Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission failed to shift, and the transmission appeared to be frozen in the 2nd gear. The contact stopped and turned off the vehicle and shifted into park (P); when the vehicle was restarted and shifted into drive (D), the vehicle was lunging and jerking. The contact stated that it was difficult to shift from drive (D) to park (P) or reverse (R), because the vehicle would lunge in the direction the transmission was shifted. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the transmission control module sensor. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,629.
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 35 MPH with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started to stall while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic linked the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: LI03.30-P-050027. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under the service bulletin. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
I was making a right turn stop at a light, when I attempted to accelerate the car took off as it was at a higher gear. Would not pick speed and high RPM. There was a pedestrian riding his bike and made a right turn and because his view was block my the sun he ended up rear ending my car and feel off his bike. The reason I am filing this compliant is if my car was not having this issue the accident could have been prevented bc there was no car in front of me. Thank god the rider was not badly hurt and just had a few scrapes and my car was okay so we went our separate ways. There are so many compliant about this same issues about the car not accelerating and gears getting stuck it is becoming ridiculous. I am sure there has been cases where people are severely injured or passed away bc of this issue but ones that didn't survived are not here to file their complaints. …
Takata recall" 2006 Mercedes Benz C230 I was driving home and my car started misfiring really bad, the check engine light came on and started flickering and stayed on and the lights in the car on the dash and on the radio started to flicker on and off and then the car just was limp it wouldn't even pick up speed it was slowing down on the freeway with very busy traffic .I was scared for my life and my friend that we were going to come to a complete stop in rush hour traffic . I tried to hurry home but it was would not pick up speed it keep going slower and slower and when we had to slow down or stop due to traffic it actually turned completely off twice and I was so scared that an acceident would happen it was misfiring and just a terrible experience this should be some kind of recall or something they need to look into it abc fix it before someone gets hurt or worse .
My car has a computer system problem. It has to be reset to where it wont erase what is already on the computer system. I can't drive it because its stalling or it shakes to much when u are stoped at a red light it girks alot and I can't drive it cuz it doesn't have a lot of power to get speed when using it on the highway I have had a second opinion on what is wrong with and its the computer system so please help I need assistance my husband and I are disabled also the speedometers is not working.
Takata recall- went in for recall SRS light turned on.dealer said it would cost 150- to find out problem, I've said isn' the SRS light is the airbag unit? He said no mechanic is going work if the red light is on, unless the red light not there.so I've asked what if something happens along the way? He said sorry, then( I rescheduled in 5 days. I took car home to get SRS-redligjt off.) at honolulu, Mercedes Benz.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz C230. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently to 10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
On or about May 17, 2011 my 2006 C230 at the time with 83,312, you drive normally, make a stop on a traffic light for example, when it's time to go, you release the brake, accelerate, and nothing happens except for rpms revving up. The gear shifter is in "d" drive, gauge between the odometer/tachometer shows "d" drive as well, however the car acts as if it was in neutral!!! Shifting into neutral, reverse, or park, or back into drive - doesn't help! It's like a transmission is stuck in neutral!!! Also, shifting into d+/- to engage manual shifting doesn't work! …
I was driving home and noticed that when I would accelerate after coming to a stop the car was extremely slugglish. I would have to almost floor the gas pedal in order for the car to begin moving. I pulled over and then put the car in neuttral. The jerked violently and shifted very hard as I then tried to put it in reverse and the into park. I tried to put the car back into drive and it would not accelerate at all. I had to turn the car off and then back on again in order to get it moving. The gears continued to shift violently. However, when I finally got moving again, the car would not go over 35 MPH. The car was inspected and an error code for the internal speed sensor came up, which is part of the valve body for the transmission. My car only has 59,000 miles on it. Mercedes is very aware of this problem on 2006-2007 C230 models! …
While driving the vehicle, the check engine light began to flash rapidly, the engine began to run extremely rough, had little power, and was no longer drivable. Luckily, this happened on a surface street and not on the freeway where, I believe, it could have resulted in harm to me or other drivers. The problem was caused by a defective plastic bushing in the intake manifold which broke and was sucked into valve #4 which then burned the valve. At the time of the incident, the vehicle had approximately 84,000 miles on it. I was informed by the mechanic who performed the repair on my vehicle that their mb parts supplier stated that mb is aware of this defective plastic bushing. However, the parts supplier was apparently not personally aware of it causing the type of extensive damage I experienced. …
Transmission complaints in other C230 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230, 24% of the model year's 116 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.