2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 65 of 140 complaints (46%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 77 in 2004 to 140 in 2005.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | vs. 2005 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,250–4,550 | 3,350–4,850 | 3,250–4,850 | 3,500–4,550 | 3,500–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–24 | 16–23 | 16–24 | 17–22 | 19–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–21 / 19–29 | 14–20 / 19–28 | 14–21 / 20–29 | 15–19 / 20–27 | 17–19 / 22–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–523 | 386–555 | 370–555 | 404–523 | 404–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 106 | 77 | 140 | 183 | 277 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 13 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 7 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Airbags & Restraints: 65 of 140 NHTSA complaints (46%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?
EPA rates it 16–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
EPA estimates $3,250–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (14)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S5) | 8 | 5.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 14 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
Show 4 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium or E85 | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium or E85 | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium or E85 | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium or E85 | Small Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 65 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 24V874000 · Nov 20, 2024
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 22V954000 · Dec 27, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 19V918000 · Dec 23, 2019
Defect: 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
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V081000 · Feb 11, 2016
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Campaign 08V303000 · Jul 9, 2008
Defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 05V560000 · Dec 20, 2005
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPORT MODEL STEERING WHEELS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN CERTAIN LOW RISK AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TESTS CONDUCTED BY NHTSA, USING AN OUT-OF-POSITION UNBELTED 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE CRASH TEST DUMMY, IRREGULARITIES WERE DEMONSTRATED INDICATING THAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED IN A CRASH.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.