U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz C CLASS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

178 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

80,694 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1991 to 2006 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 126 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 39 of 178 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	67	37.6%
Engine operation	23	12.9%
Braking behavior	18	10.1%
Transmission and shifting	14	7.9%
Steering behavior	9	5.1%
Fuel system concerns	6	3.4%

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

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Electrical System:Wiring

Engine And Engine Cooling

Seats

Suspension

Unknown Or Other

Vehicle Speed Control

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	39
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	25
Electrical System:Wiring	15
Engine And Engine Cooling	15
Seats	8
Suspension	7
Unknown Or Other	7
Vehicle Speed Control	7

Electrical System: 39; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 25; Electrical System:Wiring: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling: 15; Seats: 8; Suspension: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 43; 150,000 and above: 10

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 52 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.

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

1998: 1; 1999: 5; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 10; 2003: 10; 2004: 21; 2005: 9; 2006: 29; 2007: 21; 2008: 23; 2009: 10; 2010: 13; 2011: 11; 2012: 5; 2013: 3; 2014: 3

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 67 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 23 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 18 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 10129347 · 2005-07-19 (July 19, 2005)

THE WIRE HARNESS ON THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OF INSULATION. THE BARE WIRES ARE HANGING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR RUNS POORLY AND SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASH CONSTANTLY WHICH REQUIRES DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE DECIDES IT IS TOO COSTLY TO GET DIAGNOSIS DONE REGULARLY SO I JUST UNPLUG THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER. IN ADDITION TO THE FIRE HAZARD, ACCIDENT HAZARD, NOW I AM COVERING UP OTHER POSSIBLE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS BY DISREGARDING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASH. MERCEDES WILL NOT D…

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129347 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10140668 · 2005-10-24 (October 24, 2005)

I HAVE A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280 VIN#[XXX] WITH ABOUT 84000 MILES ON IT AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MISFIRING, WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON RANDOMLY AND OTHER ELECTRICAL GREMLINS. I WAS CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD GETTING READY TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS TO TRY TO MAKE IT RUN BETTER, WHEN I NOTICED SOME BARE WIRES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS TO A CONNECTOR NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I REACHED DOWN TO REMOVE THE CONNECTOR AND WHEN I DID THERE WAS A POP, AND A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THAT AREA. THE HARNESS GOT …

Owner-reported narrative. 83,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140668 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10148813 · 2006-01-27 (January 27, 2006)

1994 C280 WAS BEING DRIVEN ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR REQUIRED TOWING TO THE MB DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $1500.00. MB IS NOT ONLY BRUSHING ASIDE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT, THEY ARE MAKING MONEY ON THE REPAIRS, WHAT A SCAM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148813 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007600 · 2003-02-16 (February 16, 2003)

MY 94 C-280 HAS A SOGGY BRAKE PEDAL. HAVE REPLACED 3 MASTERCYLINDERS, AND BLED LINES NUMEROUS TIMES. SEEMS THAT AIR IS GETTING INTO SYSTEM, BUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS LOSING NO FLUID.

Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007600 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10162552 · 2006-07-17 (July 17, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH., THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING ON ITS OWN AND ACCELERATING VEHICLE'S SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. AS THE CONTACT TURNED INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE FASTER AND THE SPEED INDICATOR NEEDLE MOVED PASSED THE MAXIMUM SPEED INDICATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHOOK AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD THE PROGRESS OF THE RACING ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF STOPPING THE VEHICLE. ON THE FIRST VISIT, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE REPLACEMENT PART UNAVAILABLE, THEREFORE THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162552 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10038660 · 2003-09-10 (September 10, 2003)

MAIN ENGINE HARNESS CORROSION ON A 1995 C 280 MERCEDES BENZ. THIS TYPE OF DETERIORATION IS NOT FROM ABUSE OF THE CAR. IT IS CAUSED BY POOR QUALITY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP. SHOULDN'S WIRES IN A VEHICLE LAST A LIFETIME? I COULD SEE REPLACING TIRES, BRAKES A TRANSMISSION, BUT AN ENGINE HARNESS. THIS PART IS NOT EVEN READILY AVAILABLE, IT NEEDS TO BE ORDERED IN GERMANY. I AND MY FRIEND BOTH OWN THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND WE ARE BOTH EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC INFORMEND ME THAT HE REPAIRED A FEW OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MODEL WITHIN THE LA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038660 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8005050 · 2002-03-05 (March 5, 2002)

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABRUPTLY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER 80000 MILES. *AK *TS

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 8005050 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10376256 · 2011-01-11 (January 11, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING MOMENTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V058000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1…

Owner-reported narrative. 119,293 miles reported. Look up ODI 10376256 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10307908 · 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)

MY MERCEDES 1997 C-280, PURCHASED FROM THE MERCEDES DEALER, HAS EXHIBITED SEVERAL INHERENT DESIGN ISSUES. THE ISSUE THAT IS THE GREATEST SAFETY ISSUE IS THE CONSTANT DETERIORATION/DESTRUCTION UNDER NORMAL USE OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, EVERY 50,000 MILES OR SO, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY MODERN CAR. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A CAR AT THAT FREQUENCY (AT $1000/ REPAIR), AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL FAIL. MOST PEOPLE EVENTUALLY GIVE UP. WHEN THESE BUSHINGS SUDDENLY FAIL, THE STEERING AND BRAKING ARE AFFECTED. IT IS ESPECI…

Owner-reported narrative. 144,431 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307908 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10319649 · 2010-03-15 (March 15, 2010)

MY CAR, 1995 MERCEDES C280, BACKFIRES, STUMBLES, LOSES POWER, AND SOMETIMES DIES WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE PLUG WIRES, IGNITION COILS, SPARK PLUGS, FUEL PUMP, AND FILTER. I HAVE REPLACED THE OVERLOAD PROTECTION RELAY, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, AND THE ENGINE COOLING FAN RELAY. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALL OF THESE WERE DONE AFTER CONTACT WITH MERCEDES BENZ AND DEALERS IN BOTH FLORIDA AND TENNESSEE. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319649 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10375150 · 2011-01-07 (January 7, 2011)

I PURCHASED A 2002 C240 MERCEDES IN 2006. THE CAR HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS UNTIL HERE RECENTLY. THE CAR BEGAN TO NOT START AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED THREE TIMES TO THE MECHANICS (DON ALLEN SERVICE CENTER ON ALLENTOWN ROAD, FORT WASHINGTON, MD). WAS TOLD I NEEDED A FUEL PUMP. I PAID $1,500 TO HAVE A NEW FUEL PUMP INSTALLED. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. IT HESITATES FOR ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS BEFORE IT TURNS OVER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO FUEL FILTER CHAN…

Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10375150 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

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

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1991

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

1991: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 1; 1997: 0; 1998: 1; 1999: 1; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 2

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz C CLASS model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1991	1	0	Not available
1994	15	0	Not available
1995	49	0	0
1996	6	1	+1
1997	3	0	-1
1998	6	1	+1
1999	7	1	0
2000	8	0	-1
2001	14	0	0
2002	31	0	0
2003	9	0	0
2004	15	1	+1
2005	5	2	+1
2006	9	2	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

70.8%Usable mileage126 / 178 records

94.4%Valid incident date168 / 178 records

100.0%Valid filing date178 / 178 records

93.8%Ordered incident and filing dates167 / 178 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Electrical System	213.3% ODI 10237934 · 108,000 mi I RECENTLY ACQUIRED THIS 1994 C-CLASS 4 CYL FROM MY FATHER WHO DROVE IT VERY LITTLE AROUND TOWN. IT ONLY HAD 108,000 MILES ON WHEN I GOT IT IN FEB., 2008. ON MARCH 24, 2008 I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. I PAID $1,400.00 FOR A NEW LOWER ENGINE WIRING HARNESS TO BE INSTALLED. TODAY AUG. 12,2008 I WILL BE PICKING UP MY CAR AT THE SHOP FOR THE UPPER WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE COST OF $450.00. THESE REPLACEMENTS ARE BOTH DUE TO THE HARNESSES CRACKING, AND SPLITTING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS… Look up ODI 10237934 at NHTSA ↗	1734.7% ODI 10209100 · 65,000 mi FAILURE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS WITH THE ROTTING AND CRACKING OF HARNESS HAS CAUSED ENGINE TO MISFIRE CAUSING RAPID POWER LOSS IN INTERSECTIONS. SHORTING OF CONNECTIONS CAUSE ECU RELATED MALFUNCTIONS AND READ ERROR CODES ON VEHICLE. PREMATURE DEGRADATION OF WIRING HARNESS. *TR Look up ODI 10209100 at NHTSA ↗	350.0% ODI 10172599 · 82,000 mi HESITATION/ NO RESPONSE FROM ENGINE. SIGNAL LIGHTS/ EMERGENCY FLASHERS NOT WORKING AT TIMES. THIS PROBLEM PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK SINCE IT WAS IN A INTERSECTION. *JB Look up ODI 10172599 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10458187 · 249,800 mi WAS DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR BEGAN BACKFIRING AND SPEED DROPPED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BEGAN TO BACKFIRE MORE. TEMP WENT UP AND CAR STARTED SMOKING. PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON CAR AND IT NEVER RESTARTED AGAIN. CONTACTED MB ASSIST AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A JUMP WITH THICK GAUGE CABLES AND THEY COULD SEND A TECH BUT THE CHARGES WOULD BE AT MINIMUM $100. ITS BEEN OVER A WEEK AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE PUT BATTERIES IN FOB (THEY NEVER HAD ANY BEFORE) , CHA… Look up ODI 10458187 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10261743 · 80,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C230. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WERE UNABLE TO BE READ, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1,500 TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. Look up ODI 10261743 at NHTSA ↗	428.6% ODI 10062684 VEHICLE BREAKDOWNS. *JB Look up ODI 10062684 at NHTSA ↗	722.6% ODI 10003576 · 6,670 mi ESP & BAS WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE MESSAGE SCREEN TWICE, ONCE ON 1-20-03 & AGAIN ON 1-27-03, THE FIRST TIME DEALER SAID IT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU DIDN'T TIGHTEN THE GAS CAP. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE MESSAGES WERE GONE THE NEXT DAY. ON 1-27-03 I CALLED RALLYE MOTORS TO TELL THEM & I HAVE AN APPT FOR MARCH 10, 2003. Look up ODI 10003576 at NHTSA ↗	222.2% ODI 10134422 · 18,300 mi MY MERCEDES-BENZ C-240 (2003 MODEL), HAVING LESS THAN 18500 MILES, SUDDENLY LOST POWER AFTER SOME 2-HOUR WORTH OF FREE-WAY DRIVING. AROUND NOON ON FRIDAY, 8/26/05, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH -BOUND ON I-15 PAST VICTORVILLE (CA), ABOUT 9 MILES PAST THE EXIT FOR ROUTE 18, WHEN MY C-240 SUDDENLY LOST POWER. AS I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, I FELT NO POWER AND THE RPM WAS DECREASING. IT FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE ENGINE-TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WAS SHUTTING DOWN. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. I MADE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LETTING OTHER VEHICLES KNOW I WAS COMING OFF TH… Look up ODI 10134422 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 10464581 · 58,000 mi I HAVE BLACK MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORTS SEDAN 2004 MODEL. CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AT MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE IS NO MODIFICATION MADE TO THIS CAR AND ALL THE SERVICING DONE AT MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. IT HAD ONLY 58000 MILES. LAST B SERVICING WHICH CHECKED ANY SAFETY RELATED ISSUES AND INCLUDES REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WAS DONE AT AUTHORIZED DEALER ON 02/18/2012. NO ISSUE WAS INFORMED ON 02/18/2012 TO US BY MERCEDES AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICING DEPARTMENT. ON 06/21/2012, WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR FROM … Look up ODI 10464581 at NHTSA ↗	120.0% ODI 10442578 · 105,000 mi SEAT CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. 2 MODULES PER CAR, 1 FOR PASSENGER SEAT, AND 1 FOR DRIVER SEAT FAIL. THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE UNIT WILL DEPLETE THE CARS BATTERY OVERNIGHT RESULTING IN A NO-START CONDITION THE FOLLOWING DAY. A NEW BATTERY, OR A JUMP START, WILL GET THE CAR GOING AGAIN. THE COMMON IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION IS TO UNPLUG THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE WHICH WOULD IMPACT THE SEATS ABILITY TO RESPOND IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REPLACEMENT PART AND DIAGNOSIS FROM MB DEALER IS APPROX $700/ MODULE. THIS IS A HUGE LIABILITY FOR MERCEDES OWNER… Look up ODI 10442578 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	746.7% ODI 10140668 · 83,500 mi I HAVE A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280 VIN#[XXX] WITH ABOUT 84000 MILES ON IT AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MISFIRING, WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON RANDOMLY AND OTHER ELECTRICAL GREMLINS. I WAS CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD GETTING READY TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS TO TRY TO MAKE IT RUN BETTER, WHEN I NOTICED SOME BARE WIRES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS TO A CONNECTOR NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I REACHED DOWN TO REMOVE THE CONNECTOR AND WHEN I DID THERE WAS A POP, AND A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THAT AREA. THE HARNESS GOT … Look up ODI 10140668 at NHTSA ↗	1632.7% ODI 10014643 · 107,000 mi THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD WAS STRIPPED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON. JB SCC Look up ODI 10014643 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10151604 I OWN A C 280 (96) [XXX] CAR STARTED CONSUMING MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, WAS HARDER TO START, STARTED MISSING AND DROVE SLUGGISH. I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES. BUT IT GOT WORSE, AND THEN QUIT, AS IF IT WAS OUT OF TIME. I SEND IT TO AN IMPORTED CAR SERVICE SHOP IN DALTON, GA. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MERCEDES BENZ BENZ. THE WIRING HARNESS UNDERHOOD (INSULATION ON THE WIRING) CRUMBLED TO PIECES, LIKE DUST AND SHORTED RELAYS AND ALL THE CAR. I PAID OVER $2600.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I STILL HAVE THE OLD HARNESS … Look up ODI 10151604 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.	17.1% ODI 10062684 VEHICLE BREAKDOWNS. *JB Look up ODI 10062684 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.
Electrical System:Wiring	16.7% ODI 10129347 · 70,000 mi THE WIRE HARNESS ON THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OF INSULATION. THE BARE WIRES ARE HANGING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR RUNS POORLY AND SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASH CONSTANTLY WHICH REQUIRES DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE DECIDES IT IS TOO COSTLY TO GET DIAGNOSIS DONE REGULARLY SO I JUST UNPLUG THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER. IN ADDITION TO THE FIRE HAZARD, ACCIDENT HAZARD, NOW I AM COVERING UP OTHER POSSIBLE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS BY DISREGARDING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASH. MERCEDES WILL NOT D… Look up ODI 10129347 at NHTSA ↗	1326.5% ODI 10016302 · 125,000 mi I BOUGHT A 1995 C280 AND THE WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS A POOR PLASTIC FORMULATION. THE COST IS >$1100. SINCE IT CONTROLS ALL THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE MY FEELING IS THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NLM Look up ODI 10016302 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.2% ODI 10049880 · 18,000 mi WHEN DRIVING 15 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. 15 SECONDS LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DUE TO SEVERE FIRE DAMAGE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK Look up ODI 10049880 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling	213.3% ODI 10421214 · 140,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT DETECTED EXTREMELY SMALL FLAMES AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. Look up ODI 10421214 at NHTSA ↗	24.1% ODI 10214173 · 140,000 mi ENGINE POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *TR Look up ODI 10214173 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10376256 · 119,293 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING MOMENTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V058000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1… Look up ODI 10376256 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	114.3% ODI 10163463 · 123,000 mi I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES C43, I LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS ON OUR VEHICLES. THIS PART WHEN FAULTY WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START WHEN THE CAR IS WARM. WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME TO "COOL DOWN" THE CAR WILL START. I WAS AT THE DEALER TODAY, AND THEY ARE AWARE THIS IS A HIGH FAILURE ITEM ON THIS MODEL. AS WELL AS THE CLK430, AND S430. BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. THERE ISN'T ANY SIGN THAT THIS PART IS FAILING, ON SOME INSTANCES THE CAR JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD… Look up ODI 10163463 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 10004536 VEHICLE HAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE. ONCE HE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A GROUNDING PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME HE HAD IT TOWED, HE WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. THEN HE BEGUN TO HAVE PROBLEMS OPENING THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY, THEN ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS OPEN THEN IT WOULD NOT ENTER THE IGNITION TO START THE AUTO. HE THINKS THIS CAR IS A LEMON. VEHICLE IS A MERCEDES C20, 2001. TS Look up ODI 10004536 at NHTSA ↗	516.1% ODI 10065172 · 39,000 mi WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON ONE OCCASION, BUT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE SECOND TIME. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 10065172 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	213.3% ODI 10087821 WILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE HOOD AND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ,BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB Look up ODI 10087821 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 10164130 · 9,000 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE PEDAL SHAKES WHILE DEPRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. Look up ODI 10164130 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	516.1% ODI 10252301 SEAT CONTROLLER MODULES, THEY CONSTANTLY DRAIN THE BATTERY WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES C CLASS. THE CONTROLLER DRAINS THE CAR BATTERY TO THE POINT WERE THE CAR CANNOT START, AND CONTINUES TO DO THIS IF THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN EVERYDAY. OBVIOUSLY HAVING A CAR BATTERY GET SUCKED BELOW 3V IS NOT HEALTHY FOR THE BATTERY, AND IN THE END EVERYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM HAS TO REPLACE THEIR BATTERY MANY MANY TIMES. *TR Look up ODI 10252301 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 10073225 · 1 mi NEW 2004 C230K COUPE. DRIVERS SEAT HAD SLIGHT ROCKING MOTION FORWARD AND BACK FROM THE DAY OF PURCHASE. NOTIFIED DEALER - SAID WAS NORMAL. ROCKING MOTION GOT WORSE AND AGAIN NOTIFIED DEALER AT 5000 MILES ON ODOMETER. DEALER SAID SEAT ADJUSTER WAS COMING LOOSE FROM SEAT FRAME, APPARENTLY THE BOLTS HAD "WALLOWED OUT" IN THE HOLES AND THE TWO PIECES COULD HAVE COME APART FROM EACH OTHER. MY WORRY WAS THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IT COULD HAVE SEPARATED AND A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD HAVE OCCURED SINCE THE PART I WAS SITTING IN WAS NO… Look up ODI 10073225 at NHTSA ↗	240.0% ODI 10442578 · 105,000 mi SEAT CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. 2 MODULES PER CAR, 1 FOR PASSENGER SEAT, AND 1 FOR DRIVER SEAT FAIL. THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE UNIT WILL DEPLETE THE CARS BATTERY OVERNIGHT RESULTING IN A NO-START CONDITION THE FOLLOWING DAY. A NEW BATTERY, OR A JUMP START, WILL GET THE CAR GOING AGAIN. THE COMMON IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION IS TO UNPLUG THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE WHICH WOULD IMPACT THE SEATS ABILITY TO RESPOND IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REPLACEMENT PART AND DIAGNOSIS FROM MB DEALER IS APPROX $700/ MODULE. THIS IS A HUGE LIABILITY FOR MERCEDES OWNER… Look up ODI 10442578 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	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 10566705 · 173,000 mi WAS DRIVING CAR AND HEARD LOUD NOISE GOT OUT AND SAW FRONT RIGHT SIDE WAS SITTING LOWER ON ONE SIDE. CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. HAD MY MECHANIC INSPECT. CONCLUDED THAT THE CUP HOLDER THAT HOLDS THE VEHICLES SPRINGS WAS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND OR DESIGN FLAW. THANKFULLY DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. *TR Look up ODI 10566705 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10330537 · 157,000 mi I HAD JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY, AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING SOCKET THAT CONNECTS TO THE UNIBODY HAD RUSTED AND BROKE, DROPPING THE SUSPENSION ON TOP THE TIRE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SOCKET WAS RUSTED AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO MENTIONED THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT MERCEDES HAD YET TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR Look up ODI 10330537 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 565474 C240 MODEL. CONSUMER STATES THAT RIMS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHCLE WERE FOUND TO BE BENT. DEALER REPLACED RIMS. *TT Look up ODI 565474 at NHTSA ↗	412.9% ODI 10439377 · 65,000 mi THIS IS A C230 KOMPRESSOR COUPE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THEN LOCKED UP AFTER BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY TO A SHOP. IT WAS LATER LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE EARLY 2002 C CLASS CARS BUT AS USUAL, THERE IS NO RECALL. I CONTACTED MBUSA AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THIS CAR HAS ALSO RECENTLY SHOWN EVIDENCE OF RUSTING. I CONTACTED MBUSA ABOUT THAT AND LEARNED THAT THE MB CORROSION PROTECTION IN THE U.S. IS MERELY FOUR YEARS. I ALSO FOUND THAT MOST OF THE OTHER GERMAN LUXURY AUTOMAKERS HAVE USED GALVINI… Look up ODI 10439377 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.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.0% ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 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.	17.1% ODI 10158412 2001 C240 CEILING FABRIC SAGS. TS THE FABRIC IN THE CONSUEMR'S DAUGHTER IN LAWS 2002 C240 ALSO SAGS ANS IS ONLY BEING HELP UP BY THE INTERIOR LIGHTNAR* Look up ODI 10158412 at NHTSA ↗	39.7% ODI 10014381 · 8,700 mi 3/03 WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASING MY 2002 C-240, THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING, FUEL GAUGE FAILED, HEADLIGHT WASHER BROKE, AND ONE OF THE VENTS ON THE DASH FELL APART. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS GIVEN ANOTHER 2002 C-240, AND WHILE DRIVING THE LOANER CAR IN THE MOUNTAINS, IT BEGAN DOWN SHIFTING ITSELF AND THERE WAS NO POWER. CAR WOULD COME TO COMPLETE STOP AND THEN WOULD START MOVING AGAIN. HAPPENED 6 TIMES. MERCEDES DEALER THOUGHT WAS ISOLATED INCIDENT. I FELT IT WAS VERY SERIOUS AS I WAS ON INTERSTATE WHEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY STOP … Look up ODI 10014381 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10075879 VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WHILE BEING SHIPPED. MR SC *JB Look up ODI 10075879 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 10056660 THIS DEFECT/CONCERN IS A GENERAL SAFETY COMPLAINT WITH RESPECT TO ALL VEHICLES WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY ENACTMENT OF STANDARDS TO BE USED BY ALL MANUFACTURERS. MAINLY THE STANDARDIZATION OF THE LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF KEY CONTROLS AND SWITCHES ON ALL AUTOMOBILES. IN TODAYS DRIVING, DRIVERS ARE PLACED BEHIND THE WHEEL OF UNFAMILIAR VEHICLES ALL THE TIME AS TRAVEL AND BUSINESS PUTS THEM IN RENTAL CARS. WITH EACH VEHICLE HAVING DIFFERENT LOCATIONS FOR LIGHT SWITCHES, FLASHERS, WINDSHEILD WIPERS/WASHERS, DIMMERS AND CRUISE CONTROLS. DRIVERS… Look up ODI 10056660 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	16.7% ODI 10162552 · 125,000 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH., THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING ON ITS OWN AND ACCELERATING VEHICLE'S SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. AS THE CONTACT TURNED INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE FASTER AND THE SPEED INDICATOR NEEDLE MOVED PASSED THE MAXIMUM SPEED INDICATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHOOK AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD THE PROGRESS OF THE RACING ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF STOPPING THE VEHICLE. ON THE FIRST VISIT, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE REPLACEMENT PART UNAVAILABLE, THEREFORE THE… Look up ODI 10162552 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10458187 · 249,800 mi WAS DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR BEGAN BACKFIRING AND SPEED DROPPED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BEGAN TO BACKFIRE MORE. TEMP WENT UP AND CAR STARTED SMOKING. PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON CAR AND IT NEVER RESTARTED AGAIN. CONTACTED MB ASSIST AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A JUMP WITH THICK GAUGE CABLES AND THEY COULD SEND A TECH BUT THE CHARGES WOULD BE AT MINIMUM $100. ITS BEEN OVER A WEEK AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE PUT BATTERIES IN FOB (THEY NEVER HAD ANY BEFORE) , CHA… Look up ODI 10458187 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	225.0% ODI 10334928 · 52,301 mi CAR: 2000 MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR DRIVING AT 55MPH, THE CAR'S FRONT RIGHT BRAKE SUDDENLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL FOR A MOMENT. THE BRAKE THEN RELEASES AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!!! I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT IS THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR STEERING POSITION SENSOR. THE FIX IS $1100. THIS IS A TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS CAR AND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IN VARIOUS FORUMS THERE ARE NUMEROUS OWNERS I… Look up ODI 10334928 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 10341913 2001 MERCEDES C240. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE ACCELERATOR FAILED. THE ENGINE WOULD GO FULL THROTTLE WHEN IN GEAR. SHE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. HE FOUND THE CAR COMPUTER HAD SAID THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR WAS BAD. A NEW ACCELERATOR WAS PUT IN AND NO MORE PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10341913 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.	120.0% ODI 10460509 · 72,280 mi WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE WOULD REV NORMALLY BUT VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO SIDE OF FREEWAY SAFELY. PLACED CAR IN PARK AND THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE, AND CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. ACCORDING TO, HTTP://JAYAUTO.WORDPRESS.COM, MERCEDES IS IN A FIGHT WITH ITS OWN SUPPLIERS BECAUSE THEY PRODUCE A LOW-QUALITY PART. IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR 7-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS, PLEASE REPORT IT TO: NHTSA. ONLY T… Look up ODI 10460509 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	62,500–125,500 mi	93,100 mi	31	ODI 10237934 · 108,000 mi I RECENTLY ACQUIRED THIS 1994 C-CLASS 4 CYL FROM MY FATHER WHO DROVE IT VERY LITTLE AROUND TOWN. IT ONLY HAD 108,000 MILES ON WHEN I GOT IT IN FEB., 2008. ON MARCH 24, 2008 I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN THE SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH. I PAID $1,400.00 FOR A NEW LOWER ENGINE WIRING HARNESS TO BE INSTALLED. TODAY AUG. 12,2008 I WILL BE PICKING UP MY CAR AT THE SHOP FOR THE UPPER WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE COST OF $450.00. THESE REPLACEMENTS ARE BOTH DUE TO THE HARNESSES CRACKING, AND SPLITTING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS… Look up ODI 10237934 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10415440 · 140,000 mi FIRE AND SPARKS CAUSED BY MERCEDES ENGINE WIRE HARNESS! THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS WAS POORLY MADE, AND WAS INSULATED BELOW STANDARD. I JUST FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES .THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL THEIR VEHICLES FOR SAFETY! MERCEDES VEHICLE NOT SAFE IF THEY DO NOT CORRECT THIS HUGE PROBLEM! TR Look up ODI 10415440 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10209100 · 65,000 mi FAILURE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS WITH THE ROTTING AND CRACKING OF HARNESS HAS CAUSED ENGINE TO MISFIRE CAUSING RAPID POWER LOSS IN INTERSECTIONS. SHORTING OF CONNECTIONS CAUSE ECU RELATED MALFUNCTIONS AND READ ERROR CODES ON VEHICLE. PREMATURE DEGRADATION OF WIRING HARNESS. TR Look up ODI 10209100 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	81,944–122,000 mi	107,000 mi	19	ODI 10140668 · 83,500 mi I HAVE A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280 VIN#[XXX] WITH ABOUT 84000 MILES ON IT AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MISFIRING, WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON RANDOMLY AND OTHER ELECTRICAL GREMLINS. I WAS CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD GETTING READY TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS TO TRY TO MAKE IT RUN BETTER, WHEN I NOTICED SOME BARE WIRES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS TO A CONNECTOR NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I REACHED DOWN TO REMOVE THE CONNECTOR AND WHEN I DID THERE WAS A POP, AND A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THAT AREA. THE HARNESS GOT … Look up ODI 10140668 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10148813 · 122,000 mi 1994 C280 WAS BEING DRIVEN ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR REQUIRED TOWING TO THE MB DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $1500.00. MB IS NOT ONLY BRUSHING ASIDE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT, THEY ARE MAKING MONEY ON THE REPAIRS, WHAT A SCAM. AK Look up ODI 10148813 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10171340 · 122,000 mi THE WIRE HARNESS IS DETERIORATING, MAKING THE ENGINE SHAKING AND ROUGH IDLING. SOME OF INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ARE NO WORKING DUE TO THE WIRE SHORTED OUT. UNDER THE HOOD INSPECTION BY A QUALIFIED MB MECHANIC REVEALED SOME WIRE CONNECTORS ARE CRACKING WITH NAKE COPPER WIRES EXPOSED. MB IS AWARE OF THE WIRE HARNESS PROBLEM AS THEY ADMIT TO USING AN EXPERIMENTAL PLASTIC TO INSULATE THESE WIRES WHICH BREAKS DOWN WHEN THE WIRES GET HOT. MB SHOULD INITIATE A RECALL ON THESE AFFECTED MODEL YEARS AND REPLACE THE HARNESS FEE OF CHARGE. NM Look up ODI 10171340 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	68,500–114,500 mi	103,500 mi	14	ODI 10129347 · 70,000 mi THE WIRE HARNESS ON THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OF INSULATION. THE BARE WIRES ARE HANGING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR RUNS POORLY AND SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASH CONSTANTLY WHICH REQUIRES DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE DECIDES IT IS TOO COSTLY TO GET DIAGNOSIS DONE REGULARLY SO I JUST UNPLUG THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER. IN ADDITION TO THE FIRE HAZARD, ACCIDENT HAZARD, NOW I AM COVERING UP OTHER POSSIBLE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS BY DISREGARDING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASH. MERCEDES WILL NOT D… Look up ODI 10129347 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10016302 · 125,000 mi I BOUGHT A 1995 C280 AND THE WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS A POOR PLASTIC FORMULATION. THE COST IS >$1100. SINCE IT CONTROLS ALL THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE MY FEELING IS THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NLM Look up ODI 10016302 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10016656 · 143,770 mi ON NOV 6, 2001, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. THE CAR HAD 115,633 MILES AND THE 120,000 MILE SERVICE COST $743.39. THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS DUE TO POOR QUALITY INSULATION AND RECOMMENDED THE PART BE REPLACED. SINCE THE PART WAS A KNOWN DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY FOR THE PART IF I WOULD PAY FOR THE LABOR. I THANKED THE DEALER FOR THE INFORMATION AND SAID I WOULD HAVE THE PART REPLACED AT MY NEXT VISIT. MY NEXT VISIT WAS OCTOBER 29,2002 AND THE MILEAGE WAS 136,544. THE W… Look up ODI 10016656 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	78,000–140,000 mi	119,293 mi	9	ODI 10421214 · 140,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT DETECTED EXTREMELY SMALL FLAMES AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. Look up ODI 10421214 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10456952 · 221,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH WHEN SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 221,000. Look up ODI 10456952 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10214173 · 140,000 mi ENGINE POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *TR Look up ODI 10214173 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	60,500–93,000 mi	75,522 mi	7	ODI 10254049 · 75,522 mi SEAT CONTROL MODULE ON PASSENGER SIDE DRAINS THE BATTERY. TR Look up ODI 10254049 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10260382 · 115,000 mi DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROLLER MODULES ( DRIVER AND PASSENGER ) CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DRAIN COMPLETELY WITHIN 24 HOURS. THIS LEAVES ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. A SEARCH ONLINE REVEALS MULTIPLE OTHER WITH THE SAME ISSUES...INDICATING AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURER OTHER THAN PAYING $1000 FOR A KNOWN DEFECTIVE ISSUE/PART. TR Look up ODI 10260382 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10267667 · 65,000 mi POWER SEAT CONTROLLER BECOMES DEFECTIVE AND FAILS TO SHUT DOWN WHEN CAR IS OFF AND LOCKED, AND THUS DRAINS THE BATTERY. *TR Look up ODI 10267667 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	Too few reports for a range	157,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10566705 · 173,000 mi WAS DRIVING CAR AND HEARD LOUD NOISE GOT OUT AND SAW FRONT RIGHT SIDE WAS SITTING LOWER ON ONE SIDE. CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. HAD MY MECHANIC INSPECT. CONCLUDED THAT THE CUP HOLDER THAT HOLDS THE VEHICLES SPRINGS WAS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND OR DESIGN FLAW. THANKFULLY DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. TR Look up ODI 10566705 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10330537 · 157,000 mi I HAD JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY, AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING SOCKET THAT CONNECTS TO THE UNIBODY HAD RUSTED AND BROKE, DROPPING THE SUSPENSION ON TOP THE TIRE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SOCKET WAS RUSTED AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO MENTIONED THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT MERCEDES HAD YET TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. TR Look up ODI 10330537 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10439377 · 65,000 mi THIS IS A C230 KOMPRESSOR COUPE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THEN LOCKED UP AFTER BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY TO A SHOP. IT WAS LATER LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE EARLY 2002 C CLASS CARS BUT AS USUAL, THERE IS NO RECALL. I CONTACTED MBUSA AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THIS CAR HAS ALSO RECENTLY SHOWN EVIDENCE OF RUSTING. I CONTACTED MBUSA ABOUT THAT AND LEARNED THAT THE MB CORROSION PROTECTION IN THE U.S. IS MERELY FOUR YEARS. I ALSO FOUND THAT MOST OF THE OTHER GERMAN LUXURY AUTOMAKERS HAVE USED GALVINI… Look up ODI 10439377 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	4,370 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10014381 · 8,700 mi 3/03 WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASING MY 2002 C-240, THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING, FUEL GAUGE FAILED, HEADLIGHT WASHER BROKE, AND ONE OF THE VENTS ON THE DASH FELL APART. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS GIVEN ANOTHER 2002 C-240, AND WHILE DRIVING THE LOANER CAR IN THE MOUNTAINS, IT BEGAN DOWN SHIFTING ITSELF AND THERE WAS NO POWER. CAR WOULD COME TO COMPLETE STOP AND THEN WOULD START MOVING AGAIN. HAPPENED 6 TIMES. MERCEDES DEALER THOUGHT WAS ISOLATED INCIDENT. I FELT IT WAS VERY SERIOUS AS I WAS ON INTERSTATE WHEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY STOP … Look up ODI 10014381 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10155867 · 39 mi I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR WELL OVER 40+ DAYS REGARDING A VIBRATION THAT CAUSES ME TO BELIEVE IT COULD BE SAFETY RELATED. I'M ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE DEALER CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND HAS NO IDEA OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 MERCEDES C240. AT THE PRESENT TIME I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VEHICLE GOING ON 6 WEEKS, THIS IS THE 6TH OR 7TH TIME IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER. *JB Look up ODI 10155867 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	72,280–138,800 mi	125,000 mi	5	ODI 10162552 · 125,000 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH., THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING ON ITS OWN AND ACCELERATING VEHICLE'S SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. AS THE CONTACT TURNED INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE FASTER AND THE SPEED INDICATOR NEEDLE MOVED PASSED THE MAXIMUM SPEED INDICATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHOOK AS THE BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD THE PROGRESS OF THE RACING ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF STOPPING THE VEHICLE. ON THE FIRST VISIT, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE REPLACEMENT PART UNAVAILABLE, THEREFORE THE… Look up ODI 10162552 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10458187 · 249,800 mi WAS DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR BEGAN BACKFIRING AND SPEED DROPPED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BEGAN TO BACKFIRE MORE. TEMP WENT UP AND CAR STARTED SMOKING. PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON CAR AND IT NEVER RESTARTED AGAIN. CONTACTED MB ASSIST AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A JUMP WITH THICK GAUGE CABLES AND THEY COULD SEND A TECH BUT THE CHARGES WOULD BE AT MINIMUM $100. ITS BEEN OVER A WEEK AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE PUT BATTERIES IN FOB (THEY NEVER HAD ANY BEFORE) , CHA… Look up ODI 10458187 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10334928 · 52,301 mi CAR: 2000 MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR DRIVING AT 55MPH, THE CAR'S FRONT RIGHT BRAKE SUDDENLY ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL FOR A MOMENT. THE BRAKE THEN RELEASES AND THE BAS/ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!!! I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT IS THE YAW RATE SENSOR OR STEERING POSITION SENSOR. THE FIX IS $1100. THIS IS A TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS CAR AND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IN VARIOUS FORUMS THERE ARE NUMEROUS OWNERS I… Look up ODI 10334928 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2005: 1 complaints · 2006: 7 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2005	0	1	1
2006	6	7	7

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2005	5	0	0
2006	8	0	1

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
Component	Electrical System	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Electrical System:Wiring	Engine And Engine Cooling	Seats	Suspension	Unknown Or Other	Vehicle Speed Control
Electrical System	—	2 ODI 10209100 · 65,000 mi FAILURE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS WITH THE ROTTING AND CRACKING OF HARNESS HAS CAUSED ENGINE TO MISFIRE CAUSING RAPID POWER LOSS IN INTERSECTIONS. SHORTING OF CONNECTIONS CAUSE ECU RELATED MALFUNCTIONS AND READ ERROR CODES ON VEHICLE. PREMATURE DEGRADATION OF WIRING HARNESS. TR Look up ODI 10209100 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10062684 VEHICLE BREAKDOWNS. JB Look up ODI 10062684 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 567249 CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *SLC Look up ODI 567249 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10252301 SEAT CONTROLLER MODULES, THEY CONSTANTLY DRAIN THE BATTERY WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES C CLASS. THE CONTROLLER DRAINS THE CAR BATTERY TO THE POINT WERE THE CAR CANNOT START, AND CONTINUES TO DO THIS IF THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN EVERYDAY. OBVIOUSLY HAVING A CAR BATTERY GET SUCKED BELOW 3V IS NOT HEALTHY FOR THE BATTERY, AND IN THE END EVERYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM HAS TO REPLACE THEIR BATTERY MANY MANY TIMES. TR Look up ODI 10252301 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10512849 · 56,000 mi DRIVERS POWER SEAT CONTROL MODULE DRAINS BATTERY WHEN AUTO IS PARKED. TR Look up ODI 10512849 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10442578 · 105,000 mi SEAT CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. 2 MODULES PER CAR, 1 FOR PASSENGER SEAT, AND 1 FOR DRIVER SEAT FAIL. THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE UNIT WILL DEPLETE THE CARS BATTERY OVERNIGHT RESULTING IN A NO-START CONDITION THE FOLLOWING DAY. A NEW BATTERY, OR A JUMP START, WILL GET THE CAR GOING AGAIN. THE COMMON IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION IS TO UNPLUG THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE WHICH WOULD IMPACT THE SEATS ABILITY TO RESPOND IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REPLACEMENT PART AND DIAGNOSIS FROM MB DEALER IS APPROX $700/ MODULE. THIS IS A HUGE LIABILITY FOR MERCEDES OWNER… Look up ODI 10442578 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 567249 CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *SLC Look up ODI 567249 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10458187 · 249,800 mi WAS DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR BEGAN BACKFIRING AND SPEED DROPPED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BEGAN TO BACKFIRE MORE. TEMP WENT UP AND CAR STARTED SMOKING. PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON CAR AND IT NEVER RESTARTED AGAIN. CONTACTED MB ASSIST AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A JUMP WITH THICK GAUGE CABLES AND THEY COULD SEND A TECH BUT THE CHARGES WOULD BE AT MINIMUM $100. ITS BEEN OVER A WEEK AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE PUT BATTERIES IN FOB (THEY NEVER HAD ANY BEFORE) , CHA… Look up ODI 10458187 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	2 ODI 10209100 · 65,000 mi FAILURE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS WITH THE ROTTING AND CRACKING OF HARNESS HAS CAUSED ENGINE TO MISFIRE CAUSING RAPID POWER LOSS IN INTERSECTIONS. SHORTING OF CONNECTIONS CAUSE ECU RELATED MALFUNCTIONS AND READ ERROR CODES ON VEHICLE. PREMATURE DEGRADATION OF WIRING HARNESS. TR Look up ODI 10209100 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10062684 VEHICLE BREAKDOWNS. JB Look up ODI 10062684 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	2 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 567249 CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *SLC Look up ODI 567249 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 567249 CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *SLC Look up ODI 567249 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	3 ODI 10252301 SEAT CONTROLLER MODULES, THEY CONSTANTLY DRAIN THE BATTERY WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES C CLASS. THE CONTROLLER DRAINS THE CAR BATTERY TO THE POINT WERE THE CAR CANNOT START, AND CONTINUES TO DO THIS IF THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN EVERYDAY. OBVIOUSLY HAVING A CAR BATTERY GET SUCKED BELOW 3V IS NOT HEALTHY FOR THE BATTERY, AND IN THE END EVERYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM HAS TO REPLACE THEIR BATTERY MANY MANY TIMES. TR Look up ODI 10252301 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10512849 · 56,000 mi DRIVERS POWER SEAT CONTROL MODULE DRAINS BATTERY WHEN AUTO IS PARKED. TR Look up ODI 10512849 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10442578 · 105,000 mi SEAT CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. 2 MODULES PER CAR, 1 FOR PASSENGER SEAT, AND 1 FOR DRIVER SEAT FAIL. THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE UNIT WILL DEPLETE THE CARS BATTERY OVERNIGHT RESULTING IN A NO-START CONDITION THE FOLLOWING DAY. A NEW BATTERY, OR A JUMP START, WILL GET THE CAR GOING AGAIN. THE COMMON IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION IS TO UNPLUG THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE WHICH WOULD IMPACT THE SEATS ABILITY TO RESPOND IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REPLACEMENT PART AND DIAGNOSIS FROM MB DEALER IS APPROX $700/ MODULE. THIS IS A HUGE LIABILITY FOR MERCEDES OWNER… Look up ODI 10442578 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Suspension	1 ODI 567249 CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *SLC Look up ODI 567249 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 567249 CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *SLC Look up ODI 567249 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Unknown Or Other	1 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	1 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	2 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10458187 · 249,800 mi WAS DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR BEGAN BACKFIRING AND SPEED DROPPED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BEGAN TO BACKFIRE MORE. TEMP WENT UP AND CAR STARTED SMOKING. PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON CAR AND IT NEVER RESTARTED AGAIN. CONTACTED MB ASSIST AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A JUMP WITH THICK GAUGE CABLES AND THEY COULD SEND A TECH BUT THE CHARGES WOULD BE AT MINIMUM $100. ITS BEEN OVER A WEEK AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE PUT BATTERIES IN FOB (THEY NEVER HAD ANY BEFORE) , CHA… Look up ODI 10458187 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10299650 I OWN A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THIS VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL HAS A POSSIBLE CRITICAL ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS DISINTEGRATES VERY QUICKLY. THIS DISINTEGRATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER RELATED SEVERE PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR SINCE THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRITICAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW OF THE OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE IGNITION, FUEL INJECTION, COOLING, TIMING, MIXTURES AND VARIOUS OTHER SYSTEMS/SENSORS OF THE CAR. AFTER … Look up ODI 10299650 at NHTSA ↗	—

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.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

25 mentions · 14.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (20 usable records).

ODI 10129347 · 70,000 mi

Look up ODI 10129347 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10148813 · 122,000 mi

Look up ODI 10148813 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10082859 · 97,000 mi

1995 C280 MERCEDES. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. ALMOST HIT BY TRUCK WHILE CROSSING A ROAD DUE TO ENGINE ALMOST QUITING. *AK

Look up ODI 10082859 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

11 mentions · 6.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 78,990 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10129347 · 70,000 mi

Look up ODI 10129347 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10140668 · 83,500 mi

Look up ODI 10140668 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10184478 · 120,000 mi

I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION TO FILL UP, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A FEW WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF MY HEATER VENTS. OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW A MELTED WIRING HARNESS, AND FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED ME THAT THE RUBBER WAS FALLING OFF OF THE WIRES, DISINTEGRATED. *JB

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

Battery drain and no-start mentions

4 mentions · 2.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 93,100 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10265511 · 72,193 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CRANKSHAFT CENTER AND THERMOSTAT ISSUE. THE CRANKSHAFT CENTER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND IT WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLED OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $700. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH SHOWED THAT ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WOULD ALSO BE NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOU…

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ODI 10366976 · 93,100 mi

BATTERY DRAIN, SEEMS TO COME FROM DEFECT IN SEAT CONTROLLER MODULE. SEE 19 PAGES OF FORUM: HTTP://WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W203-C-CLASS/1196568-MERCEDES-C320-BATTERY-DRAIN-11.HTML MERCEDES C240 2001, BUT MANY OTHER MODELS AND YEARS AFFECTED. *TR

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ODI 10070703

THE 1ST INCIDENT; MY MERCEDES C240 WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS NEW. 2ND INCIDENT AT 10.5 MOS, 3RD: EXACLTY 1 YEAR, 4TH: 1 YR/3 WKS, 5TH: 13 MOS. ALL 5 TIMES THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT DYING OUT OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, & BRAKES. 3 OF THE 5 INCIDENTS THE CAR WOULD NOT START & REQUIRED A TOW TO THE DEALER, HAVING THE DEALERS WORK ON THE CAR ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR DIE OUT AGAIN. BIGGEST COMPLAINT BESIDES MINE, MY CHILDREN, & OTHER FELLOW FREEWAY TRAVELERS LIVES BEING IN DANGER IS THE LACK AND DIS…

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Brake response concerns

4 mentions · 2.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 83,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10007600 · 83,000 mi

MY 94 C-280 HAS A SOGGY BRAKE PEDAL. HAVE REPLACED 3 MASTERCYLINDERS, AND BLED LINES NUMEROUS TIMES. SEEMS THAT AIR IS GETTING INTO SYSTEM, BUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS LOSING NO FLUID.

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ODI 10162552 · 125,000 mi

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ODI 849003

HAD THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WHEN BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE ON AN INCLINE. HAD LITTLE BRAKING POWER ON STRAIGHT AWAY. MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF BRAKE PROBLEM. THE DEALER/MECHANIC ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING WAS BEING DONE. *AK

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Steering assistance concerns

3 mentions · 1.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 60,692 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10064111 · 31,384 mi

STEERING WHEEL LOOSE AND MAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT, DEALER FOUND POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. NEXT DAY ENGINE LIGHT ON,ABS SYSTEM FAILS, ESP ELEC,STABILITY,PROGRAM FAILS, BAS BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM FAILS, THE CAR DOES NOT CHANGE GEAR AND WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED EVENTHOUGH I'M PRESSING HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL. DEALER ATTEMPTED FIXING THE PROBLEM 4X AND STILL THERE FOR THE 5TH TIME. EACH TIME THEY FIND DIFFERENT CAUSES LIKE CRACKED THRUST ARMS AND WAS REPLACED. THEN THEY SAID THERE'S AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT THE RIGHT SPEED C…

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ODI 10070703

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ODI 10404244 · 90,000 mi

MERCEDES BENZ C240 ECU FAILURE. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ARE SOMETIMES RANDOM AT BEST AND SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF. THE CARS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ALSO SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK, THE POWER STEERING LEAKS INTERMITTENTLY THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE . THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED SO WAS THE COIL PACK AND OTHER ITEMS BY MERCEDES BUT THEY ALWAYS TRIED TO JUSTIFY THAT PROBLEM WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR WHICH IS NOT TRUE. *TR

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Matching rule

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

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 5,100 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10229796

DEFECTIVE ENGINE HARNESS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH AND STALL AT CRITICAL MOMENTS LIKE WHEN PROCEEDING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OR ENTERING A HIGHWAY. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. MERCEDES SEEMS TO BE IN DENIAL OF THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE VERY MUCH AWARE IT EXISTS. THE PART IS APPROX 1,000.00 PLUS LABOR TO FIX A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS CAUSED FIRES IN SOME OF THESE VEHCLES. ALL I WANT IS MERCEDES TO HAND ME A NEW HARNESS SO I CAN REPAIR MY CAR. BUT IF SOMEONE GETS INJURED DUE TO …

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ODI 10154581 · 5,100 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE LURCHED CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH. THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.

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