Owners have filed 64 complaints
about the 1995 Mercedes Benz C Class with NHTSA between 2000 and 2010.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 9 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 — 100
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz C Class. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 65
12.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 10
6% 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 C Class
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
1645.7%
Wiring
1337.1%
Software
12.9%
Solenoid
12.9%
Linkages
12.9%
Catalytic Convertor
12.9%
Module
12.9%
Ignition
12.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
36.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1224.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
714.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2244.9%
150,000+ miles
510.2%
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.
Jul 2000peak 6Sep 2010
Recalls on the 1995 Mercedes Benz C Class
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19960323,003 units in Canada
Structure
On certain vehicles, in the case of a minor frontal impact (hood latch area bumped) it is possible for the hood latch hook to be damaged and not function as a secondary safety catch as required by CMVSS 113 - Hood Latch System. If the hook is damaged and the hood is not properly latched, the hood could suddenly fly up during driving and block the driver's view of the road. Correction: Hood latch mechanism will be replaced with a redesigned version.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 185,000 milesHarleysville, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 1995 C280 MERCEDES, PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY MY DAUGHTER FOR 5 YEARS. THE CAR ALWAYS IDLED ROUGH, OCCASIONALLY BACKFIRES, LACKS OVERALL POWER. MY DAUGHTER HAD IT TO THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY NEVER REALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. TWO DAYS AGO I STARTED IT, HEARD A LOUD POP AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND SMELLED ELECTRICAL WIRES BURNING. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST MERCEDES DEALER. THEY WANT A TOTAL OF $3300 TO REPAIR IT. THE ISSUE IS THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IN 1993-1995 C280 MODELS MERCEDES TRIED A NEW INSULATION COVERING ON THE WIRES AND IT DOES NOT HOLD UP. IN FACT, I HAVE SEEN THE RESULT IN NUMEROUS PICTURES OF THE CONDITION THE WIRES. THE INSULATION JUST DESINTERGRATES. I READ THAT UP UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO MERCEDES WAS REPLACING THEM BUT THEN THEY JUST STOPPED. WHY ISN'T THIS AN OFFICIAL RECALL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10234047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesBrooklyn, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THAT CAUSED SMOKING AND FIRE, CAUGHT IN TIME. WIRING INSULATION IS FAULTY, MADE BRITTLE DUE TO ENGINE HEAT. ALSO CAUSED CAR TO STALL AND NOT RESTART WITHOUT COSTLY REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10219608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,990 milesAustin, TX2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WE JUST BOUGHT A 95 MERCEDES BENZ C280.WE GOT IT IN DALLAS AND DROVE HOME TO AUSTIN. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK WHEN WE LEFT BUT AFTER WE GOT HOME AND STARTED THE CAR UP FOR THE FIRST TIME THE NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SRS LIGHT CAME ON,AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY NEVER TURNED OFF. ALL OF A SUDDEN THREE INDICATOR LIGHTS THE VERY NEXT DAY. SO I OPENED UP THE HOOD TO TAKE A LOOK AND AFTER CAREFUL LOOKING I COULD SEE THAT THE WIRES GOING TO CONNECTIONS ON THE ENGINE WERE CRACKED INSULATIONS EVERYWHERE ON ALL THE WIRES. SO I WENT TO UNPLUG ONE AND ALL OF THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES JUST ALL FELL OFF. NOW THERE ARE FOUR WIRES WITH NO INSULATION FROM THE CONNECTION TO WHERE THE WIRES ARE WRAPPED TIGHT. COMPLETELY BARE. NO INSULATION AT ALL COMPLETELY EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRES. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THIS SO I UNWRAPPED SOME OF THE WRAP TO SEE IF THE WIRES CONTINUED TO SHOW THIS DEGREGATION ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE HARNESS AND IT DOES. SO I STOP THERE AND SEPARATED THE EXPOSED WIRES SO THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH OTHERS AND CREATE A SHORT. THE WIRE HARNESS IN THESE CARS IS A COMPLETE FAILURE. THIS CONDITION MUST BE CORRECTED BEFORE WE CAN DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. WIRES IN A CAR THAT CANNOT SUPPORT THE VERY INSULATION THAT IS ON THEM IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.THE LAST TIME I SAW THIS PROBLEM WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER HEARD OF IT.AND IT KILLED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON A PAN AM FLIGHT. ELECTRICAL WIRES WITH BAD INSULATION SHORTED OUT AND BLEW UP THE CENTER FUEL CELL. IF YOU LOOK UP THIS CRASH THAT KILLED EVERYONE ON BOARD AND LOOK AT THE WIRES ON ANOTHER PLANE YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE EXACT DEFECT. INSULATION COMES OFF AND WIRES TOUCH AND THEN THERE'S FIRE. ALL OF THESE PLANES WITH THESE WIRE HARNESSES WERE GROUNDED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BEFORE RETURNING TO SERVICE. THANK GOD BENZ DIDN'T PUT WINGS ON THESE CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10198248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesSAN Francisco, CACrash2 injured1 killed
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER STOP AND PROCEEDING ON RESIDENTIAL STREET. COLLISION RESULTED FROM SUDDEN ACCELERATION, LOSS OF CONTROL AND NON-RESPONSIVE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10173878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesStudio City, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SEE LETTER NO LETTER ENCLOSED.
NHTSA complaint #10093672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 181,000 milesWesterly, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY WELL MAINTAINED '95 MERCEDES-BENZ C280 OF WHICH I AM THE SINGLE OWNER SINCE NEW HAS A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD DISASTER AS THE CAR JUST LOST IT'S POWER TO DRIVE WHILE BEING DRIVEN...BY MY SON, WHO JUST CAME OFF OF I-95. HE MANAGED TO GET TO SAFER GROUND AND HAD TO BE TOWED. MECHANIC(NOT A MBENZ ONE) STATES NEVER SEEING ANYTHING LIKE IT AS THE WIRE COATING IS DISINTEGRATING INTO A POWDER LIKE SUBSTANCE AND BARING ALL METAL...CAUSED IT TO ARC WHEN FIRST LOOKING. THANK GOOD FORTUNE IT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE, EXPLODE OR CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. SO IF REPLACED BY MBENZ PART CAUSE IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED....WON'T THE SAME THING HAPPEN WITH IT?
NHTSA complaint #10357488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesNashville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE ON 1995 MERCEDES C280, ONLY 60,000 MILES ON CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10353811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesOrlando, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10319649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesOrlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10319649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesMcallen, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE ON 1995 C 220 MERCEDES - BENZ. HAD ALL ENGINE WIRING REPLACED AT A COST OF $500.00. HAVING SO MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED MANY PARTS TO BE CHANGED THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE CHANGED. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR OVER 9 MONTHS BECAUSE MECHANIC CAN NOT FIGURE WHY CAR CONTINUE HAVING LOST OF POWER.BEFORE I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE BAD WIRING ON THIS C 220 BENZ,MY CAR WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHILE TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS COULD HAVE TRAGIC THANK GOD THEY SLOWED DOWN TO LET ME CROSS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT ASAP BEFORE SOME GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR RECEIVE DEATH FORM THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. I'M OVER $4,000.00 IN THE HOLE AND STILL NO WORKING C220 MERCEDES BENZ YET!
NHTSA complaint #10318138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
POWER TRAIN
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 SPEAKING TO THE MANUFACTURER (MB-USA IN NY), LOCAL DEALERS, OWNERS AND READING VARIOUS WEBSITES, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR I AM AWARE OF IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THE DISINTEGRATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL ENGINE HEAT IRREGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A AFFECTED CAR WITH HIGHER MILES IS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FAILING OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS NATURALLY ALSO LEAVES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF OLDER AFFECTED CARS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGEROUS AND FATAL EFFECTS OF A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND ISSUE A RECALL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE OWNERS. I KNOW THAT MY CAR FALLS IN THE CATEGORY WHERE THE HARNESS IS POSSIBLY BAD, AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THE MY CAR'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HOPE AT THE LEAST YOU CAN SEEK A RESOLUTION FOR ME FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REMEDYING A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE MODEL I OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10299650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 SPEAKING TO THE MANUFACTURER (MB-USA IN NY), LOCAL DEALERS, OWNERS AND READING VARIOUS WEBSITES, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR I AM AWARE OF IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THE DISINTEGRATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL ENGINE HEAT IRREGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A AFFECTED CAR WITH HIGHER MILES IS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FAILING OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS NATURALLY ALSO LEAVES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF OLDER AFFECTED CARS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGEROUS AND FATAL EFFECTS OF A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND ISSUE A RECALL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE OWNERS. I KNOW THAT MY CAR FALLS IN THE CATEGORY WHERE THE HARNESS IS POSSIBLY BAD, AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THE MY CAR'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HOPE AT THE LEAST YOU CAN SEEK A RESOLUTION FOR ME FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REMEDYING A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE MODEL I OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10299650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 SPEAKING TO THE MANUFACTURER (MB-USA IN NY), LOCAL DEALERS, OWNERS AND READING VARIOUS WEBSITES, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR I AM AWARE OF IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THE DISINTEGRATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL ENGINE HEAT IRREGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A AFFECTED CAR WITH HIGHER MILES IS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FAILING OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS NATURALLY ALSO LEAVES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF OLDER AFFECTED CARS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGEROUS AND FATAL EFFECTS OF A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND ISSUE A RECALL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE OWNERS. I KNOW THAT MY CAR FALLS IN THE CATEGORY WHERE THE HARNESS IS POSSIBLY BAD, AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THE MY CAR'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HOPE AT THE LEAST YOU CAN SEEK A RESOLUTION FOR ME FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REMEDYING A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE MODEL I OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10299650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
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 SPEAKING TO THE MANUFACTURER (MB-USA IN NY), LOCAL DEALERS, OWNERS AND READING VARIOUS WEBSITES, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR I AM AWARE OF IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THE DISINTEGRATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL ENGINE HEAT IRREGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A AFFECTED CAR WITH HIGHER MILES IS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FAILING OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS NATURALLY ALSO LEAVES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF OLDER AFFECTED CARS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGEROUS AND FATAL EFFECTS OF A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND ISSUE A RECALL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE OWNERS. I KNOW THAT MY CAR FALLS IN THE CATEGORY WHERE THE HARNESS IS POSSIBLY BAD, AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THE MY CAR'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HOPE AT THE LEAST YOU CAN SEEK A RESOLUTION FOR ME FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REMEDYING A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE MODEL I OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10299650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 SPEAKING TO THE MANUFACTURER (MB-USA IN NY), LOCAL DEALERS, OWNERS AND READING VARIOUS WEBSITES, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR I AM AWARE OF IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THE DISINTEGRATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL ENGINE HEAT IRREGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A AFFECTED CAR WITH HIGHER MILES IS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FAILING OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS NATURALLY ALSO LEAVES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF OLDER AFFECTED CARS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGEROUS AND FATAL EFFECTS OF A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND ISSUE A RECALL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE OWNERS. I KNOW THAT MY CAR FALLS IN THE CATEGORY WHERE THE HARNESS IS POSSIBLY BAD, AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THE MY CAR'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HOPE AT THE LEAST YOU CAN SEEK A RESOLUTION FOR ME FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REMEDYING A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE MODEL I OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10299650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 SPEAKING TO THE MANUFACTURER (MB-USA IN NY), LOCAL DEALERS, OWNERS AND READING VARIOUS WEBSITES, I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR I AM AWARE OF IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THE DISINTEGRATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL ENGINE HEAT IRREGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT A AFFECTED CAR WITH HIGHER MILES IS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FAILING OF THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS NATURALLY ALSO LEAVES DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF OLDER AFFECTED CARS MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DANGEROUS AND FATAL EFFECTS OF A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER AND ISSUE A RECALL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE OWNERS. I KNOW THAT MY CAR FALLS IN THE CATEGORY WHERE THE HARNESS IS POSSIBLY BAD, AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT ME TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THE MY CAR'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HOPE AT THE LEAST YOU CAN SEEK A RESOLUTION FOR ME FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REMEDYING A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE MODEL I OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10299650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,225 milesNaples, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MERCEDES-BENZ ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT ENCLOSED, PLEASE FIND A LIST OF REPORTED COMPLAINTS THAT I FOUND ON YOUR VERY OWN NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) WEBSITE CONCERNING THE CHRONIC ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS FAILURE SUFFERED BY (AT THE LEAST) 1992 THROUGH 1995 MERCEDES BENZ AUTOMOBILES. THIS LIST IS NOT, BY ANY MEANS, MEANT TO BE COMPLETE, AS IT ONLY LISTS THOSE REPORTS THAT I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE. NOTE THAT THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON THE LIST IS MINE. I AM OUTRAGED AT MERCEDES-BENZ' ARROGANT REFUSAL TO OWN UP TO, AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR, THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DESIGN AND ENGINEERING DEFECT. FOR THE LIFE OF ME (LITERALLY), I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY NHTSA HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. I WILL NOT BE SATISFIED WITH LESS THAN MERCEDES' IMMEDIATE RECTIFICATION. I WAS ASKED BY MERCEDES BENZ DEALER OVER $4,000 TO FIX PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10287295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesBurbank, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (NJ TURNPIKE, MY ENGINE BEGAN TO BECOME CHALLENGED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER A COUPLE OF MILES, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. WITH NOWHERE TO PULL OVER I DROVE ACROSS THE BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE AT 20 MPH. A FEW BLOCKS AFTER EXITING THE BRIDGE THE CAR SIMPLY FAILED. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I DETERMINED THAT MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS OF MY SAME MODEL CAR HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE - THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION WAS SHOT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10280785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,500 milesAustin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ C36 HAS FAILED, CRACK AND DISINTEGRATED WIRE COVERINGS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10250570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,500 milesAustin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ C36 HAS FAILED, CRACK AND DISINTEGRATED WIRE COVERINGS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10250570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,500 milesCincinnati, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RE: CASE 45839 I HAVE THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS THAT WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. IT IS AMAZING THAT THIS CAR RAN AT ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU THE HARNESS SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM MERCEDES IS COVERING UP. IT COST ME OVER $2100.00 TO GET THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN SEND YOU THE HARNESS. DAVE YOUNG
NHTSA complaint #10246273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,500 milesCincinnati, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR STARTED ACTING LIKE IT WAS DRIVEN BY REMOTE CONTROL. STARTING STOPPING THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 7000 RPM I COULD NOT HOLD IT BY THE BRAKE HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND HAVE IT TOWED. WIRING HARNESS HAD SHORTED OUT. I HEAR THIS MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I'M GLAD I WAS DRIVING INSTEAD OF MY 16 YEAR OLD SON. THIS COULD HAVE HAD A MUCH GRIMMER OUTCOME.
NHTSA complaint #10245198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHazlet, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C280 WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND STALLED ON THE ROAD. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO MERCEDES DEALER AND FOUND THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND DETERIORATING AND CRUMBLING CRACKED AND EXPOSED WIRES. MY IGNITION PORTION FAILED WHERE THE WIRES CONNECT TO THE SPARK PLUGS AND HIGH ENERGY COILS SHORTING OUT AGAINST THE ENGINE FRAME. VEHICLE TOWED AND TECHNICIANS REPLACED ENGINE HARNESS PARTS PLUS LABOR $1,500. REPAIR BILL. THE HARNESS IS A MANUFACTURED DEALER NEW ITEM ONLY NO REPAIR COULD BE MADE AS THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE AND CONTROLS CRITICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE ENGINE OPERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10243127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesAtlanta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DISINTEGRATING WIRING HARNESS ON MB C280 1995. THIS CAUSED MY CAR TO STOP RUNNING AND VARIOUS OTHER ELECTRICAL FAULTS UNTIL REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC - WHO STATED "THIS HAPPENS TO ALL MBS OF THIS VINTAGE - IT WAS BAD WIRING THAT MB BOUGHT. GOOD THING YOU CAUGHT IT BECAUSE IT CAN DO MORE DAMAGE".
NHTSA complaint #10241306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lenoir City, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUSED AUTOMOBILE TO BE INOPERABLE AND UNSAFE. MANUFACTUER IS AWARE AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. 1995 MERCEDES C280.
NHTSA complaint #10240059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesHarleysville, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 1995 C280 MERCEDES, PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY MY DAUGHTER FOR 5 YEARS. THE CAR ALWAYS IDLED ROUGH, OCCASIONALLY BACKFIRES, LACKS OVERALL POWER. MY DAUGHTER HAD IT TO THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY NEVER REALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. TWO DAYS AGO I STARTED IT, HEARD A LOUD POP AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND SMELLED ELECTRICAL WIRES BURNING. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST MERCEDES DEALER. THEY WANT A TOTAL OF $3300 TO REPAIR IT. THE ISSUE IS THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IN 1993-1995 C280 MODELS MERCEDES TRIED A NEW INSULATION COVERING ON THE WIRES AND IT DOES NOT HOLD UP. IN FACT, I HAVE SEEN THE RESULT IN NUMEROUS PICTURES OF THE CONDITION THE WIRES. THE INSULATION JUST DESINTERGRATES. I READ THAT UP UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO MERCEDES WAS REPLACING THEM BUT THEN THEY JUST STOPPED. WHY ISN'T THIS AN OFFICIAL RECALL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10234047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walhalla, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10229796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.