Model year record
2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 recalls & problems
The 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 29 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (12 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C230.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (C230) 4-DR. w/SAB
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
C230 Kompressor
| City / highway | 19 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; 12v/24v/48v battery | 12 | 80,000 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch | 9 | 73,400 mi |
| Air bagsSide/window | 4 | — |
| VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor | 3 | — |
| SuspensionRear › Springs | 3 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 2 | — |
| Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch | 2 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingExhaust system | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Injectors | 1 | — |
| Structure | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C230 N/A. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRING COIL HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 290,000. UPDATED 06/30/16 *BF UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ *CN
- Electrical system
I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO READ MY MILEAGE FOR MANY YEARS NOW. I HAVE A 2000 C230. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CLUSTER HAD TO BE REPLACED @ AROUND $1000.00. FOUND THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE SINCE THE CAR AT THE TIME WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. IT'S A SHAME MERCEDES BENZ DOESN'T RECALL THIS PROBLEM. *TR
- Suspension
DRIVING TO WORK AT 3:45 A.M. (EASTERN TIME) MY CAR FELT LIKE IT HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD I PULLED OVER TO EXAMIN THE VEHICLE. I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING UNTIL I GOT TO WORK WHEN IT WAS MORE LIGHT OUT. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND THE COIL SPRING TOWER HAD RIPPED ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF???? I NOTICED RUST AND NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE LESS THE SHOCK THAT GO HIT BY THE SPRING. THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL OR SOME MANUFACTURE TSB. THE CAR IS SUPER CLEAN HAS 157,000 ON THE CLOCK. I INSPECTED THE OTHER WHEELS THEY APPEAR OK IT'S THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. *TR
- Air bags1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES C230. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND INJURED THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
- Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE A CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST $800 TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ODOMETER. UPDATED 10/07/11
- Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES C230. THE CONTACT STATED THE ODOMETER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GAUGE CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
2000 C230K MERCEDES. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION AND EXPRESSES DISSATISFACTION WITH DEALER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS DISTORTED AND BENT. ALSO, THE LOW BEAM LIGHT WAS OUT ON THE DASHBOARD.
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR STATE INSPECTION AND DID NOT PASS DUE TO THE ODOMETER BEING INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL THE FAILURE AND WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,663.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.