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2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C320 5AT

All Mercedes-Benz C-Class W203 trims (2001–2007) → All Mercedes-Benz C-Class generations →
2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – front Unverified
Photo: Mercedes C-Klasse W203 front by M 93 ( talk ) 17:33, 30 December 2008 (UTC), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the W203 (W203, 2001–2007); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: Mercedes C-Klasse W203 front by M 93 ( talk ) 17:33, 30 December 2008 (UTC), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: Mercedes-Benz W203 C 230 Iridium Silver (6) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: Mercedes-Benz W203 C 230 Iridium Silver (5) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320, Rear Left, 12-25-2020 by SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: 2001 Mercedes-Benz W203 C200 Kompressor, rear left, 06-29-2024 by Ethan Llamas, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C320 5AT is a 3.2-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It is rated at 20 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type3.2L V6
Displacement3.2 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRear-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway24 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium Unleaded

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4-DR. w/SAB
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2-DR w/SAB: overall not rated

Recalls

No recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-CLASS.

140 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-CLASS

Owner Complaints

140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-CLASS (17 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 12 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags63
Electrical System17
Engine And Engine Cooling15
Power Train13
Seats11
Engine9
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 27, 2025 · Other/I Am Not Sure
“Just recently while driving with my front windows opened on my Mercedes 2005 C 320, I heard a Big thump on the passenger side of vehicle. At first, I thought it was a bird that flew in to Car. So…”
Mar 22, 2024 · Electrical System, Air Bags, Seats
“The SAM system failed and car would not start !It took months to be diagnosed by 3 different mechanics! The message said quite often that the Air bags have been deployed !The dealer could not…”
May 18, 2023 · Engine Fire
“Vehicle began smoking on highway. No check engine or indicator of any fault codes. No previous coolant or oil leaks, or fuel leaks appeared to be visible or of issue. Vehicle had to be pulled over on…”
Jun 22, 2022 · Seats, Engine, Visibility/Wiper
“I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT SLOWED DOWN ONLY GOING 40MPH. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW IT WANT GO IN REVERSE. THE ELECTRICAL HAS WENT OUT FOR MOVING THE…”
Sep 23, 2021 · Electrical System, Visibility
“The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240. The contact stated that rainwater had entered the vehicle through the sunroof and damaged the computer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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