Model year record

2001 Mercedes-Benz C320 recalls & problems

The 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320 has 3 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (26 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints63filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

VisibilityNov 19, 2024

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 24V87400033,456 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

VisibilityDec 23, 2022

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 22V954000131,653 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

VisibilityDec 20, 2019

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 19V918000747,928 vehicles

Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

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.

Fuel economy

C320

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/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	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Horn	26	0	1	64,000 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint; Front assembly › Power adjust	19	0	1	77,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine	11	1	0	46,700 mi
Exterior lightingTail lights; Brake lights	8	0	0	80,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	6	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)	6	0	0	50,500 mi
Vehicle speed control	5	2	0	108,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	5	1	0	41,905 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	5	4	0	90,254 mi
Steering	4	0	0	109,042 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	3	0	0	76,000 mi
Service brakes	3	0	0	136,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body › Door
The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact stated that there was rust on the bottom of the driverâs side and passengerâs side door panels. The contact stated that the water ran down, enter the door, and then failed to properly drain. The contact stated there were no drain plugs or holes for the water to drain from the door. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who took photos, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
May 10, 2001 · 99,000 miles
Visibility
The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Dec 28, 2019
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER, LOCATED IN MESA, AZ, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF FAILED CLOSE, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE DURING A CAR WASH. THE CONTACT STATED HAT THE ROOF LINING WAS DAMAGED FROM THE WATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mar 1, 2020 · 230,000 miles
Structure
2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE HEADLINER. *LD *JS
May 3, 2018
Electrical system
MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT A STRANGE CHURPING SOUND GOES OFF IN MY CAR CAUSING MY BATTERY TO DIE AGAIN. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN MY CAR HAS DIED IN AT NIGHT IN STRANGE AREAS AND I…
Jul 16, 2016
Unknown or other
I HAD A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BUT HAVE NOW BEEN RESOLVED THROUGH MANY REPAIR SHOP VISITS. I HAVE 109,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NOW. THE ISSUE THAT KEPT OCCURRING IS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT KEEPS COMING OFF. I ALREADY REPLACED IT ONCE AND THE PART ITSELF IS $350. I CAN BUY THE WHOLE DOOR FOR $300 AT THE SCRAP YARD. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I FEEL LIKE ITS THE GLUE AND MAYBE THE HOT HUMID WEATHER IS AFFECTING IT? I DID HAVE TO REPLACE A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE IT DRAINED SO QUICKLY. I THINK THE BATTERY WAS JUST BAD AND ITS BEEN FINE EVER SINCE.
Jun 15, 2010 · 85,000 miles
Electrical system
I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND TWO DAYS LATER THE SMART KEY WON'T TURN, CAN'T UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SHIFFTER THE GOOD THINK THE CAR WAS PARKED ON MY DRIVE WAY CALL TOW TRUCK TAKE TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAY I NEED A NEW KEY AND IGNITION CONTROL MODULE BUT ONLY DEALER CAN DO THAT, $1,400.00 DOLLARS JOB
Mar 29, 2016 · 109,042 miles
Vehicle speed control
I BOUGHT A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320 VEHICLE USED ON 9/19. AFTER TAKING IT HOME, I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE PETAL. I DOUBLE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WAS OFF AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AT A HIGH SPEED, UP TO 55MPH.WHEN I DRIVE, I AM CONSTANTLY HITTING THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM COLLIDING WITH OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE RPMS REACH 30,000 AND THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ACCELERATING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY ERROR CODES ON THIS CAR, SO HOW WAS THE CAR DEALERSHIP ABLE TO SELL THIS CAR LEGALLY? I NEED TO RETURN THIS VEHICLE ASAP. PLEASE HELP.
Sep 19, 2015 · 108,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.