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Mercedes-Benz C240 Repair and Maintenance - Get an online auto repair estimate for your Mercedes-Benz C240

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Mercedes-Benz C240 Repair and Maintenance

Image for Mercedes Benz 2001 2005 Mercedes Benz C240

Mercedes-Benz C240 Questions and Answers

benz01, 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240, West Windsor, NJ

about every 6 months a series of stalling episodes occur. stalling occurs when car comes to stop at traffic light. 89k miles

shekar, 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, Charlotte, NC

I just got a whopper of a repair bill on my Mercedes C240. The mechanic says I need a new Lateral Accelerometer Pedal and Thrust on Bushings (total cost $1000). This is his diagnosis after an ESP w...

benz01, 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240, West Windsor, NJ

Where is this sensor located on this model and how is it rpelaced?

REPAIRMEN61, 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, Hampton, VA

Is it simple to remove the cover on the engine in order to get to the spark plugs and other engine parts? if so where are the screws or bolts that fasten it to the engine?

suebee, 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, Warner Robins, GA

Hi, my windshield wiper fluid light keep coming on after I've put in fluid, do I have to use a special fluid for my car?

suebee, 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, Warner Robins, GA

Thasnks for responding. I tried filling it again, I used the whole 3.78 liter jug. How big is the washer fluid container? I haven't noticed any fluid leading right now and the light is off so I wil...

suebee, 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, Warner Robins, GA

The CD changer is in the glove compartment. When I push cd it gives the message No CD Changer and when I try to eject it, it won't open> any suggestions???

iris, 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, Mulvane, KS

car dies suddenly but will start back up again

Andres62, 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240, Lake Worth, FL

I would like to upgrade my brake disc(rotors) to cross-drilled. But I only see upgrades for 4Matic (AWD). Would appreciate any feedback.

Snoop, 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, Tampa, FL

How do I replace the spark plugs in my 2003 C240 Mercedes Benz at my home and what special tools do I need to complete the process? Please advise.

Claude Wiseman

Ziggy, 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, Happy Valley, OR

My air conditioning stops working, and starts again if I press the button.It may work for days without any problem and some days it happens a few times.

MBman, 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, Chattanooga, TN

I change my own oil in my C240 and want to know how to reset the engine maintenance notification on the control panel.

Dervech, 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240, Corozal, PR

Hi I have a MB C240-2002 with just 50,000 miles - the transmission stay in low, I turn of the car & wait for15 minutes when I turn it on again the problem was gone, but as soon as i get home th...

GoRams, 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, Rosemead, CA

How to change brakes

Jozanne, 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, Schenectady, NY

I have a C180 Mercedes Benz 2002. (there wasnt an option for this on dropdown) I recently had to replace the Head Set, skim the engine, replace the breather house, chain tentionor and air filter a...

pappi, 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, Wilmington, CA

no light on my inner tail light at the passeger side is there a fuse for each side of the tail light I did check the bulb dont see tungsten wire broken what seem to be the problem on this situation

tess415, 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, San Francisco, CA

What might cause oil consumption when the car is driven at high speeds (60-65mph) for a distance of 60-150 miles?

cbenz, 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, Jackson, TN

My car would make a funny noise when I turned the ignition and when it finally started it ended up quitting on me after stopping at a red light.

attyandrea, 2004 Mercedes-Benz C240, Cambridge, MA

I* need a new alternator. Should I have my pricey dealer service center do it with a new alternator, or is a remanufactured alt installed by my local mechanic with a warranty just as good. New wi...

suprsport68, 2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, Myrtle Beach, SC

Can I replace it myself? How? If not, how much would it cost me at the dealership to replace it?

Mercedes-Benz C240 Car Reviews (6)

2004 Mercedes-Benz C240, TonyNassar.com, Agawam, MA, January 23, 2010 05:34

How To fix:
- Brake light switch failure can cause the ESP and BAS warnings to illuminate.
- The SRS (airbag) light may illuminate if liquid is spilled into the seat belt buckles or pools underneath the seat and gets into the electrical connector for the seat belt pretensioners.

2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, johnwalker3, Beaverton, OR, January 19, 2010 00:55

I love my car. I bought it used from a friend and plan to run it until it dies of really old age. It handles well, runs well. I am getting ready to have some needed maintenance done soon. It is a great car but, when I first got it I went to So Cal to see a friend, 15hours at 70+ mph and 1000 miles. The drivers seat is a little too stiff for me. I have a really bad back so I bought a seat cover that has a built in tension for the lumbar spine and a seat with fans. This made the drive very comfortable. I am thinking about getting an AMG package retrofitted. I took out the MB radio and placed a Kenwood with Blue Tooth, USB support, and HD radio. Next I will replace the factory speakers. They are Bose and I have never been a great fan of their speakers except for the 301 series III I have in my sound system at home. I had a decked out Ford Taurus, a 5 star rated car, which I loved but at about 100,000 miles it started having major problems. I got the MB at 103,000 and it is tight and takes the mountains in Oregon and back roads with such precision I have to be careful of over steer, something I had to do for the Taurus. The turning radius is so small I can get in tight spot easily. It is not as wide as the Taurus but is not really a compact car. I can fit in most parking spots with ease. I will never have an other brand of car.

2005 Mercedes-Benz C240, Alwayswin, Stoughton, MA, October 19, 2009 12:53

Until now, every car I've owned has been a Chevrolet and the need for repairs were usually based on the car's usage. When I purchased this Mercedes, I was riding the train to work 5 days a week and only driving the car to and from the station which was 4 minutes from my house. Twice a year, after owning the car for 2 years, the car needs repairs. I really expected more for the money but this has been a huge disappointment and I would not dare to recommend this car to anyone.

2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, kmz1122, Festus, MO, July 12, 2009 16:54

This is the worst car I have ever owned. It is in the shop more than I drive it, for large and small repairs. I had 2 infinites prior to this one and thought I would try this car, BIG MISTAKE. Never again,.,

2005 Mercedes-Benz C240, Ladybug Driver, San Francisco, CA, December 10, 2008 09:50

My friend has this car and swears he'll never buy a Mercedes again - the quality has gone way down in recent years. The car is often in the shop for repairs, the interior is 'chintzy' and it doesn't handle well. It's really an overpriced vehicle that will land you in the repair shop.

2003 Mercedes-Benz C240, RouletteLEX, Lake Grove, NY, September 09, 2008 09:43

Multitude of problems just keep on coming with no end in sight

Mercedes-Benz C240 Problems

Brakes
  • Due to the size and materials of the brakes on these vehicles, the brakes start to squeak around the 50 percent wear point. The brake rotor surfaces become uneven, causing a lip to form at the outer edge of the rotor. Because of this, the rotors are usually replaced when the pads are worn (pad life varies depending on driving style and terrain).
  • Brake fluid should be flushed every two years to prevent premature anti-lock brake system (ABS) failure.
Engine
  • Oil leaks from the PCV vent housings on the valve covers and inspection plates on the front of the engine are common.
  • The rubber bond in the harmonic balancer can decay, which causes the balancer to move and work its way into the timing chain cover. If the balancer comes into contact with the timing cover while the engine is running, it will fracture and damage the timing case and potentially other surrounding parts. The harmonic balancer should be inspected at every service.
  • Oil leaks from the oil level sensor are common.
  • The crankshaft position sensors tend to fail. Symptoms of this are: The engine will crank—but not start—especially when the engine is warm. The car may start again if it is left to cool off, but it may run roughly or have poor performance. Communicating these specific symptoms to your technician can save diagnostic time.
Exhaust & Emissions
Suspension & Steering
  • Irregular and premature tire wear can be caused by the front thrust link bushings cracking and causing excessive movement in the suspension. The thrust link bushings are fluid-filled (to help reduce vibration), so if they crack, they will leak oil.
  • Sway bar end link joints cause a knocking noise when going over bumps.
  • The hold down nut for the upper front strut area can become loose, causing a knocking noise. This can be repaired without removing the strut assembly.
Drive Train
  • A vibration felt through the center floor of the vehicle can be caused by driveshaft flex discs, which crack and shred, causing excessive driveshaft movement. Not repairing these can cause damage to the driveshaft center support bearing, or, in the worst case scenario, damage to the transmission or differential.
  • High mileage or older vehicles develop leaks at the differential seals and cover; the whole unit needs to be resealed to repair the leaks.
  • The wire connector on the transmission leaks fluid into the wiring harness. If not repaired, the oil will migrate through the wiring harness and damage the transmission control module. A new harness and control module are required to fix the problem.
Electrical & Lights
  • Brake light switch failure can cause the ESP and BAS warnings to illuminate.
  • A bad seat control module can cause a dead battery. Spilling liquid on the front seats can cause these modules to fail.
  • CD changers suffer from internal mechanical problems and may need replacement.
  • The SRS (airbag) light may illuminate if liquid is spilled into the seat belt buckles or pools underneath the seat and gets into the electrical connector for the seat belt pretensioners.
Heating & Air Conditioning
  • A repetitive clicking noise from behind the center area of the dash panel is usually caused by a broken stepper motor actuating arm. The actuating arm controls the direction of air flow in the climate control system. Disassembly of the center console will be required to access and change the broken arm with the updated, reinforced part.
  • The heater case for the center vents can crack near the stop sensors. If the stops break, the control motor will not know when to stop and will run continuously.
  • The heater box is susceptible to mildew buildup.

Mercedes-Benz C240 Recalls and TSBs

Mercedes-Benz C240 Recalls (Recent)

Body, Interior & Misc.: AIR BAGS
Campaign Number: 05V560000
Dates Manufactured: 05/2004 to 11/2005
Number of Vehicles Affected: 61,000
Model Years Affected: 2005
Date Owner Notified: 03/2006

Defect Summary: 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 Summary: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES.

Corrective Summary: 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.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2006020005.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Body, Interior & Misc.: SEAT BELTS
Campaign Number: 03V534000
Dates Manufactured: 08/2003 to 10/2003
Number of Vehicles Affected: 4,348
Model Years Affected: 2004
Date Owner Notified: 12/2003

Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY HAVE A BURR ON A METAL COMPONENT OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE PRESENCE OF THE BURR COULD PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Consequence Summary: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2003 120006.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Electrical & Lights: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Campaign Number: 08V303000
Dates Manufactured: 11/2002 to 05/2008
Number of Vehicles Affected: 404
Model Years Affected: 2005

Defect Summary: 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 Summary: 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.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL RECODE THE SCN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2008 070001.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Mercedes-Benz C240 Technical Service Bulletins (Recent)

None reported.

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Most Common Mercedes-Benz Repair Estimates

Maintenance Service B
$358 - $667
Maintenance Service A
$187 - $270