Mercedes-Benz

C320

Compact Cars · model years 2001 to 2005

Includes C320, C320 4matic, C320 4matic (Wagon) and 1 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 11 C320 trims All Mercedes-Benz cars

The verdict

Best year: 2004. complaints: 15, below this model's typical 23; recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2002. complaints: 68, about 8.5x this model's typical 8; recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Mercedes-Benz C320
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
2001	1Gas	19	$4,050	3	63	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23%, SEATS 17%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%
complaints: 63, about 7.9x this model's typical 8 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 25 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	1Gas	19	$4,050	3	68	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 36%, SEATS 23%, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 5%
complaints: 68, about 8.5x this model's typical 8 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 6 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	4Gas	19	$4,050	3	22	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, POWER TRAIN 13%, AIR BAGS 11%
complaints: 22, below this model's typical 30 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	3Gas	20	$3,850	3	15	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17%, AIR BAGS 9%, VISIBILITY 9%
complaints: 15, below this model's typical 23 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	2Gas	19.5	$3,950	4	15	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 21%, SEATS 16%, AIR BAGS 11%
complaints: 15, in line with this model's typical 15 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 58 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2001: 19 to 2005: 19.5

Owner complaints2001: 63 to 2005: 15

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Mercedes-Benz C320 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.