Most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems
Share of the 30 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz C240 complaints by model year
Best C240 years: 2001, 2002, 2003. Years to avoid: 2005. Compare all years →
2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 recalls (3)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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
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.
What 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 owners say
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240. While the contact's vehicle was parked, it was struck on the rear passenger side by a motorcycle. The front passenger, steering wheel, and rear passenger air bags deployed. The contact injured his right arm, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and recovered from a salvage yard. A police report was filed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. There were no recalls available. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 22,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240. The contact was calling on behalf of her spouse. While the vehicle was stationary at an entrance to a fuel station, a motorcyclist driving 40 MPH t-boned the contact's vehicle. The crash damaged the rear passenger door and part of the front passenger door. The steering wheel air bag and front driver and passenger side air bags deployed. The steering wheel air bag deployed violently and an unknown substance emitted, causing the driver to gag and have shortness of breath. As a result, the driver suffered from fluid to the lungs and cuts on his arms that required medical attention. The contact mentioned that the driver also retained fluid to the lungs and had to have a pleurex catheter cervical implant in order to drain the fluid on a daily basis. The driver of the motorcycle also sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. …
Engine & cooling
The electronic engine/gearbox protection switched off the engine while the car is on the move in a highway. The incidence happen twice in 2011 and 2012. Fortunately, I was able to pull over on the shoulder and restart the engine without any adverse incidence. But, the potential for catastrophic injury as a result of sudden loss of engine power in a highway concerns me.
While traveling at approximately 35 MPH the engine stalled without warning. We had just left home about two minutes before. With extreme difficulty in turning the steering wheel, we drifted to the side of the road and then restarted the car. This has happened twice before, once having just reversed out of a parking spot and then driving forward out of the parking lot at very slow speed and then again when reversing out of the garage. At other times, when first starting up the car in the garage and turning the key, there has been no ignition initially.
Fuel & propulsion system
The electronic engine/gearbox protection switched off the engine while the car is on the move in a highway. The incidence happen twice in 2011 and 2012. Fortunately, I was able to pull over on the shoulder and restart the engine without any adverse incidence. But, the potential for catastrophic injury as a result of sudden loss of engine power in a highway concerns me.
A moderate gas smell comes from driver side rear wheel. Hesitation upon start up. The result is due to a faulty fuel pump that causes a leak through crack lines in the fuel pump. The smell occurs when stationary and on the street which the fuel smell is also apparent inside the cabin.
2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 a good car?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 C240 rates use caution: 7.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the C240 at the same age. It is one of the C240 years we suggest avoiding. 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240?
The air bags — 8 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and fuel & propulsion system (4).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240, the most recent from November 19, 2024 (sun/moon roof assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz C240?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2002 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005. See the full Mercedes-Benz C240 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 41% 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.