2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class Problems & Complaints

Average36% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C Class at the same age

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the C Class at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (2 complaints, typically around 37,000 miles).

8complaints
0recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class problems

  • Engine & cooling~37,000 miles
    225%
  • Stability & traction control~139,000 miles
    225%
  • Speed control & acceleration~139,000 miles
    225%
  • Brakes~139,000 miles
    225%
  • Wheels & tires~51,000 miles
    113%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~59,000 miles
    113%
  • Electrical system~80,000 miles
    113%
  • Suspension~157,000 miles
    113%
  • Body & structure~157,000 miles
    113%

Share of the 8 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz C Class complaints by model year

19951996199819992000200120022003200420052006200849667814319155913
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz C Class. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best C Class years: 1996, 1998, 2000. Years to avoid: 2002, 2004, 2008, 2001. Compare all years →

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class:

Sudden engine shut down

NHTSA investigation SQ01010 · opened Sep 25, 2001 · closed Feb 4, 2002

Engine crankshaft pulley failure

NHTSA investigation PE03058 · opened Dec 17, 2003 · closed Apr 22, 2004

The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all Mercedes-Benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures…

Transmission malfunction

NHTSA investigation DP05007 · opened Nov 7, 2005 · closed Mar 27, 2006

The petitioner alleges that coffee from a cup, placed in the cup holder, spilled onto the gear shifter and shut down the vehicle?s entire electrical system. The concern raised by the petitioner was investigated (sq01-010) and was closed after odi concluded that the facts did not demonstrate a safety-related defect.odi has subsequently received nine more complaints alleging fluid contamination of the transmission…

2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.3L 4-cyl supercharged5-speed automaticRWD19 / 26 / 22
2.8L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD19 / 25 / 21
4.3L 8-cyl5-speed automaticRWD16 / 21 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class a good car?

Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 C Class rates average: 36% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C Class at the same age. It is one of the best C Class years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class?

The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys. Next are the stability & traction control (2) and speed control & acceleration (2).

How many recalls does the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz C Class?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 1998 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2001. See the full Mercedes-Benz C Class years comparison.

At what mileage do 2000 Mercedes-Benz C Class problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 59,000 miles; 14% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.