Owners have filed 65 complaints
about the 1995 Mercedes Benz 280 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 95
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz 280. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 18
10% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1995 compares with every other Mercedes Benz 280
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Front Underhood
1135.5%
Wiring
825.8%
Engine
412.9%
Fuel Injection System
26.5%
Body
26.5%
Ignition
26.5%
Disc
13.2%
Motor
13.2%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
12.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
48.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
48.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
918.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1939.6%
150,000+ miles
1122.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 6Apr 2014
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 202,122 milesDenver, COFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR FRO SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, HOWEVER TODAY IT STARTED, WHAT SEEM TO BE A MISFIRE. I CHECKED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, IGNITERS AND THEY WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SMOKE FILED THE INSIDE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY CROSS ROAD, SO INSTANT PANIC SET IN, BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF VISION AND UNABLE TO BREATH FROM THE FUMES. I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES AND HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY HEALTH HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE. AS DAYLIGHT CAME I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON CERTAIN YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ, PER THE VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE AND HOW I AM NOW WRITING ABOUT IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR, BUT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10471970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,122 milesDenver, COFire1 injured
ENGINE
CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR FRO SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, HOWEVER TODAY IT STARTED, WHAT SEEM TO BE A MISFIRE. I CHECKED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, IGNITERS AND THEY WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SMOKE FILED THE INSIDE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY CROSS ROAD, SO INSTANT PANIC SET IN, BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF VISION AND UNABLE TO BREATH FROM THE FUMES. I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES AND HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY HEALTH HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE. AS DAYLIGHT CAME I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON CERTAIN YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ, PER THE VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE AND HOW I AM NOW WRITING ABOUT IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR, BUT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10471970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,122 milesDenver, COFire1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR FRO SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, HOWEVER TODAY IT STARTED, WHAT SEEM TO BE A MISFIRE. I CHECKED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, IGNITERS AND THEY WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SMOKE FILED THE INSIDE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY CROSS ROAD, SO INSTANT PANIC SET IN, BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF VISION AND UNABLE TO BREATH FROM THE FUMES. I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES AND HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY HEALTH HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE. AS DAYLIGHT CAME I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON CERTAIN YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ, PER THE VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE AND HOW I AM NOW WRITING ABOUT IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR, BUT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10471970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBoca Raton, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WIRE HARNESS ON MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. IT ACTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE BY THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR CONNECTOR. ALL OF THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS IS GONE.
NHTSA complaint #10455008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesAustin, TX1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE WIRE HARNESS ALL WIRE INSULATIONS IN THE HARNESS ARE IN A SERIOUS DISINTEGRATED AND ARE SHORTING OUT ON EACH OTHER IN A WRAPPED UP HARNESS CONFIGURATION MY GOD IS ANYONE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS .
NHTSA complaint #10226124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesToledo, OHFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRE HARNESS UNDER HOOD,FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT IT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10198844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 286,000 milesNewburgh, NY
SUSPENSION
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE THE BALL JOINT IS ATTACHED BROKE DETACHING THE WHEEL AND CAUSING THE TIRE TO COLLAPSE. A MERCEDES-BENZ SPECIALIST IN MY AREA WHO REPAIRS ONLY MERCEDES-BENZ ADVISED ME THAT THIS IS ALL TOO COMMON WITH THIS SERIES OF MERCEDES-BENZ HAS RANGING FROM 1994 TO 1998 IN BOTH C CLASS AND E CLASS VEHICLES. THE REPAIR SHOP THAT REPLACED THE CONTROL ARM WAS ALSO SURPRISED ON HOW THIN THE SHEET METAL CONTROL ARM IS WHERE THE BALL JOINT MOUNTING IS WELDED ONTO THE SHEET METAL. OVER TIME RUST FORMS ON THE INSIDE OF THE SHEET METAL WHICH IS HOLLOW. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME REPAIR SHOP HAD ANOTHER CUSTOMER COME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON A 1998 MERCEDES-BENZ. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS NEVER MADE A RECOIL, AND DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES OF VEHICLES. WHICH IN REALITY IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10576310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesNorth Bergen, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING, CAR GRADUALLY LOST POWER UNTIL COMPLETELY SHUT-OFF. MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROADWAY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN ON AGAIN. NO POWER AT ALL. COULD NOT EVEN TURN ON HAZARDS. THANKFULLY, A GOOD SAMARITAN PULLED UP BEHIND ME WITH THEIR FLASHERS ON AND PROVIDED ME WITH A BOOST THAT POWERED UP MY VEHICLE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE MAIN ROADWAY. HOWEVER, ONCE I STOPPED AT THE NEXT STOP SIGN THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. AGAIN, THE SAME GUY CAME TO MY AID. THIS TIME WE LET THE BATTERY CHARGE FOR A MUCH LONGER TIME. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR BUT, THE RPM'S WERE GOING CRAZY. THE DIALS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN. THE CAR WAS REVVING UP AND DOWN. THE FUEL GAUGE, ODOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES WERE AT ZERO. ODD. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT I NEEDED A NEW WIRING HARNESS AS HE SHOWED ME THE INSULATION ON MINE HAD COMPLETELY DETERIORATED WAS CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT. HE STATED THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES AND THAT IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE OR A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD. THIS REPAIR IS COSTING ME $1700. MB CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE NO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10476841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,122 milesDenver, COFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR FRO SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, HOWEVER TODAY IT STARTED, WHAT SEEM TO BE A MISFIRE. I CHECKED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, IGNITERS AND THEY WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SMOKE FILED THE INSIDE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY CROSS ROAD, SO INSTANT PANIC SET IN, BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF VISION AND UNABLE TO BREATH FROM THE FUMES. I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES AND HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY HEALTH HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE. AS DAYLIGHT CAME I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON CERTAIN YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ, PER THE VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE AND HOW I AM NOW WRITING ABOUT IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR, BUT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10471970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,122 milesDenver, COFire1 injured
ENGINE
CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR FRO SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, HOWEVER TODAY IT STARTED, WHAT SEEM TO BE A MISFIRE. I CHECKED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, IGNITERS AND THEY WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SMOKE FILED THE INSIDE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY CROSS ROAD, SO INSTANT PANIC SET IN, BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF VISION AND UNABLE TO BREATH FROM THE FUMES. I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES AND HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY HEALTH HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE. AS DAYLIGHT CAME I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON CERTAIN YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ, PER THE VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE AND HOW I AM NOW WRITING ABOUT IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR, BUT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10471970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,122 milesDenver, COFire1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR FRO SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, HOWEVER TODAY IT STARTED, WHAT SEEM TO BE A MISFIRE. I CHECKED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, IGNITERS AND THEY WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 35 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SMOKE FILED THE INSIDE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON A BUSY CROSS ROAD, SO INSTANT PANIC SET IN, BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF VISION AND UNABLE TO BREATH FROM THE FUMES. I SUFFER FROM MIGRAINES AND HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP BECAUSE MY HEALTH HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE. AS DAYLIGHT CAME I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON CERTAIN YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ, PER THE VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE AND HOW I AM NOW WRITING ABOUT IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR, BUT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10471970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSeeatle, WA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10458447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBoca Raton, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WIRE HARNESS ON MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. IT ACTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE BY THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR CONNECTOR. ALL OF THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS IS GONE.
NHTSA complaint #10455008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesColbert, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BADLY DETERIORATED DUE TO USING POOR MATERIALS. THIS IS A VERY HIGH OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT IT CAN CAUSE STALLING, SUDDEN ACCELERATION, FIRE AND IT CAN ALSO CAUSE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO OTHER VEHICLE SYSTEMS. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OUT OF CONCERN FOR CONSUMER SAFETY, AND EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10389389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesColbert, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BADLY DETERIORATED DUE TO USING POOR MATERIALS. THIS IS A VERY HIGH OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THAT IT CAN CAUSE STALLING, SUDDEN ACCELERATION, FIRE AND IT CAN ALSO CAUSE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO OTHER VEHICLE SYSTEMS. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OUT OF CONCERN FOR CONSUMER SAFETY, AND EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10389389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,900 milesLK Worth, FL
TIRES
ROTTED DISINTEGRATED WIRING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM--DASHBOARD LIGHTS THAT GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY---- ABS, CLOCK, OUTSIDE TEMP GAUGE, REAR DEFROSTER. HAD PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION---WIRING WAS "PATCHED UP" AS BEST AS IT COULD BE AND STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A 1995 C-280 WITH APPROX. 118000 MI. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN UNRELATED PROBLEM WHICH, ACCORDING TO MY BENZ MECH, JUST LIKE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THESE CARS,WAS A DISINTEGRATING GAS HOSE THAT HAD GASOLINE SPEWING EVERYWHERE. THE THREE (EXPENSIVE) HOSES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO SHOW RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS A CLASS ACTION SUIT MIGHT STIR THEM UP.
NHTSA complaint #10247400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,900 milesLK Worth, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ROTTED DISINTEGRATED WIRING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM--DASHBOARD LIGHTS THAT GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY---- ABS, CLOCK, OUTSIDE TEMP GAUGE, REAR DEFROSTER. HAD PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION---WIRING WAS "PATCHED UP" AS BEST AS IT COULD BE AND STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A 1995 C-280 WITH APPROX. 118000 MI. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN UNRELATED PROBLEM WHICH, ACCORDING TO MY BENZ MECH, JUST LIKE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THESE CARS,WAS A DISINTEGRATING GAS HOSE THAT HAD GASOLINE SPEWING EVERYWHERE. THE THREE (EXPENSIVE) HOSES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO SHOW RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS A CLASS ACTION SUIT MIGHT STIR THEM UP.
NHTSA complaint #10247400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,900 milesLK Worth, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ROTTED DISINTEGRATED WIRING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM--DASHBOARD LIGHTS THAT GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY---- ABS, CLOCK, OUTSIDE TEMP GAUGE, REAR DEFROSTER. HAD PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION---WIRING WAS "PATCHED UP" AS BEST AS IT COULD BE AND STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A 1995 C-280 WITH APPROX. 118000 MI. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN UNRELATED PROBLEM WHICH, ACCORDING TO MY BENZ MECH, JUST LIKE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THESE CARS,WAS A DISINTEGRATING GAS HOSE THAT HAD GASOLINE SPEWING EVERYWHERE. THE THREE (EXPENSIVE) HOSES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO SHOW RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS A CLASS ACTION SUIT MIGHT STIR THEM UP.
NHTSA complaint #10247400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,100 milesSAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1.TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GAUGE HAS INTERMITTENT ISSUES. ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ONE COLD MORNING. 2. ENGINE STALLS / STUTTERS WHEN COLD. LOST POWER TO CAR AND ALMOST HIT A WALL TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. 3 3. NO MONEY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE YET. I DRIVE A DIFFERENT CAR DAILY AND TRY TO AVOID USING THIS ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10244954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,100 milesSAN Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1.TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GAUGE HAS INTERMITTENT ISSUES. ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ONE COLD MORNING. 2. ENGINE STALLS / STUTTERS WHEN COLD. LOST POWER TO CAR AND ALMOST HIT A WALL TRYING TO STOP THE CAR. 3 3. NO MONEY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE YET. I DRIVE A DIFFERENT CAR DAILY AND TRY TO AVOID USING THIS ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10244954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesStockton, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WIRES IN MY ENGINE HARNESS TO MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280,THE INSULATION OF THE WIRES DISINTEGRATED(TURNED TO DUST).ITS BEEN SAID THAT IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THAT MERCEDES DOESN'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT .WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF PAYING $1300 PROBLEM (WE WILL KEEP THE OLD PART).MERCEDES IS CASHING IN ON THERE MISTAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10241136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesAustin, TX1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE WIRE HARNESS ALL WIRE INSULATIONS IN THE HARNESS ARE IN A SERIOUS DISINTEGRATED AND ARE SHORTING OUT ON EACH OTHER IN A WRAPPED UP HARNESS CONFIGURATION MY GOD IS ANYONE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS .
NHTSA complaint #10226124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,187 milesSAN Francisco, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1995 MERCEDES C280 SEDAN. MILEAGE 59,187. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECTIVE DUE TO POOR SUBSTANDARD OEM QUALITY HAS DETERIORATED INTERNALLY AND VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS IN MANNER WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR FIRE. VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE. MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FAULT INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND RELATED VEHICLE MODELS. COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $1700. REPAIR DONE OUT OF POCKET TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10209811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,187 milesSAN Francisco, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1995 MERCEDES C280 SEDAN. MILEAGE 59,187. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECTIVE DUE TO POOR SUBSTANDARD OEM QUALITY HAS DETERIORATED INTERNALLY AND VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS IN MANNER WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR FIRE. VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE. MERCEDES BENZ USA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FAULT INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND RELATED VEHICLE MODELS. COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $1700. REPAIR DONE OUT OF POCKET TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10209811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,404 milesBristol, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DEGRADING WIRE HARNESS CAUSES MY 95 MERCEDES C280 TO CUT OUT IN TRAFFIC CAUSING SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES {FUEL,BRAKES,FIRES, ACCIDENTS] I NOW OWN A PIECE OF WORTHLESS JUNK THAT MERCEDES WILL NOT ADMIT HAS THIS VERY COMMON VERY SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE 96,000 MILES ,ASR SYS FAIL ,COMPUTER MOD FAIL ,CHECK ENG CODES WILL COST 2000-3000 TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT,,PLEASE TELL MERCEDES THANKS FOR APIECE OF JUNK.
NHTSA complaint #10208228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesWalnut Creek, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT/BLOWN HEAD GASKET. BAD O2 SENSOR. EVENTUALLY TRACED TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THE MERCEDES 280C IS SINGLED OUT FOR SMOG ONLY CHECK IN CA.
NHTSA complaint #10208159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesWalnut Creek, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT/BLOWN HEAD GASKET. BAD O2 SENSOR. EVENTUALLY TRACED TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THE MERCEDES 280C IS SINGLED OUT FOR SMOG ONLY CHECK IN CA.
NHTSA complaint #10208159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
OUR VEHICLE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST KILLED MY FAMILY. THE CAUSE WAS AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. *JB UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO BUY A NEW WIRING HARNESS AT THE COST OF $765.00. UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10205097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesSAN Mateo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO MY 1995 MERCEDES C280, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE ON THE ROAD AND THREE OCCASIONS ON THE FREEWAY. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD AND THERE WAS A SHORTAGE FROM TIME TO TIME CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY STOP. WE CAN'T USE THE CAR FOR NOW BECAUSE ITS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10201834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesDuvall, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATING TO THE POINT OF EXPOSED WIRE AT 90,000 MILES. ENGINE FAILURE CAUSES STANDING IN DESOLATE AREA OF MONTANA.
NHTSA complaint #10199862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73 milesBronx, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I HAVE A 1995 C280 MERCEDES BENZ AND I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE BEEN READING IN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MID 90'S MERCEDES BENZ. THE FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS IS DISINTEGRATED CAUSING EXPOSE WIRING AND MY CAR IS MIS-FIRING AND SHAKING IS UNCONTROLLABLE. I'M APPALLED TO SEE THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING, AND MERCEDES FAIL TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE MERCEDES MANUFACTURE SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF RECALL IN EFFECT BECAUSE THIS IS A EXPENSIVE CAR PARTS TO REPLACE AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACE BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE ANACCIDENT OR FIRE. SOMEONE SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER, ITS DESPICABLE. I THOUGHT THIS CAR COMPANY HAD SOME INTEGRITY BUT ITS VERY APPARENT ID DOESN'T.
NHTSA complaint #10199600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.