2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 vs 2003 Mercedes-Benz C230
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 | 2003 Mercedes-Benz C230 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 54 | 51 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 45 | 53 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 3 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | — | — |
| Median reported mileage | 48,660 mi | 65,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mercedes-Benz C230 | Mercedes-Benz C230 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 16 | 19 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 6 |
| Power Train | 3 | 8 |
| Visibility | 5 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 3 |
| Suspension | 4 | 2 |
| Engine | 3 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 8 | 5 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 8 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 6 |
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230
2003 Mercedes-Benz C230
Compare all Mercedes-Benz C230 vs Mercedes-Benz C230 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.