1994 Mercedes Benz C Class
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › C Class › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Mercedes Benz C Class. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
15 complaints5 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
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.
- Engine and engine cooling
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…
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.
- Electrical system · Fuel system, other
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
- Electrical system
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…
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 harnesses. This allows for the vehicle to short and cause fires under the hood or elsewhere. this IS a potential safety hazard. There are many complaints of this nature regarding the wiring harnesses on mercedes benz. I can't believe that mercedes benz will not even acknowledge that there IS a problem. *Tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Wiring harness on 1994 mercedes C280. *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Engine wiring harness has brittle insulation; has hundreds of cracks; insulation IS falling off of wires; IS short circuiting, motor IS running rough; missing some; sounds like its not running on all cylinders. wiring harness IS heating where it IS short circuiting. I have seen some smoking; was on fire once so far. *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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…
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Vehicle speed control
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.…
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 original part was cleaned and placed back into the vehicle. On the second visit, the dealer service technician was unable to diagnose the problem however they were able to recreate the problem. The manufacturer has been alerted.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
My C280 started surging from idle and it IS really hard to control especially in traffic or just maneuvering in a parking areas. I have no total control of the car and it IS very unsafe to drive. I found out that the wiring inside the engine compartment IS deteriorating and cooper wires are exposed…
My C280 started surging from idle and it IS really hard to control especially in traffic or just maneuvering in a parking areas. I have no total control of the car and it IS very unsafe to drive. I found out that the wiring inside the engine compartment IS deteriorating and cooper wires are exposed causing wrong engine signal from the computer sensors. I am but the wiring harness IS so expensive, this must be ruled as a safety recall, please help!*jb
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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…
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 very hot, so I immediately disconnected the battery. upon careful inspection I found that all of the insulation on this and most all of the wires in the harness had disintegrated, the insulation almost completely and the copper was also green and in poor condition. upon checking the internet I found that 1994 and 1995 C280 models have this as a chronic complaint. I have written mercedes benz and received no reply. I spoke with a benz mechanic I know in another state and he said he had replaced dozens of these wire harnesses on this model . he stated that mercedes benz had experimented with a biodegradable wire insulation at this time and that they finally stopped in late 1995 on this model. further that mercedes IS aware, but leaves it up to the individual dealership to decide if they will repair it as a goodwill repair. he said they charge about $1500 for this repair. the car sits in my driveway inoperable because of this problem. mercedes looks like they are not even going to reply. I noticed a complaint 10129347 which sounds about identical. Mercedes should own this defect before some one burns up on the highway due to an electrical fire. The harness IS still in place if someone would like to see it. I will take a few pictures to document it. This need to be corrected before someone gets seriously injured if they haven't already. *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6)
- Electrical system › Wiring
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…
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 do one thing to assist on this problem. I have read of hundreds of these problems and am sure many people are not aware of these problems and mercedes will not notify anyone. Someone should not have to get hurt before something IS done to resolve this issue!
- Service brakes, air · Service brakes, hydraulic · Service brakes, hydraulic › Fluid
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.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
The vehicle IS leaking fuel due to faulty o-rings. dealer says o-rings and sensor may need to be replaced. *ak
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.
- 10136029SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink
- 10028147Mercedes: replacing the longitudinal member (left and right) below the main floor panel on all my 204 up to 12/31/07. (C300, C350, C300 4-matic, C63 ame).
- 601449Updated information to reflect additon of approved tires.
Every Mercedes Benz C Class model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.