Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz 280 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

95 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

105,050 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1971 to 2000 model years. Data updated: . 44 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 95 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues3840.0%
Engine operation1212.6%
Braking behavior99.5%
Transmission and shifting11.1%
Steering behavior11.1%

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
15
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
15
Electrical System:Wiring
12
Vehicle Speed Control
7
Engine And Engine Cooling
5
Air Bags
4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
Air Bags:Frontal
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System15
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood15
Electrical System:Wiring12
Vehicle Speed Control7
Engine And Engine Cooling5
Air Bags4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine4
Air Bags:Frontal3

Electrical System: 15; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 15; Electrical System:Wiring: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
12
100,000 to 149,999
12
150,000 and above
11
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9994
75,000 to 99,99912
100,000 to 149,99912
150,000 and above11

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 11

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 51 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
6
1996
5
1997
11
1998
4
1999
9
2000
3
2001
3
2002
2
2003
4
2004
7
2006
11
2007
13
2008
8
2010
1
2011
2
2012
4
2014
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19956
19965
199711
19984
19999
20003
20013
20022
20034
20047
200611
200713
20088
20101
20112
20124
20142

1995: 6; 1996: 5; 1997: 11; 1998: 4; 1999: 9; 2000: 3; 2001: 3; 2002: 2; 2003: 4; 2004: 7; 2006: 11; 2007: 13; 2008: 8; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2014: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 38 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 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 10154946 · 2006-04-10 (April 10, 2006)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154946 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 ↗

Owner report 608166 · 1999-02-01 (February 1, 1999)

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 608166 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068188 · 2004-05-03 (May 3, 2004)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 127,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068188 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1994
0
1995
0
1996
0
1997
0
1998
0
1999
0
2000
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19940
19950
19960
19970
19980
19990
20000

1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz 280 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
197103Not available
197201-2
197302+1
197601Not available
1994180Not available
19954700
19961300
1997500
1998300
1999300
2000600
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

95 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

46.3%Usable mileage44 / 95 records
86.3%Valid incident date82 / 95 records
100.0%Valid filing date95 / 95 records
86.3%Ordered incident and filing dates82 / 95 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 System86,500–153,000 mi126,500 mi14
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:Wiring:Front Underhood86,750–136,500 mi94,202 mi12
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 ↗

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 ↗

ODI 10087041 · 150,000 mi

MY SON'S CAR QUIT RUNNING. THE MECHANIC AT THE GARAGE DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERHOOD WIRING HARNESS HAD COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. HE SPOKE WITH A MERCEDES MECHANIC WHO TOLD HIM THIS WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS ERA CAR WITH THIS ENGINE. I SPOKE WITH A MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WHO SAID THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF AN ISSUE. I POINTED OUT THAT I WAS SEEING COMPLAINTS ON THE NHSTA SITE. HE DENIED THEIR EXISTENCE. HERE ARE THE ODI ID NUMBERS I FOUND IN A QUICK SEARCH. THEY ALL DESCRIBE THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM: 769109 10059002 10005610 8…

Look up ODI 10087041 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Wiring92,000–133,250 mi125,500 mi10
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 ↗

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 ↗

Vehicle Speed ControlToo few reports for a range150,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10389389 · 150,000 mi

THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BADLY DETERIORATED DUE TO USING POOR MATERIALS. THIS IS A VERY HIGH OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT IT CAN CAUSE STALLING, SUDDEN ACCELERATION, FIRE AND IT CAN ALSO CAUSE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO OTHER VEHICLE SYSTEMS. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OUT OF CONCERN FOR CONSUMER SAFETY, AND EXPENSE.

Look up ODI 10389389 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine CoolingToo few reports for a range105,050 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10226079 · 70,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10226079 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

ODI 10208159 · 104,000 mi

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT/BLOWN HEAD GASKET. BAD O2 SENSOR. EVENTUALLY TRACED TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THE MERCEDES 280C IS SINGLED OUT FOR SMOG ONLY CHECK IN CA. *TR

Look up ODI 10208159 at NHTSA ↗

Air BagsToo few reports for a range20,100 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10053082 · 35,200 mi

NON DEPLOYMENT OF ALL AIRBAGS ON A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280

Look up ODI 10053082 at NHTSA ↗

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:EngineToo few reports for a range101,500 mi2 (sparse)
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 ↗

ODI 10172882 · 132,000 mi

MY CAR ACTS HAZARDOUS. FROM TIME TO TIME INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCUR LIKE ENGINE STALLS,ENGINE ERRATICALLY INCREASE RPM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR NO REASON, GAUGES NOT WORKING FROM TIME TO TIME, WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINES SEEMS TO STALL BUT RUNS ON 3 CYLINDERS I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF TO RESTART. MY CAR WENT OFF AND TOOK 6 TRIES TO GET THE CAR STARTED. REPLACED HEAD GASKET AT 130K ANOTHER MERCEDES BENZ PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10172882 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

1 reports2024-102026-09

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
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

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.

2026-09 (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:Wiring:Front UnderhoodElectrical System:WiringVehicle Speed ControlEngine And Engine CoolingAir BagsEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineAir Bags:Frontal
Electrical System—00
1
ODI 10389389 · 150,000 mi

THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BADLY DETERIORATED DUE TO USING POOR MATERIALS. THIS IS A VERY HIGH OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT IT CAN CAUSE STALLING, SUDDEN ACCELERATION, FIRE AND IT CAN ALSO CAUSE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO OTHER VEHICLE SYSTEMS. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OUT OF CONCERN FOR CONSUMER SAFETY, AND EXPENSE.

Look up ODI 10389389 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10244954 · 106,100 mi

1.TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GAUGE HAS INTERMITTENT ISSUES. ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ONE COLD MORNING. 2. ENGINE STALLS / STUTTERS WHEN COLD. LOST POWER TO CAR AND ALMOST HIT A WALL TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. 3 3. NO MONEY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE YET. I DRIVE A DIFFERENT CAR DAILY AND TRY TO AVOID USING THIS ONE. *TR

Look up ODI 10244954 at NHTSA ↗

000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood0—
1
ODI 10209811 · 59,187 mi

1995 MERCEDES C280 SEDAN. MILEAGE 59,187. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECTIVE DUE TO POOR SUBSTANDARD OEM QUALITY HAS DETERIORATED INTERNALLY AND VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS IN MANNER WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR FIRE. VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE. MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FAULT INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND RELATED VEHICLE MODELS. COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $1700. REPAIR DONE OUT OF POCKET TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND FIRE. *TR

Look up ODI 10209811 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10208159 · 104,000 mi

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT/BLOWN HEAD GASKET. BAD O2 SENSOR. EVENTUALLY TRACED TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THE MERCEDES 280C IS SINGLED OUT FOR SMOG ONLY CHECK IN CA. *TR

Look up ODI 10208159 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10172882 · 132,000 mi

MY CAR ACTS HAZARDOUS. FROM TIME TO TIME INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCUR LIKE ENGINE STALLS,ENGINE ERRATICALLY INCREASE RPM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR NO REASON, GAUGES NOT WORKING FROM TIME TO TIME, WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINES SEEMS TO STALL BUT RUNS ON 3 CYLINDERS I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF TO RESTART. MY CAR WENT OFF AND TOOK 6 TRIES TO GET THE CAR STARTED. REPLACED HEAD GASKET AT 130K ANOTHER MERCEDES BENZ PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10172882 at NHTSA ↗

0
Electrical System:Wiring0
1
ODI 10209811 · 59,187 mi

1995 MERCEDES C280 SEDAN. MILEAGE 59,187. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECTIVE DUE TO POOR SUBSTANDARD OEM QUALITY HAS DETERIORATED INTERNALLY AND VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS IN MANNER WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR FIRE. VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE. MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FAULT INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND RELATED VEHICLE MODELS. COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $1700. REPAIR DONE OUT OF POCKET TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND FIRE. *TR

Look up ODI 10209811 at NHTSA ↗

—00000
Vehicle Speed Control
1
ODI 10389389 · 150,000 mi

THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BADLY DETERIORATED DUE TO USING POOR MATERIALS. THIS IS A VERY HIGH OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT IT CAN CAUSE STALLING, SUDDEN ACCELERATION, FIRE AND IT CAN ALSO CAUSE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO OTHER VEHICLE SYSTEMS. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OUT OF CONCERN FOR CONSUMER SAFETY, AND EXPENSE.

Look up ODI 10389389 at NHTSA ↗

00—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
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 ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling
1
ODI 10244954 · 106,100 mi

1.TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GAUGE HAS INTERMITTENT ISSUES. ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ONE COLD MORNING. 2. ENGINE STALLS / STUTTERS WHEN COLD. LOST POWER TO CAR AND ALMOST HIT A WALL TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. 3 3. NO MONEY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE YET. I DRIVE A DIFFERENT CAR DAILY AND TRY TO AVOID USING THIS ONE. *TR

Look up ODI 10244954 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10208159 · 104,000 mi

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT/BLOWN HEAD GASKET. BAD O2 SENSOR. EVENTUALLY TRACED TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THE MERCEDES 280C IS SINGLED OUT FOR SMOG ONLY CHECK IN CA. *TR

Look up ODI 10208159 at NHTSA ↗

00—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—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 ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine0
1
ODI 10172882 · 132,000 mi

MY CAR ACTS HAZARDOUS. FROM TIME TO TIME INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCUR LIKE ENGINE STALLS,ENGINE ERRATICALLY INCREASE RPM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR NO REASON, GAUGES NOT WORKING FROM TIME TO TIME, WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINES SEEMS TO STALL BUT RUNS ON 3 CYLINDERS I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF TO RESTART. MY CAR WENT OFF AND TOOK 6 TRIES TO GET THE CAR STARTED. REPLACED HEAD GASKET AT 130K ANOTHER MERCEDES BENZ PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10172882 at NHTSA ↗

0000—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—

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.

5 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

13 mentions · 13.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 129,000 mi (10 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 ↗

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 ↗

ODI 10164197 · 90,000 mi

1995 MERCEDES C280 DISINTEGRATING ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT. MANY PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH TRYING TO REPAIR BUT TO NO AVAIL.. FOUND OUT NOW AFTER OPENING THE WIRING COVER THAT ALL OF IT WAS DUE TO DISINTEGRATING WIRING THAT EXPLAINS WHY SOMETIMES STALLING AND ROUGH RUNNING OR FAULT CODES NEED RESET! *JB

Look up ODI 10164197 at NHTSA ↗

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

5 mentions · 5.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 130,000 mi (4 usable records).

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 ↗

ODI 10172363 · 78,330 mi

(1) WHILE DRIVING MY 95 MERCEDES C280 ON I-44 HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION I HIT A SMALL BUMP. IMMEDIATELY THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, BUT THE ENGINE SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM, SO THEY CHECKED THE WARNING LIGHT AND FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS TO BE DETERIORATED, WHICH THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL HARNESS. AT $1745 TO REPLACE AND WITH IT OPERATING NORMALLY AND WITH THEIR ASSURANCE IT SHOULD NOT CAUSE A FIRE OR ANY OTHER PARTS TO FAIL, I HAVE NOT HAD IT RE…

Look up ODI 10172363 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10172882 · 132,000 mi

MY CAR ACTS HAZARDOUS. FROM TIME TO TIME INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCUR LIKE ENGINE STALLS,ENGINE ERRATICALLY INCREASE RPM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR NO REASON, GAUGES NOT WORKING FROM TIME TO TIME, WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINES SEEMS TO STALL BUT RUNS ON 3 CYLINDERS I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF TO RESTART. MY CAR WENT OFF AND TOOK 6 TRIES TO GET THE CAR STARTED. REPLACED HEAD GASKET AT 130K ANOTHER MERCEDES BENZ PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10172882 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 2.1% 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

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 2.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 202,122 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10471970 · 202,122 mi

CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR FRO SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, HOWEVER TODAY IT STARTED, WHAT SEEM TO BE A MISFIRE. I CHECKED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, IGNITERS AND THEY WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SMOKE FILED THE INSIDE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY CROSS ROAD, SO INSTANT PANIC SET IN, BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF VISION AND UNABLE TO BREATH FROM THE FUMES. I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES AND HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY HEALT…

Look up ODI 10471970 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 127,100 mi (1 usable records).

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 ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b