2003 Ford Focus vs 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Ford Focus | 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 977 | 20 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 109 | 37 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 52 | 0 |
| Fire reports | 17 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–27 | 18–19 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 57,019 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Focus | Mercedes-Benz C240 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 522 | 4 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 82 | 0 |
| Steering | 73 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 60 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 51 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 46 | 5 |
| Suspension | 49 | 0 |
| Power Train | 48 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 60 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 22 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 20 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 19 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 9 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 7 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 0 |
2003 Ford Focus
2003 Mercedes-Benz C240
Compare all Ford Focus vs Mercedes-Benz C240 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.