Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1994 Mercedes Benz 280 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

18 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

110,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 model year. Data updated: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 18 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues1161.1%
Braking behavior422.2%
Engine operation15.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
4
Electrical System:Wiring
3
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
3
Vehicle Speed Control
3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
Air Bags
1
Air Bags:Frontal
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System4
Electrical System:Wiring3
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
Air Bags1
Air Bags:Frontal1
Engine And Engine Cooling1

Electrical System: 4; Electrical System:Wiring: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
1
1996
3
1997
1
1998
2
2002
1
2003
1
2004
1
2006
2
2008
4
2010
1
2011
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19951
19963
19971
19982
20021
20031
20041
20062
20084
20101
20111

1995: 1; 1996: 3; 1997: 1; 1998: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 2; 2008: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10045725 · 2003-11-07 (November 7, 2003)

WIRING HARNESS IS BAD ON MY C280 MERCEDES. THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ADMIT IT. MY CAR STALLED GOING DOWN A HILL ON THE WAY TO PARK CITY. I ALMOST WRECKED IT. THIS INFORMATION IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, BUT MERCEDES WILL NOT DO A RECALL. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045725 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10059002 · 2004-02-25 (February 25, 2004)

WIRE HARNESS ON CAR FACTORY INSTALLED BY MERECEDES BECOMES BRITTLE AND CRACKS EXPOSING WIRING CREATING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059002 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 802873 · 1996-09-24 (September 24, 1996)

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ABS FAILURE, UPON BRAKING PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, BRAKES SEEMED INEFFECTIVE IN STOPPING, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802873 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 822480 · 1998-04-16 (April 16, 1998)

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

18 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

44.4%Usable mileage8 / 18 records
88.9%Valid incident date16 / 18 records
100.0%Valid filing date18 / 18 records
88.9%Ordered incident and filing dates16 / 18 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component1994199519961997199819992000
Electrical System
422.2%
ODI 10237366 · 123,000 mi

1994 C280 MERCEDES HAS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT DUE TO WIRES SHEARING AND BEING EXPOSED. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND THAT THE INSULATION IS NOT HEAT RESISTANT. THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE DUE TO EXPOSED WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTED OUT A.C. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN NOW UNTIL WIRING HARNESS IS REPLACED DUE TO RISK OF FIRE. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP - JUST GLAD I CAUGHT IT WHEN I DID. *TR

Look up ODI 10237366 at NHTSA ↗

1021.3%
ODI 10176538 · 82,578 mi

THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS FOR THE ENGINE, FUEL INJECTION AND REST OF CRITICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE (1995 C280) HAS DISINTEGRATED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER SEEMED TO HAVE USED AN INFERIOR AN UNSUITABLE INSULATION FOR THE WIRES, WHICH, FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN TIME, DETERIORATE ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT AND PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM FUNCTIONING AS WELL AS CREATING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION (STALLING IN FREEWAY, FIRE IN ENGINE, ETC). THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY …

Look up ODI 10176538 at NHTSA ↗

17.7%
ODI 603983

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS HAS NUMEROUS FAILURES SINCE OWNER PURCHASED VEHICLE.

Look up ODI 603983 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
316.7%
ODI 10059002

WIRE HARNESS ON CAR FACTORY INSTALLED BY MERECEDES BECOMES BRITTLE AND CRACKS EXPOSING WIRING CREATING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10059002 at NHTSA ↗

1123.4%
ODI 10005610 · 80,000 mi

FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. RUBBER COATING HAS DETERIORATED EXPOSING COPPER WIRE, CAUSING ERRONEOUS SIGNALS OF SYSTEMS FAILURES ON DASH PANEL AND REPORTED DURING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.

Look up ODI 10005610 at NHTSA ↗

17.7%
ODI 10195095 · 90,000 mi

DURING A RECENT SERVICE OF MY VEHICLE AT AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSULATION COVERING MY WIRES WERE DECOMPOSING AND THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED TO THE ENGINE, HENCE CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES IF THE WIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A MATERIAL DEFECT. HE REVEALED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD OBSERVED THIS PROBLEM WITH 1996 280C- CLASS. SINCE THIS APPEARED TO BE A HABITUAL DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND M…

Look up ODI 10195095 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Wiring
316.7%
ODI 10045725

WIRING HARNESS IS BAD ON MY C280 MERCEDES. THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ADMIT IT. MY CAR STALLED GOING DOWN A HILL ON THE WAY TO PARK CITY. I ALMOST WRECKED IT. THIS INFORMATION IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, BUT MERCEDES WILL NOT DO A RECALL. *LA

Look up ODI 10045725 at NHTSA ↗

817.0%
ODI 10154946 · 128,000 mi

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY MERCEDES BENZ C-280 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT STATE THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OR YEAR. THE ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS WAS $1600. GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM FROM THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HERE, MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY TO THE DRIVER OF AN AFFECTED VEHICLE, BUT TO A…

Look up ODI 10154946 at NHTSA ↗

17.7%
ODI 10203462

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS MERCEDES C280 1996 THREE YEARS AGO (2004) IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE IT. *JB

Look up ODI 10203462 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Vehicle Speed Control
316.7%
ODI 515359

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED.

Look up ODI 515359 at NHTSA ↗

24.3%
ODI 10042362

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SPEEDOMETER JUMPING UP AND DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Look up ODI 10042362 at NHTSA ↗

17.7%
ODI 512075

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD OR ROCKS BACKWARD, PROBLEM STILL EXIST.

Look up ODI 512075 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 815232

WHILE IN REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE ABOUT 20 MPH, CAUSING $3200 DAMAGES ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 815232 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
15.6%
ODI 10226079 · 70,000 mi

MY 1994 MERCEDES BENZ WOULD STOP IN TRAFFIC FOR NO REASON. *TR

Look up ODI 10226079 at NHTSA ↗

36.4%
ODI 10068188 · 127,100 mi

8182225555: MERCEDES C 280 LEMON RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON 3/26/03/. I WALKED INTO ACURA AFTER TEST DRIVING THIS CAR W/ ERIK ON 3/27. I DROVE IT FOR 3 WEEKS. THE SRS LIGHT (AIRBAGS ) KEPT COMING ON W/ BUZZ NOISE. ON THE 5TH DAY, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE HEAD RESTRAINTS AND REAR BUTTONS DID NOT WORK. THE RADIO FREQUENTLY GOES IN AND OUT ON SEVERAL STATIONS. THE 3RD WEEK, THERE WAS A HEAVY OIL LEAK, LEAKING FROM THE OIL PAN AND HEAD GASKET. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND DOES NOT MEET USED CAR SAFETY STANDARDS. THE POWER STEERING HAD A LEAK. TH…

Look up ODI 10068188 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

116.7%
ODI 10199130

MERCEDES C280 ENGINE STALLING DUE TO CRANK SENSOR FAILURE CUSTOMER WANTS FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED ON 6/18/07 THE ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING HWY 91, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR AND CHARGED THE CONSUMER $428.60 FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE THE DEALER TO REIMBURSE THE AMOUNT FOR THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER THE DEALER DECLINED REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10199130 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags
15.6%
ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 515177

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT.

Look up ODI 515177 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 10053082 · 35,200 mi

NON DEPLOYMENT OF ALL AIRBAGS ON A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280

Look up ODI 10053082 at NHTSA ↗

116.7%
ODI 10587758 · 5,000 mi

SRS LIGHT COMES ON. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS TO AIR BAG SYSTEM, AT TIMES CAR STAYED AT DEALER FOR AS LONG AS A WEEK. THIS HAS OCCURRED FROM TIME OF PURCHASE TO PRESENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10587758 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

48.5%
ODI 10089014 · 71,000 mi

IN FOR OIL CHANGE HEAD GASKET BAD NEED $1500 KNOW MONEY FOR WORK . *AK

Look up ODI 10089014 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags:Frontal
15.6%
ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 812335

DRIVING VEHICLE; AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. HAD THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS REPLACED; TOOK TO DEALER WHO HAD REPAIRED PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Look up ODI 812335 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

116.7%
ODI 749232

I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A BUS AND ALSO SEVERELY STRUCK ON MY DRIVER SIDE - NO AIRBAG ACTIVATION, I WAS INJURED AND CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

Look up ODI 749232 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range138,500 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10237366 · 123,000 mi

1994 C280 MERCEDES HAS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT DUE TO WIRES SHEARING AND BEING EXPOSED. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND THAT THE INSULATION IS NOT HEAT RESISTANT. THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE DUE TO EXPOSED WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTED OUT A.C. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN NOW UNTIL WIRING HARNESS IS REPLACED DUE TO RISK OF FIRE. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP - JUST GLAD I CAUGHT IT WHEN I DID. *TR

Look up ODI 10237366 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10237975 · 94,000 mi

I HAVE A 1994 MERCEDEZ BENZ C280 AND WAS PURCHASED IN 2004 WITH APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MILES. NOT LONG AFTER HAVING THE CAR I START HAVING ERRATIC MISFIRE CODES SHOWING UP ON THE COMPUTER. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE A WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHICH THIS MAKE AND YEAR OF CAR IS HAVING. NOW I FIND ON THE INTERNET A REPORT DATED IN 2007 OF OVER 300 PEOPLE WITH MERCEDEZ VEHICLES FROM 1991 TO 1996 HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM. THIS SITE ASK IF I WOULD ADD MY CAR TO THE LIST.*TR

Look up ODI 10237975 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10340330 · 154,000 mi

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BRITTLE INSULATION; HAS HUNDREDS OF CRACKS; INSULATION IS FALLING OFF OF WIRES; IS SHORT CIRCUITING, MOTOR IS RUNNING ROUGH; MISSING SOME; SOUNDS LIKE ITS NOT RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS. WIRING HARNESS IS HEATING WHERE IT IS SHORT CIRCUITING. I HAVE SEEN SOME SMOKING; WAS ON FIRE ONCE SO FAR. *TR

Look up ODI 10340330 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:WiringToo few reports for a range135,500 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10154342 · 98,000 mi

WIRING HARNESS INSULATION DISINTEGRATION PROBLEM WITH A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280 [XXX] WIRING HARNESS INSULATION FAILURE CAUSING FREQUENT HESITATION OF THE VEHICLE . THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED SOME SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. TO SUM IT UP MERCEDES IS ALL TO AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT YET HAS OFFERED LIMITED ASSISTANCE TO THE CONSUMER. I AM CURRENTLY PURSUING ASSISTANCE FROM DAIMLER BENZ TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THE RESULTS OF HOW MERCEDES HANDLES THIS PROBLEM. *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INF…

Look up ODI 10154342 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10166285 · 173,000 mi

THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS (THAT SUPPLIES 12 VOLTS DC TO THE COILS THAT CONVERT IT INTO HIGH VOLTAGE FOR USE IN THE SPARK PLUGS), HAD A CRITICAL FAILURE IN THE WIRE INSULATION. OVER TIME THE INSULATION WILL HARDEN AND CRACK TO THE POINT THAT WIRES SHORT OUT. THIS FAILURE IS NOT LIMITED TO ONLY THIS HARNESS, IN FACT IT HAS BEEN FOUND TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL FIRES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. THOUGH MY CAR HAS NOT HAD A FIRE, THE HARNESS DID HAVE THIS INSULATION FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED CYLINDERS 2 AND 5 TO MISFIRE COMPLETELY, ON A PERMANENT BASIS UNTIL I …

Look up ODI 10166285 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Wiring:Front UnderhoodToo few reports for a range89,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10214160 · 89,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ 280. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT BEGAN HESITATING AND SURGING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Look up ODI 10214160 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine CoolingToo few reports for a range70,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10226079 · 70,000 mi

MY 1994 MERCEDES BENZ WOULD STOP IN TRAFFIC FOR NO REASON. *TR

Look up ODI 10226079 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 23 reports

1999: 1 complaints · 2000: 3 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1999111
2000133
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1999210
2000600

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentElectrical SystemElectrical System:WiringElectrical System:Wiring:Front UnderhoodVehicle Speed ControlService Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipAir BagsAir Bags:FrontalEngine And Engine Cooling
Electrical System—0000000
Electrical System:Wiring0—000000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood00—00000
Vehicle Speed Control000—0
1
ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip0000—000
Air Bags000
1
ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

0—
1
ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

0
Air Bags:Frontal000
1
ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

—0
Engine And Engine Cooling0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

2 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 11.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 822480

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD, HIT A WALL IN GARAGE, CAUSING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WHILE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 822480 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 828934

THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD FOR A SECOND. DRIVER HAS TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK

Look up ODI 828934 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 5.6% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10045725

WIRING HARNESS IS BAD ON MY C280 MERCEDES. THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ADMIT IT. MY CAR STALLED GOING DOWN A HILL ON THE WAY TO PARK CITY. I ALMOST WRECKED IT. THIS INFORMATION IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, BUT MERCEDES WILL NOT DO A RECALL. *LA

Look up ODI 10045725 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b