U.S. public vehicle records

1996 Mercedes Benz C220 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

31 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

110,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1996 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 17 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 31 complaints (32.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	14	45.2%
Engine operation	7	22.6%
Braking behavior	3	9.7%
Transmission and shifting	1	3.2%

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

Fuel/Propulsion System

Engine And Engine Cooling

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Engine

Suspension

Vehicle Speed Control

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	10
Electrical System:Wiring	5
Fuel/Propulsion System	4
Engine And Engine Cooling	3
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	2
Engine	2
Suspension	2
Vehicle Speed Control	2

Electrical System: 10; Electrical System:Wiring: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine: 2; Suspension: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2

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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 14 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.

1997

1998

2000

2003

2006

2007

2008

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2017

2018

1997: 4; 1998: 1; 2000: 1; 2003: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 4; 2008: 4; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10049352 · 2003-12-07 (December 7, 2003)

WIRING HARNESS ON A 1996 MERCEDES C220 WITH 74,000 MILES INTERMITTENTLY FAILING, AND CAUSING CAR TO STALL ON FREEWAY AND SURFACE STREETS. THIS IS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER, AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. MERCEDES DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM, THERE ARE NUMEROUS WEBSITES DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE, HUNDREDS OF CASES, AND NO RESPONSE. THIS PART WHICH SHOULD OUTLAST THE CAR, IS FAILING ON CARS WITH LESS THAN 100,000. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR! I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO COMPLETELY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY... AND GET ME INT…

Owner-reported narrative. 74,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049352 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10165086 · 2006-08-09 (August 9, 2006)

SEVERE DEGRADATION OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WHICH SHORTED OUT THE AIR MASS METER AND THROTTLE ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS WIRING DETERIORATION COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A VEHICLE FIRE, AS HAS OCCURRED IN OTHER MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT. MERCEDES HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 78,393 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165086 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10661234 · 2014-11-28 (November 28, 2014)

DURING BRAKE INSPECTION RIGHT FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WAS OBSERVED TO BE ON VERGE OF FAILURE DUE TO INTERNAL RUST OUT OF CONTROL ARM AT THE BALL JOINT JUNCTION. WHEEL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED FROM CONTROL ARM WITHIN A FEW MORE MILES AS THE CONTROL ARM WAS ALREADY SPLIT APART WITH ONLY A THREAD OF METAL REMAINING. FAILURE AT ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 158,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661234 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10948376 · 2017-01-30 (January 30, 2017)

CAR HAD UNEXPECTED ACCELLERATON DURING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN IN AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP LIGHT; PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE FORWARD ACCELLERATION, CRASHED INTO A WALL, OCCURRED DOWNTOWN, EARLY EVENING, NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS HIT; DRIVER INJURED. DRIVER NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. BRAKES SERVICED RECENTLY.

Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948376 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10664150 · 2014-12-14 (December 14, 2014)

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 94,655 miles reported. Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

54.8%Usable mileage17 / 31 records

87.1%Valid incident date27 / 31 records

100.0%Valid filing date31 / 31 records

87.1%Ordered incident and filing dates27 / 31 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	1998
Electrical System	729.2% ODI 10151271 MY CAR BEGAN TO SUFFER ELECTRICAL AND OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS. OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH, MY CAR WAS AT THE MECHANIC ALMOST EVERY DAY WITH ODD NEW PROBLEMS. MY WORST FEAR HAD COME TRUE, AS MY MECHANIC HAD WARNED ME. MY CAR'S WIRE HARNESS HAD BEGAN TO FALL APART, EVEN SIMPLY TOUCHING IS WOULD CAUSE IT TO DISINTERGRATED WHICH CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS FOR MY CAR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME FOR THE EARLY 90S TO 95 MODEL YEARS THEY HAVE CHANGED MANY OF THE WIRE HARNESS ON THESE CAR'S. I CONTACTED MERCEDES WANTING TO WORK OUT A DEAL FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE WIRE HARNE… Look up ODI 10151271 at NHTSA ↗	1732.1% ODI 10205279 · 58,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C220. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, LUNGED, THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED TWICE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE MERCEDES MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DISINTEGRATING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. Look up ODI 10205279 at NHTSA ↗	1032.3% ODI 10237559 · 138,000 mi CAR SURGES, STALLS, IDLES ROUGH, AND ALSO REVS AT ABOUT 4000 RPM. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP, WAS TOLD ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS DETERIORATING CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS AND ALSO OTHER PROBLEMS. MECHANIC STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR EARLY 90S MERCEDES. WIRING HARNESS COST $1,198.75. HAVE NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *TR Look up ODI 10237559 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring	625.0% ODI 10058951 · 14,760 mi BRITTLE, DEFECTIVE UNDERHOOD WIRING HARNESS CAUSING STALLING/LOSING POWER AT SPEED, HIGH EMISSIONS AND ENGINE FIRES. *AK Look up ODI 10058951 at NHTSA ↗	713.2% ODI 10026838 · 50,000 mi THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. INSULATION ON THE WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS PEELED OFF WHICH CAUSED A SHORTAGE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. AK NM Look up ODI 10026838 at NHTSA ↗	516.1% ODI 10049352 · 74,250 mi WIRING HARNESS ON A 1996 MERCEDES C220 WITH 74,000 MILES INTERMITTENTLY FAILING, AND CAUSING CAR TO STALL ON FREEWAY AND SURFACE STREETS. THIS IS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER, AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. MERCEDES DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM, THERE ARE NUMEROUS WEBSITES DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE, HUNDREDS OF CASES, AND NO RESPONSE. THIS PART WHICH SHOULD OUTLAST THE CAR, IS FAILING ON CARS WITH LESS THAN 100,000. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR! I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO COMPLETELY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY... AND GET ME INT… Look up ODI 10049352 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	416.7% ODI 10173517 · 148,000 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED WHICH HAS CAUSED CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE CONTROL. ALMOST CAUSED A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF LOSS OF COMMUNICATION FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *JB Look up ODI 10173517 at NHTSA ↗	611.3% ODI 10124113 · 144,000 mi FAULTY ENGINE WIRE INSULATION Look up ODI 10124113 at NHTSA ↗	26.5% ODI 10188473 · 169,000 mi 1996 MERCEDES C220 - WIRING HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF THE CAR NO LONGER RUNNING, BUT THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $1080 JUST FOR THE 30 FEET OF WIRING HARNESS TO REPLACE IT - NOT TO MENTION LABOR CHARGES. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST FLOODED OUT, STARTED SMOKING, AND QUIT. NOW IT WILL START THEN IMMEDIATELY DIE. MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE INSIDE OF NUMEROUS ENGINE WIRING CHANNELS WHERE EXPOSED COPPER WIRES LAY NEXT TO EACH OTHER WITH CRUMBLY DRY-ROT LOOKING RUBBER MATERIAL WHICH USED TO BE INSULATION. THIS CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY TA… Look up ODI 10188473 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	520.8% ODI 10203668 · 150,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C220. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING WHEN RELEASED AND DOES NOT CLOSE ENTIRELY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. HE WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY CONTROL HIS SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS NOT BEING PROPERLY LUBRICATED. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V091000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. Look up ODI 10203668 at NHTSA ↗	47.5% ODI 10023624 · 168,131 mi SUDDEN ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *JB Look up ODI 10023624 at NHTSA ↗	26.5% ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. *TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	14.2% ODI 10187623 · 300,000 mi WIRING HARNESS DISINTEGRATED, SAID TO BE MADE OF CORNSTARCH IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH GERMAN GOVERNMENT MANDATE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERMOSTAT IN HIS VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING WARM ENOUGH WHICH THEN INCREASED THE VEHICLES ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WOULD ONLY HAPPEN IN THE WINTER. UPDATED 02/22/11 Look up ODI 10187623 at NHTSA ↗	59.4% ODI 10055336 WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. *AK Look up ODI 10055336 at NHTSA ↗	39.7% ODI 10246033 THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO START (DOESN'T FIRE IMMEDIATELY), THE IDLE SPEED RACES HIGHER AND LOWER WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE CAR LOOSES POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. *TR Look up ODI 10246033 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel/Propulsion System	14.2% ODI 10510009 · 150,000 mi THE WIRING INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS. *TR Look up ODI 10510009 at NHTSA ↗	23.8% ODI 10795183 · 160,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C220. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY SECURE HER. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE FUEL LINE DUE TO A LEAK. THERE WERE ALSO REPAIRS MADE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE C… Look up ODI 10795183 at NHTSA ↗	412.9% ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. *TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	14.2% ODI 10760234 · 166,000 mi DRIVING IN TRAFFIC EACH TIME THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER. CUT OFF SHORTLY WHILE DRIVING. HAD 2 USE FOOT ON GAS,BRAKE TO GIVE CAR A WAY TO MOVE ON. FORCE MOVE. PUTTING AWFUL, JERK LIKE ALSO, DOG HIT DASH BOARD CUT RIGHT SIDE OF TONGUE.WHEN PARK AFTER INCIDENTS 3 TIMES. CAR WOULD SET, START ABOUT 15-30 MINS START ALL OVER AGAIN. HAD TO TOW HOME. BATTERY GO DEAD AFTER SET, THEN AT TIMES START WITHOUT CHARGE AT TIMES. AFRAID TO DRIVE TO SHOP AND PAY TOO MUCH FOR MECHANIC. HAD IT IN TRANNY SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. SAID NOTHING FOUND.WITHOUT TRANSPORTAT… Look up ODI 10760234 at NHTSA ↗	35.7% ODI 10572721 · 191,000 mi MERCEDES BENZ KNOWS ABOUT THESE FAULTY WIRING HARNESSES AND REFUSES TO OWN UP TO THEIR FAULTS. THESE FAULTS PLACE THE OWNER AND OTHERS AT RISK AS THEY CAN CAUSE SHORTS, A POOR RUNNING CAR WITH SHORTING ISSUES, OR EVEN CAUSE A FIRE. I WOULD BE HAPPY IF MERCEDES WOULD JUST GIVE US A NEW WIRING HARNESS, I WOULD INSTALL IT MYSELF AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE LOST ANYTHING. *TR Look up ODI 10572721 at NHTSA ↗	26.5% ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. *TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	35.7% ODI 747726 C220 WAS PROCEEDING NORTH WHEN STRUCK IN THE CENTER FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE FRONT BY A SECOND VEHICLE MOVING SOUTH. SECOND VEHICLE WAS PROCEEDING EAST WHEN STRUCK BY THIRD VEHICLE WHICH PROPELLED SECOND VEHICLE INTO C220. ESTIMATED SPEEDS OF OTHER VEHICLES WERE: 2ND = 40 MPH AND 3RD = 50 MPH. IN THE C220 THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. THE AIRBAGS ON THE OTHER VEHICLES DEPLOYED. IS THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT FOR THE C220 CORRECT?*AK Look up ODI 747726 at NHTSA ↗	13.2% ODI 558518 DURING VEHICLE FRONT END COLLISION THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY TO THE CONSUMER (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER). *MJS Look up ODI 558518 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	37,500–127,164 mi	77,328 mi	6	ODI 10237559 · 138,000 mi CAR SURGES, STALLS, IDLES ROUGH, AND ALSO REVS AT ABOUT 4000 RPM. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP, WAS TOLD ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS DETERIORATING CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS AND ALSO OTHER PROBLEMS. MECHANIC STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR EARLY 90S MERCEDES. WIRING HARNESS COST $1,198.75. HAVE NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. TR Look up ODI 10237559 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10386348 · 60,000 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WIRE INSULATION IS BEGINNING TO BIODEGRADE AND CRUMBLE APART. CAR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS WITHOUT A REPLACEMENT PART, WHICH COSTS NO LESS THAN $1350 (FOR A WIRE BUNDLE AND HOOKUPS THAT ARE DOOMED TO FAIL AGAIN IN THE SAME WAY), PLUS 4-7 HOURS OF LABOR COSTS. CAR HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT AND IS IN OTHERWISE GREAT CONDITION. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC, HE SAID ANYONE WHO OWNS THIS MAKE OF CAR WILL HAVE A MANDATORY $2000 WIRE HARNESS REPLACEMENT FEE SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY (AT LEAST ONCE, IF NOT EVERY FE… Look up ODI 10386348 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	Too few reports for a range	78,197 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10049352 · 74,250 mi WIRING HARNESS ON A 1996 MERCEDES C220 WITH 74,000 MILES INTERMITTENTLY FAILING, AND CAUSING CAR TO STALL ON FREEWAY AND SURFACE STREETS. THIS IS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER, AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. MERCEDES DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM, THERE ARE NUMEROUS WEBSITES DEDICATED TO THIS ISSUE, HUNDREDS OF CASES, AND NO RESPONSE. THIS PART WHICH SHOULD OUTLAST THE CAR, IS FAILING ON CARS WITH LESS THAN 100,000. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR! I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO COMPLETELY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY... AND GET ME INT… Look up ODI 10049352 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10165086 · 78,393 mi SEVERE DEGRADATION OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WHICH SHORTED OUT THE AIR MASS METER AND THROTTLE ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS WIRING DETERIORATION COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A VEHICLE FIRE, AS HAS OCCURRED IN OTHER MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT. MERCEDES HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. JB Look up ODI 10165086 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10196134 · 169,000 mi ENGINE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE ACCELERATING. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES IN THE LEFT LANE AND THEN HAVE TO COAST TO THE SIDE. VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE!. ! I TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AK Look up ODI 10196134 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	94,655 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. *TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10780157 · 30,000 mi WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S Look up ODI 10780157 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10948376 · 110,000 mi CAR HAD UNEXPECTED ACCELLERATON DURING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN IN AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOP LIGHT; PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE FORWARD ACCELLERATION, CRASHED INTO A WALL, OCCURRED DOWNTOWN, EARLY EVENING, NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS HIT; DRIVER INJURED. DRIVER NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. BRAKES SERVICED RECENTLY. Look up ODI 10948376 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	75,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10418489 · 75,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES C220. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND STARTED SMOKING. THE VEHICLE STALLED MOMENTS AFTER THE SMOKING BEGAN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000. Look up ODI 10418489 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Too few reports for a range	169,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10188473 · 169,000 mi 1996 MERCEDES C220 - WIRING HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF THE CAR NO LONGER RUNNING, BUT THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $1080 JUST FOR THE 30 FEET OF WIRING HARNESS TO REPLACE IT - NOT TO MENTION LABOR CHARGES. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST FLOODED OUT, STARTED SMOKING, AND QUIT. NOW IT WILL START THEN IMMEDIATELY DIE. MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE INSIDE OF NUMEROUS ENGINE WIRING CHANNELS WHERE EXPOSED COPPER WIRES LAY NEXT TO EACH OTHER WITH CRUMBLY DRY-ROT LOOKING RUBBER MATERIAL WHICH USED TO BE INSULATION. THIS CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY TA… Look up ODI 10188473 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	120,328 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	Too few reports for a range	162,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10630565 · 167,000 mi UPPER SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY FROM CAR CAUSING MY 16YEAR OLD SON TO CRASH. I BOUGHT THE 1996 C220 FOR HIM FOR SAFETY. COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. TR Look up ODI 10630565 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10661234 · 158,000 mi DURING BRAKE INSPECTION RIGHT FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WAS OBSERVED TO BE ON VERGE OF FAILURE DUE TO INTERNAL RUST OUT OF CONTROL ARM AT THE BALL JOINT JUNCTION. WHEEL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED FROM CONTROL ARM WITHIN A FEW MORE MILES AS THE CONTROL ARM WAS ALREADY SPLIT APART WITH ONLY A THREAD OF METAL REMAINING. FAILURE AT ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. TR Look up ODI 10661234 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	88,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. *TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10780157 · 30,000 mi WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S Look up ODI 10780157 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

1996: 5 complaints · 1998: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1996	2	4	5
1998	0	2	2

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1996	27	4	0
1998	0	2	0

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	Fuel/Propulsion System	Engine And Engine Cooling	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Engine	Suspension	Vehicle Speed Control
Electrical System	—	0	3 ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. *TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10682786 MY 1996 MERCEDES C220 HAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF INSULATION THAT MERCEDES USED FOR THE WIRING AND THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP. MERCEDES USED A BIO-DEGRADABLE WIRE COVER THAT WITH HIGH TEMPS CRACKS AND FALLS OFF. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH, STALL AND LOOSE POWER AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL BY MERCEDES. MERCEDES HAS BEEN OF NO HELP EXCEPT FO… Look up ODI 10682786 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10780157 · 30,000 mi WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S Look up ODI 10780157 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	2 ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. *TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10780157 · 30,000 mi WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S Look up ODI 10780157 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	3 ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. *TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10682786 MY 1996 MERCEDES C220 HAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF INSULATION THAT MERCEDES USED FOR THE WIRING AND THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP. MERCEDES USED A BIO-DEGRADABLE WIRE COVER THAT WITH HIGH TEMPS CRACKS AND FALLS OFF. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH, STALL AND LOOSE POWER AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL BY MERCEDES. MERCEDES HAS BEEN OF NO HELP EXCEPT FO… Look up ODI 10682786 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10780157 · 30,000 mi WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S Look up ODI 10780157 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. *TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10780157 · 30,000 mi WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S Look up ODI 10780157 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine	2 ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10664150 · 94,655 mi ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS, AND THE IGNITION COIL HARNESS, DEGRADED TO THE POINT THERE ARE INCHES AND INCHES OF BARE WIRES TOUCHING AND SHORTING WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT. ALL THREE SEPARATE HARNESS WHICH RESIDE WITH OTHER HARNESS WHICH HAVE NOT DEGRADED. THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. REPAIR SHOP WANT $3500 TO CHANGE OUT THE THREE HARNESS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT COME BACK. *TR Look up ODI 10664150 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. *TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Vehicle Speed Control	2 ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. *TR Look up ODI 10490640 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10780157 · 30,000 mi WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S Look up ODI 10780157 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10780157 · 30,000 mi WAS DRIVING ALL GAGES WENT CRAZY STARTED TO BACK FIRE AND DIED ON THE HIGHWAY SO I HAD A FRIEND PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BACK TO THE SHOP THE SHOP SAID THE WIRING HARESS WAS DEGRADED AND IT COST 2,700 DOLLAR TO FIX THE SAD THING IS THIS CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILE'S Look up ODI 10780157 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10490640 · 146,000 mi WHILE ACCELERATING THE MERCEDES C220 WILL SURGE, STALL AND CUT ENGINE POWER OR "CUT OUT". IDLE IS UNSTABLE. WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING. *TR Look up ODI 10490640 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.

Search patterns

2 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

7 mentions · 22.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 76,697 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10049352 · 74,250 mi

Look up ODI 10049352 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10165086 · 78,393 mi

Look up ODI 10165086 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10237559 · 138,000 mi

CAR SURGES, STALLS, IDLES ROUGH, AND ALSO REVS AT ABOUT 4000 RPM. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP, WAS TOLD ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS DETERIORATING CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS AND ALSO OTHER PROBLEMS. MECHANIC STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR EARLY 90S MERCEDES. WIRING HARNESS COST $1,198.75. HAVE NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *TR

Look up ODI 10237559 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

3 mentions · 9.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10190270

THE 1996 MERCEDES C220 HAD A DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I SERVICED THE CAR. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT MERCEDES USED A RECYCLED WIRING COVER THAT WITH THE HIGH TEMPERATURE CRACKED AND EVEN MELTED. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT HE CHANGED A FEW, AND THERE WAS NO CHARGE. MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED, AND I WAS REQUESTED TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING. THIS WAS UNEXPLAINABLE. I HAD TO PAY TWICE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC ($120) AND FOR THE LABOR ($700.). THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COSTS $1400.00. I AM NEGOTIATING W…

Look up ODI 10190270 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10439208

WIRING HARNESS DAMAGED CAUSING DECREASED PERFORMANCE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND LOWER FUEL ECONOMY. *TR

Look up ODI 10439208 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10682786

MY 1996 MERCEDES C220 HAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF INSULATION THAT MERCEDES USED FOR THE WIRING AND THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP. MERCEDES USED A BIO-DEGRADABLE WIRE COVER THAT WITH HIGH TEMPS CRACKS AND FALLS OFF. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH, STALL AND LOOSE POWER AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL BY MERCEDES. MERCEDES HAS BEEN OF NO HELP EXCEPT FO…

Look up ODI 10682786 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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