1996 Mercedes Benz C280

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Electrical system3
2. Air bags1
3. Engine1
4. Fuel/propulsion system1
5. Unknown or other1
6. Wheels1

Latest complaints

• May 17, 2021CA
  Air bags · Unknown or other

  My 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 is leaking Oil and Radiator Cap(Expansion Trank Cap Replacement Cooling system Flush Thermostat Replacement because my Antifreeze Coolant is running out on me faster than ever,Module is year Affected and it needs a Value job and it needs a Head Gasket.

• Aug 8, 2020CAFire
  Electrical system · Fuel/propulsion system · Wheels
  My neighbor woke me up telling me my car was on fire smoke was coming out of the trunk and so I got the waterhose and started spraying water in the trunk but it wouldn't stop or put out the fire so I called 911 and the fire department came and had to spray some chemicals all over in the car to put…

  My neighbor woke me up telling me my car was on fire smoke was coming out of the trunk and so I got the waterhose and started spraying water in the trunk but it wouldn't stop or put out the fire so I called 911 and the fire department came and had to spray some chemicals all over in the car to put the fire out and cut the wire to the battery cause the whole car was on fire they said it was an electrical fire that's why I couldn't put it out with water. my car was in the parking lot of the mobile home estate parking lot over night and in the morning I woke up to my car burned all inside by the time it was all done my car IS totaly ruined and so IS everything inside of it. The window shattered from getting so hot and the tire went flat . why wasn't this car recalled and fixed if there IS an issue with them catching on fire? This IS unacceptable the car should of been recalled there must be some defect with the wiring or wire harness. how does a parked car catch on fire like this when its not even running. that's definetly dangerous and I feel I should be compensated by mercedes for a car the same or better for their failure to notify me of any safety recall on the vehicle.

• Dec 19, 2016NC259,000 mi
  Electrical system

  TL* the contact owns a 1996 mercedes-benz C280. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 259,000.

• Dec 12, 2016GA150,000 mi
  Electrical system · Engine

  Well, I have a 1996 mecedes benz C280 havimg a very difficult time get it starting so I'll put it in the shop for repair,and the mechanic said you're have a very bad ignition wiring harness,he said check and see if they have recall on that year of mecedes benz of the years,and they dose,1994-1996 c280-e320 and others.the mechanic said if you drive this this vechicle it may caught of fire, it must be replace.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10186141NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
• 10186135If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
• 10181124Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
• 10167563The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30).
• 10164810Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
• 10151959Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
• 10135599Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper

Every Mercedes Benz C280 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.