There are 3 owner-reported lighting complaints for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I WENT TO CHANGE MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION ALL FLAKING OFF TO ABOUT SIX INCHES FROM THE BULB CONNECTOR. I SEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND OTHERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME THING. I SUSPECT SINCE THESE WIRES ARE HIDDEN INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE COMMON.
THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS. ALMOST EVERY AUTO MANUFACTURE IS MAKING THERE HEADLIGHTS OUT OF MATERIAL THAT CLOUDS UP AFTER A COUPLE OF YEAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT HAS CONTINUED FOR MORE YEARS THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. WHEN THE LIGHTS CLOUD UP THEY BECOME VERY DIM AND CAST SHADOW ON IMAGES THAT THEY SHOULD BE ILLUMINATING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN RURAL AREAS AND HIGHWAYS THAT ARE NOT LIGHTED. LIGHTS ARE AS IMPORTANT AS THE OTHER SAFETY ITEMS IN A VEHICLE. IS THE FIX REALLY TO HAVE SOMEONE BUFF AND POLISH THEM A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ALL MANUFACTURES *TR
TAIL LIGHT BULB CARRIER HOUSINGS HAVE BURN/MELT MARKS FROM OVERHEATING. ONE CARRIER HAS MELTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. OCCASIONAL BURNING SMELL NOTED. BULBS CONSTANTLY GO OUT SINCE THEY DO NOT HOLD IN CARRIER PROPERLY. REQUIRES READJUSTING BULB OR USING ELECTRICAL TAPE TO PROPERLY SECURE BULB TO CARRIER HOUSING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2008 TO 2011 C SERIES MODELS - SAME ISSUE IS BEING SEEN ON A 2005 C SERIES. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026