,000

20090703ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR THE BLOWER AND I HAVE TO PAY WHATEVER PARTS THAT NEEDS REPLACING. NOW THE CAR IS ALMOST 60,000 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME LAST WEEK. I NOTICE THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND IT FAILS TO TURNOVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT DIDN'T START THE FIRST TIME, THE CEL CAME ON. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT LOOKS TIGHT TO ME. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE R

Mileage: 60,000

20090703ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I OWN A 2004 MB C320 AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT REACHED 40,000 MILES THE CAR ITSELF STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FROM THE REAR WINDOW SHADE WOULDN'T GO DOWN FOR WHICH I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY; THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE TEMP GAUGE IS INACCURATE; THE PASSENGER VISOR CAME OFF; THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULDN'T SHUT CLOSE AND THE. I WENT TO MB FOR THE YEARLY SERVICE- APRIL 2009 AND THEY WANTED $1300.00 FOR THE WINDOW SHADE; I THINK $500 FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE AND $125 FOR THE VISOR. AND THEY ALSO WANTED $800 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK FOR THE BLOWER AND I HAVE TO PAY WHATEVER PARTS THAT NEEDS REPLACING. NOW THE CAR IS ALMOST 60,000 MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME LAST WEEK. I NOTICE THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE ENGINE AND IT FAILS TO TURNOVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT DIDN'T START THE FIRST TIME, THE CEL CAME ON. I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT LOOKS TIGHT TO ME. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE R

Mileage: 60,000

Compare 2004MERCEDES-BENZC320 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 have?
The 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 has 23 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320?
The most-complained component for the 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 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.