Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗INCORRECT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER CODIFICATION
- 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
- 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 BAG MODULE/FMVSS 208
- 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
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (5)
5 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 2 | 40% |
| Seats | 2 | 40% |
| Air bags | 1 | 20% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 20% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | 20% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 20% |
How 2005 compares with other C-Class years
Best and worst C-Class years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 7 | 1 |
| 2000 | 8 | 0 |
| 2001 | 14 | 0 |
| 2002 | 31 | 0 |
| 2003 | 9 | 0 |
| 2004 | 15 | 1 |
| 2005 | 5 | 2 |
| 2006 | 9 | 2 |
| 2008 | 13 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 24 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 370 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 24 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $3,400 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $3,400 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.6 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.6 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.6 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 2.6 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | $5,150 | 555 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2005 C-Class for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class FAQ
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 08V303000 (electrical), 05V560000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems?
Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (2), Seats (2), Air bags (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?
EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 21 city, 29 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2005 C-Class compare with other years?
Among the 1999–2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2002 the most (31). The 2005 drew 5. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.