Mercedes Benz C320 Problems by Year
Mercedes Benz C320 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C320 year: 2001, 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2002 C320: 68 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2001 C320: 63 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2003 C320: 22 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2006 C320: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2007 C320: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2004 C320: 15 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes Benz C320 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 72 | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 46 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 21 | 5 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 16 | 6 | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| Power Train | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility | 13 | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 3 | 2 |
| Structure | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Suspension | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes Benz C320 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 C320 | 2 | 0 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2006 C320 | 2 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2005 C320 | 15 | 4 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2004 C320 | 15 | 3 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2003 C320 | 22 | 3 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2002 C320 | 68 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 C320 | 63 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Mercedes Benz: all Mercedes Benz models · Mercedes Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes Benz C320 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2001 (63), 2002 (68) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C320 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes Benz C320?
Electrical System, with 72 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz C320 have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.