The Lemon Index

All cars · Mercedes-Benz C-Class · 2005

2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index52100 = average car
Complaints23NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold60,658U.S. model year
Per 100K sold38complaints
Year rank#10 of 15#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 8

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.8L 4-cyl superchargedAuto 5-spdRWD21 / 29 / 24Premium$3,200
1.8L 4-cyl superchargedManual 6-spdRWD20 / 29 / 23Premium$3,350
2.6L 6-cylAuto 5-spdRWD17 / 23 / 20Premium$3,850
2.6L 6-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD17 / 23 / 19Premium$4,050
3.2L 6-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD17 / 24 / 20Premium$3,850
3.2L 6-cylAuto 5-spdRWD18 / 24 / 20Premium$3,850
3.2L 6-cylManual 6-spdRWD17 / 24 / 19Premium$4,050
5.4L 8-cylAuto (S5)RWD14 / 20 / 16Premium$4,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,600 and 110,500 miles. Median 78,000, from 81 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags90,00027,000–122,00023
Electrical105,00026,800–123,50013
Engine41,00011,300–87,90012
Transmission & drivetrain77,40020,100–111,00010
Seats78,20051,000–102,2008

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags39%
Engine35%
Tires13%
Transmission & drivetrain9%
Electrical9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
13515101008

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 24V874000 Nov 2024 Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 22V954000 Dec 2022 Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 19V918000 Dec 2019 Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 16V081000 Feb 2016 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Ko

    Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy. MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 73

Mercedes-Benz filed 73 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • The engine oil line may come into contact with the radiator shroud, the steering gear or the…
  • Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit
  • Noise: A rattling noise may be heard from the area of the chain drive for approx

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2002775064,025Engine
2003452465,982Transmission & drivetrain
2004–1569,251Visibility
2005522360,658Airbags
2006–1450,187Tires
2007–1363,701Engine
2008402972,471Tires

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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