1999 Mercedes Benz C230
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › C230 › 1999
These records cover every 1999 Mercedes Benz C230. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
29 complaints5 involved a crash1 involved a fire7 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Visibility/wiper
While driving on 11/21/2020 at about 930am on northbound I-75 doing about 70mph as the rest of traffic in georgia when my sunroof (not opened) suddenly detached and blew off the vehicle. I initially heard a loud noise and wasn't at first what happened. I looked up and sunroof panel with the glass…
While driving on 11/21/2020 at about 930am on northbound I-75 doing about 70mph as the rest of traffic in georgia when my sunroof (not opened) suddenly detached and blew off the vehicle. I initially heard a loud noise and wasn't at first what happened. I looked up and sunroof panel with the glass was gone. fortunately there were no vehicles around me so as far as I know no one was hit or injured. I eventually pulled over and looked at the top of the vehicle and the sunroof panel was gone. I finished by business that morning and retuned home safely to our home in ocala, fl.
- Vehicle speed control
I was driving to work on 75 north where speed IS 65mph at lunch hour and all of the sudden the car started to decelerate from 65 miles an hour to zero in seconds the car stopped, I saw my life before my eyes in my rearview mira as cars and semi trucks were swerving from plowing into me at 65 mph…
I was driving to work on 75 north where speed IS 65mph at lunch hour and all of the sudden the car started to decelerate from 65 miles an hour to zero in seconds the car stopped, I saw my life before my eyes in my rearview mira as cars and semi trucks were swerving from plowing into me at 65 mph to 75 mph...i only had seconds to remove myself from the vehicle to safety where I saw a jeep grand cherokee plow into my car at high speed I only had seconds to remove myself from my car and escape to safety and run to the side of the road yeah guard rail as I watched in horror my car being plowed into like an accordion and cut in half. I have had this same incident happened to me while my car was being serviced at the mercedes dealership and they gave me a loaner car 2013 to drive and the same thing happened to me while I was driving the new loaner car from the mercedes dealership, I was lucky as I was driving a loaner when it stopped accelerating it just started decelerating as I was near an intersection to coast to safety I believe this IS an occurrence and can happen to others that are driving these cars. *tr
- Suspension
The right suspension apron rusted, snapped upward, and the spring fell out the bottom of the car. it IS not drivable because the right front of the car IS almost on the ground. I brought the car to the dealer, and asked them to investigate why this happened. they said that there IS danger of the…
The right suspension apron rusted, snapped upward, and the spring fell out the bottom of the car. it IS not drivable because the right front of the car IS almost on the ground. I brought the car to the dealer, and asked them to investigate why this happened. they said that there IS danger of the other spring also falling out. the dealer believes that the apron failed due to the age of the car and the mileage on the vehicle. they stated that it was not their responsibility to fix the vehicle, and they did not believe it was a safety issue. i, however, disagree. there are many people complaining on-line of the same suspension problem with the e-class from 1994 to 1999 and the c-class from 1998 to 2000, the years when this particular suspension design was used. mercedes no longer uses this suspension design on newer vehicles. I believe that this IS a catastrophic failure of the suspension due to it poor design, and that the public needs to be aware of this significant safety problem. I believe that mercedes should take responsibility for this problem. there are cars on the road that are much older, with much higher mileage, that have intact suspensions. luckily, my car was not running at the time. if I had been on the road, especially on the highway, lives could have been lost. I could just quietly repair the vehicle. however, I feel it IS my duty to report what I believe IS a significant safety problem for the years this suspension design was used. I have pictures of the damaged parts/suspension if you need to see them.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz C230. While driving approximately 25 mph, a vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a fractured chest and bruising, and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz C230. The contact was driving 10 mph and attempting a left turn when another vehicle crashed into the front of her vehicle. The contact was wearing her seat belt but the air bags did not deploy. The driver side front bumper was damaged. The contact…
TL* the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz C230. The contact was driving 10 mph and attempting a left turn when another vehicle crashed into the front of her vehicle. The contact was wearing her seat belt but the air bags did not deploy. The driver side front bumper was damaged. The contact sustained injuries over her entire body and was taken to the hospital. The police were notified and a report was filed. The insurance company was contacted and the vehicle was towed to an auto body shop but the air bags was never checked for the failure. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
- Suspension › Front
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz C230. The contact heard a banging noise while she was driving approximately 50 mph. Upon examination, the contact noticed that the front passenger side of the vehicle was resting on the front tire. She also noticed that the front passenger side coil spring…
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz C230. The contact heard a banging noise while she was driving approximately 50 mph. Upon examination, the contact noticed that the front passenger side of the vehicle was resting on the front tire. She also noticed that the front passenger side coil spring mount fractured from the vehicle due to severe rusting. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the contact was informed that the undercarriage had rusted severely and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 140,000.
- Air bags › Frontal
TL* - the contact stated that while driving the 1999 mercedes C230 at 35mph the front right tire slipped and the vehicle rolled over a number of times in a residential area. the driver's side airbag didn't deploy. There was a police report and an insurance report. The weather was not a factor in the failure. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling
Dt*: the contact stated while at an idle, there was vibration in the vehicle. also, while applying the accelerator pedal, there was a hesitation. the dealership replaced the oxygen sensor, but the problem returned. the vehicle was taken back to the dealership, who determined the inner cooling…
Dt*: the contact stated while at an idle, there was vibration in the vehicle. also, while applying the accelerator pedal, there was a hesitation. the dealership replaced the oxygen sensor, but the problem returned. the vehicle was taken back to the dealership, who determined the inner cooling system was leaking oil onto the mass air flow sensor. the inner cooler system, valve, mass air flow sensor, and oxygen sensor were replaced.
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Vehicle was at a complete stand still. Consumer was rear ended, which forced her into the back of a truck. However, the air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled. Consumer was injured. Please provide any further information. *nm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for repairs. After vehicle was returned to consumer she drove the vehicle and appeared to be satisfied. The next day vehicle had no electrical power. Also, it was discovered that vehicle was in a flood, but was not informed of this by the dealer. *ak
- Electrical system · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Service brakes, hydraulic
Nar 04/28/2003 mr non comformity and major defects with preowned car purchased. Defects include, air condtioner unit, brakes, and faulty electrical wiring causing light bulbs to be replaced. *cb
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system
Fuel gauge failure:reads more than there IS at times; has resulted in running out of fuel;erratic reading even after filling tank with fuel;will show full and a few minutes later shows empty. also, brake light bulbs buring out at 1 to 2 month intervals. sometimes dash indicator light shows burned out bulb when all are working, other times light has burned out and indicator light IS not on.*ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
The windshield wipers had become inoperative, obstructing the driver's view. the dealer stated that the wiper motor needed to be replaced, and would cost $1000. *ak *scc *jb *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS brakes light stays on. consumer has to turn car off before light goes off. Then, once applying brakes lights come on again.*ak
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Conusmer states that all power windows will malfunction,windows will not go down. Contacted dealer replace part, problem still accuring. nlm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Fuel gauage does not register correct levels of fuel, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
When travling a t any speed will not come to a stop when there IS rain or snow. Contacted dealer, and the dealer can not find anything wrong. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system
The fuel gauges does not register the correct amount of fuel, which caused driver to run out of fuel, sending unit(s) were replaced, consumer experienced the same problem six months later, feb of 2000 fuel level sensors replaced, problem resurfaced december 2000, instrument cluster found faulty. *cj
- Tires
Michelin MXV4 plus (p205/60r15) experienced blowout, causing damage to the rim, michelin replaced the tire at at discount but would not pay for the damaged rim. *slc
- Seat belts › Integrated child seat
Mercedes brand infant restraint seat does not fit in rear of car, toddler seats don't provide saftey straps to restrain child or teather to secure seat. *ak
- Vehicle speed control › Cables
Had started vehicle after being parked for a few hours. The engine was idling fast. Put vehicle into gear & had foot on brakes, vehicle took off. Finally idling was slowed & vehicle operated well. Contacted dealer & had vehicle picked up. Was informed by mechanic later that other vehicles do same fast idling. Was placed on diagnostic machine. Now waiting for new computer component system.
- Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system
Gas tank level indicator failed. *yc
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed. *yc
- Fuel system, other
Gas gauge does not function properly. Has been to dealer & informed consumer that the problem was known. problem with gas gauge cannot be fixed. Manufacturer working on corrective solution. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10186141NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10186135If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
- 10181124Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10167563The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30).
- 10166099Pneumatic comfort systems with insufficient performance, entirely inoperative or leaky.
- 10164810Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
- 10151959Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- 10135599Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
- 10028624Mercedes vehicle: the anti-lock brake system (ABS) return flow pump running without control with corresponding fault code c1401, clean and insulated the connector for the return flow pump relay. Models 202 and 208. Model years unknown.
- 10028586Mercedes vehicle: the srs indicator lamp IS illuminated and code b1058 and b2dbo are stored, replace the srs control unit. Models 203 and model 209. Model years unknown.
- 10028585Mercedes vehicles: the xenon or bi-xenon headlamp not functioning. A function description can be found in wis document gf8s.10-p-20010 (203), gf82.10-p-0003q (209); gf82.10-p-3002r (230). Model years uknown.
- 10022893Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit. Mercedes-benz model C230, C280, C350, slk280, slk350, clk350, clk550, E350, E550, cls550, S600, and sl550. Equipped with M272 engine or M273 engine. Updated 8/28/08.
- 10020460Play in the rack and pinion steering system. Models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. Mercedes benz. Updated 5/13/09.
- 606293Conditions with hesitation after a cold start and rough shift 1-2 and 2-3 during warm up.
Every Mercedes Benz C230 model year
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