MERCEDES-BENZ C320 · model year

2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320

19 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005MERCEDES-BENZC320 carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 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 2005 C320 is seats with 2 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (2) and exterior lighting (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 2005 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.

19
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

19 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
SEATS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
AIR BAGS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER1
ENGINE1
STEERING1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
POWER TRAIN1

Recent Complaints

20210202ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, MY SON WAS USING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS SMOKING, WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN THE BACK OF MY SONS SWEATSHIRT.

Mileage: 110,000

20210202SEATS

WHILE DRIVING, MY SON WAS USING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS SMOKING, WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN THE BACK OF MY SONS SWEATSHIRT.

Mileage: 110,000

20190702POWER TRAIN

THE BATTERY KEEP DRAINING WHICH MAKE THHE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE

20190702UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BATTERY KEEP DRAINING WHICH MAKE THHE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE

20190616UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A SMALL SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR LOCK BREAKS WHICH KEEPS THE DOOR FROM OPENING ONCE LOCKED. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPAIR HOW TO VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF A PERSON IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDS TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY, THIS BROKEN LOCK CAN KEEP THEM STUCK INSIDE THE CAR UNABLE TO ESCAPE.

Mileage: 105,000

20190222EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I WENT TO CHANGE MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION ALL FLAKING OFF TO ABOUT SIX INCHES FROM THE BULB CONNECTOR. I SEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND OTHERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME THING. I SUSPECT SINCE THESE WIRES ARE HIDDEN INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE COMMON.

Mileage: 205,000

20190115VISIBILITY/WIPER

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY I HEARD THIS LOUD EXPLOSION. MY EARS WERE RINGING AND I FELT AS IF IT WAS RAINING BUT ONLY GLASS. LUCKILY IT DID NOT GET INTO MY EYES AND I STOPPED THE VEHICLE SAFELY AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT EVERYTHING IS INTACT AND I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER OBJECT; HOWEVER, MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, MERCEDES BENZ, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS RELATED TO SAFETY AND I REALLY THINK THAT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Mileage: 171,000

20180715AIR BAGS

I HAVE GOT ANYTHIN G IN MAIL I LIKE TO KNOW IF IT'S ON THE RECALL LIST THE LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF SRS..

Mileage: 122,000

20170608ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 FOR THREE YEARS AND ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SOFTWARE, THE ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOCKED, NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT, A CITY STREETS OR A HIGHWAY. MANY PHONE CALLS TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THE HEADQUARTER, THEY DIDN'T TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR!!! MERCEDES-BENZ WANTS PEOPLE EITHER FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE! DIE NATURALLY OR SELL THEIR CARS.

Mileage: 136,000

20170608ENGINE

I OWN A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 FOR THREE YEARS AND ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SOFTWARE, THE ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOCKED, NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT, A CITY STREETS OR A HIGHWAY. MANY PHONE CALLS TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THE HEADQUARTER, THEY DIDN'T TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR!!! MERCEDES-BENZ WANTS PEOPLE EITHER FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE! DIE NATURALLY OR SELL THEIR CARS.

Mileage: 136,000

20170608STEERING

I OWN A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 FOR THREE YEARS AND ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SOFTWARE, THE ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOCKED, NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT, A CITY STREETS OR A HIGHWAY. MANY PHONE CALLS TO MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THE HEADQUARTER, THEY DIDN'T TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR!!! MERCEDES-BENZ WANTS PEOPLE EITHER FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE! DIE NATURALLY OR SELL THEIR CARS.

Mileage: 136,000

20160602AIR BAGS

RECALL

20140913EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS. ALMOST EVERY AUTO MANUFACTURE IS MAKING THERE HEADLIGHTS OUT OF MATERIAL THAT CLOUDS UP AFTER A COUPLE OF YEAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT HAS CONTINUED FOR MORE YEARS THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. WHEN THE LIGHTS CLOUD UP THEY BECOME VERY DIM AND CAST SHADOW ON IMAGES THAT THEY SHOULD BE ILLUMINATING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN RURAL AREAS AND HIGHWAYS THAT ARE NOT LIGHTED. LIGHTS ARE AS IMPORTANT AS THE OTHER SAFETY ITEMS IN A VEHICLE. IS THE FIX REALLY TO HAVE SOMEONE BUFF AND POLISH THEM A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ALL MANUFACTURES *TR

Mileage: 87,467

20121022FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING BURNING ODOR PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A QUARTER SIZE HOLE THAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE CONTACT'S LEFT PANT LEG. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,500.

Mileage: 75,500

20110404ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWENTY SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO INSTANCES OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND ALSO A MECHANIC SHOP AND NEITHER FACILITY WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.

Mileage: 84,500

20100927ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,253. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/10/11

Mileage: 34,253

20091018FireSEATS

MY DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER CAUGHT FIRE YESTERDAY WHILE IN USE. IT STARTED WITH SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACKREST PORTION OF THE SEAT AFTER SWITCHING THE HEATER ON, AND THEN BEGAN TO FLAME. I TURNED OFF THE WARMER SWITCH AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. I NOW HAVE A HOLE IN THE BACKREST WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

20060530ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I OWN A 2005 E320 CDI MERCEDES DIESEL. THE CAR GIVES OFF BLACK SMOKE (INTERMITTENTLY) AND A BLACK TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE (BLACK SOOT) POURS OUT OF MY EXHAUST SYSTEM. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MERCEDES AND THEY STATE, "THE CAR IS OPERATING WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS." THE DEALERSHIP (SKYLAND AUTOMOTIVE, ASHEVILLE, NC) STATES THAT IT IS DUE TO POOR QUALITY DIESEL FUEL. I HAVE CONSIDERED LEGAL ACTION UNDER THE NC LEMON LAW, BUT WOULD RATHER HAVE THE PROBLEM SOLVED. *JB

Mileage: 6,240

20051105ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES WHERE I START DRIVING AND THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THEN WILL REGAIN POWER. IT IS WITHIN THE FIRST 5-10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. 4 OTHER FRIENDS HAVE INDICATED THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH LOSS OF POWER. MOST ARE THE SAME MODEL. *JB

Compare 2005MERCEDES-BENZC320 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 have?
The 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 has 19 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320?
The most-complained component for the 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 is SEATS with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2005 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.