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FaultScore report

1999 Mercedes Benz C280 problems

Owners have filed 45 complaints about the 1999 Mercedes Benz C280 with NHTSA between 2000 and 2015. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 6 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz C280 All 1999 cars
C

FaultScore 53/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz C280.

How this is worked out

The numbers

45

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

76,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

12%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 63 vs 50 Severity 57 vs 50 Early failure 20 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 63
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz C280. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 57
11.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 20
12% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Mercedes Benz C280

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Mercedes Benz C280

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 11 24.4%

Median failure at 48,000 miles

Suspension 6 13.3%

Median failure at 149,000 miles

Lights 5 11.1%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 42,500 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 4 8.9%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

Electrical System 4 8.9%

Median failure at 86,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 6.7%
Steering 3 6.7%

Median failure at 36,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 4.4%

Median failure at 172,250 miles

Body & Structure 2 4.4%

Median failure at 150,500 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 2.2%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Brakes 1 2.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Airbags 1 2.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 2.2%

Median failure at 54,500 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 4.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 10 40.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 4.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 12.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 12.0%
150,000+ miles 7 28.0%

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.

Jan 2000 peak 4 Jul 2015

NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Mercedes Benz C280

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE03058 Opened 17 Dec 2003 Closed 22 Apr 2004 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Mount Laurel, NJ Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES C280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURN OUT AND HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE BURNING OUT AND CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10417946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Goldsboro, NC Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS AND PLASTIC HOLDER MELTED SEVEN TIMES. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE PLASTIC HOLDER AND BULB UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA complaint #10246491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, CO Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE LANE, HITTING VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #896934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND THE BRAKING WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, CAUSING A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #860082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND THE BRAKING WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, CAUSING A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #860082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 150,000 miles Maple Heights, OH

SUSPENSION

ON JULY 30, 2015 AROUND 1900 HRS. I WAS LEAVING HOME GOING TO PICK UP MY KIDS FROM AROUND THE CORNER. I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT (RED). BEGIN TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN A LOUD BANG HAPPENED THEN SCRAPING. I GOT OUT THE CAR TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND OBSERVED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SAGGING. I RETRACED MY TRACKS ON FOOT AND LOCATED MY COIL SPRING. ONCE I GOT BACK HOME, I JACKED UP THE CAR AND NOTICED MY UPPER SPRING HOUSING ON MY PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10745183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Maple Heights, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

ON JULY 30, 2015 AROUND 1900 HRS. I WAS LEAVING HOME GOING TO PICK UP MY KIDS FROM AROUND THE CORNER. I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT (RED). BEGIN TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN A LOUD BANG HAPPENED THEN SCRAPING. I GOT OUT THE CAR TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND OBSERVED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SAGGING. I RETRACED MY TRACKS ON FOOT AND LOCATED MY COIL SPRING. ONCE I GOT BACK HOME, I JACKED UP THE CAR AND NOTICED MY UPPER SPRING HOUSING ON MY PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10745183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Connersvile, IN

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE UPPER SPRING PERCHES BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10654856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 151,000 miles East Stroudsburg, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A BUMP AND A LOUD POPPING NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FALL TOWARDS THE GROUND AND TILT TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DETECTED EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION WITHIN THE FRAME. A NEW SPRING PERCH AND BUSHING WILL NEED TO BE WELDED TO THE FRAME; THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA complaint #10444011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Laurel, NJ Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES C280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURN OUT AND HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE BURNING OUT AND CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10417946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 196,000 miles Lexington, KY

SUSPENSION:FRONT

AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP IN OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX AT A SLOW SPEED, WE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THEN, AS WE WERE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WE HEARD A GRINDING OR DRAGGING NOISE. WHILE LOOKING UNDER THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TO SEE IF SOMETHING HAD COME LOOSE, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR DROPPED SUDDENLY AFTER ANOTHER LOUD POPPING NOISE. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE CAR SOME MORE I SAW THE SPRING WAS LAYING ON IT'S SIDE BEHIND THE WHEEL. I JACKED THE CAR UP AND REMOVED THE SPRING WHICH WAS JUST LYING THERE LOOSE AND SAW THE UPPER MOUNT/PERCH HAD A LOT OF RUST ON IT AND LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BENT UPWARD AND GAVE WAY, RELEASING THE SPRING. LUCKILY HAPPENED JUST OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT DOOR, BUT HAD JUST DRIVEN HOME FROM A TOWN 30 MINUTES AWAY ON I-75 AT 70 MPH! GLAD IT DIDN'T GIVE WAY THEN!!! I HAVE FOUND TONS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ONLINE SEARCHING "MERCEDES SPRING PERCH RUSTED". VERY COMMON PROBLEM, SHOULD BE RECALLED IN MY OPINION, OR AT THE VERY LEAST A MINIMAL CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER TO HAVE NEW MOUNT/PERCH REWELDED ON BOTH SIDES AT THE SAME TIME. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE RIGHT SIDE GIVES WAY I GUESS!

NHTSA complaint #10398676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 196,000 miles Lexington, KY

SUSPENSION

AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP IN OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX AT A SLOW SPEED, WE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THEN, AS WE WERE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WE HEARD A GRINDING OR DRAGGING NOISE. WHILE LOOKING UNDER THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TO SEE IF SOMETHING HAD COME LOOSE, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR DROPPED SUDDENLY AFTER ANOTHER LOUD POPPING NOISE. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE CAR SOME MORE I SAW THE SPRING WAS LAYING ON IT'S SIDE BEHIND THE WHEEL. I JACKED THE CAR UP AND REMOVED THE SPRING WHICH WAS JUST LYING THERE LOOSE AND SAW THE UPPER MOUNT/PERCH HAD A LOT OF RUST ON IT AND LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BENT UPWARD AND GAVE WAY, RELEASING THE SPRING. LUCKILY HAPPENED JUST OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT DOOR, BUT HAD JUST DRIVEN HOME FROM A TOWN 30 MINUTES AWAY ON I-75 AT 70 MPH! GLAD IT DIDN'T GIVE WAY THEN!!! I HAVE FOUND TONS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ONLINE SEARCHING "MERCEDES SPRING PERCH RUSTED". VERY COMMON PROBLEM, SHOULD BE RECALLED IN MY OPINION, OR AT THE VERY LEAST A MINIMAL CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER TO HAVE NEW MOUNT/PERCH REWELDED ON BOTH SIDES AT THE SAME TIME. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE RIGHT SIDE GIVES WAY I GUESS!

NHTSA complaint #10398676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,559 miles Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010 OUR 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 SEDAN ENGINE STALLED/STOPPED RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. FORTUNATELY FOR US WE WERE NOT ON A FAST MOVING SURFACE STREET, A HIGHWAY OR A FREEWAY. THIS SITUATION, WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS/STOPS MAKES IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR AND STOP IT SINCE THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING ARE DIFFICULT TO USE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. AFTER REFUELING THE CAR WE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 100FT WHEN, WITHOUT ANY DASH BOARD WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER INDICATIONS, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. WE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WOULD NOT START. WE CALLED AAA OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AT APPROXIMATELY 3:15PM, THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AT 3:55PM AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ASKED US TO ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR AND TO OUR SURPRISE THE ENGINE STARTED. WE DROVE TO SOUTH BAY MERCEDES BENZ, TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, WITH THE TOW TRUCK FOLLOWING US. WHILE THE WORK ORDER WAS BEING PREPARED, SERVICE BAY PERSONNEL ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO DO SO. AFTER ABOUT 35 MINUTES, ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFUL. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THE ENGINE STALLING/STOPPING IS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL DISASTER FOR US AND OTHER DRIVERS HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A HIGH TRAFFIC SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA TRAFFIC SAFETY ORGANIZATION. THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE MADE TO DETERMINE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE, REVIEW MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE REPORTS AND OTHER C280 OWNERS. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT SOUTH BAY MERCEDES, TORRANCE, CA, AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. THE ENGINE STALLING/STOPPING WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT TEMPERATURE SENSOR. THERE ARE NO REDUNDANCIES WHEN THIS PART FAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10371212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148,000 miles Clinton Corners, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT

1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 DRIVERS SIDE SPRING PERCH RUSTED AND BROKE . CAUSING SPRING TO FLY OFF LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUSPENSION TO DROP . THE FRONT STEERING WOULD NO LONGER OPERATE BECAUSE WHEEL WAS TRAPPED IN WHEEL WELL. THE INCIDENT IMMEDIATELY DISABLED . CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR AND NEW SPRING , PERCH,AND PLASTIC BUSHING WERE PURCHASED. THE PERCH WAS WELDED TO THE FRAME ,NEW SPRING INSTALLED ALL AT OWNERS EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10311066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Goldsboro, NC Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS AND PLASTIC HOLDER MELTED SEVEN TIMES. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE PLASTIC HOLDER AND BULB UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA complaint #10246491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goldsboro, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SHORTAGE IN TAIL LAMPS AND MELTING OF BULBS.

NHTSA complaint #10237342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,282 miles LA Palma, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MERCEDES-BENZ 1999 C280. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL APART WHILE AT A STOP SIGN NOT FAR FROM HOME, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME BEFORE COMPLETE BREAKDOWN. SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, NO FIRE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 25,284 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10196086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,174 miles ST Loius, MO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

DRIVER SIDE UPPER SPRING CARRIER FAILED ALLOWING THE SPRING TO BECOME JAMBED IN THE STEERING. DUE TO FAILURE OCCURRING AT LOW SPEED (UNDER 20 MPH) LOSS IF STEERING CONTROL CAUSED ONLY MINOR DAMAGE BY COMING IN CONTACT WITH A CURB. A FAILURE OF THIS TYPE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC.

NHTSA complaint #10193383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles South Pasadena, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE ELECTRONIC ODOMETER NO LONGER DISPLAYS THE MILEAGE PROPERLY. THIS SEEMS VERY COMMON FOR THE MERCEDES C-CLASS BUILT BETWEEN 1994-2000.

NHTSA complaint #10183467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles South Pasadena, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE ELECTRONIC ODOMETER NO LONGER DISPLAYS THE MILEAGE PROPERLY. THIS SEEMS VERY COMMON FOR THE MERCEDES C-CLASS BUILT BETWEEN 1994-2000.

NHTSA complaint #10183467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Vancouver, WA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

MY WIPER MOTOR ON MY VEHICLE WENT OUT BECAUSE IT HAS ONE WIPER AND THE GEAR POWERING IT IS PLASTIC AND STRIPPED OUT. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE PERSONALLY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, AND WHILE SEARCHING FOR THIS PART USED I'VE FOUND THAT THIS PART IS SOLD OUT ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY DUE TO THESE MOTORS GOING OUT ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10149987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,500 miles Vancouver, WA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10149991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Chicopee, MA

STEERING

HARMONICA BALANCER ON 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 V6 2.8L ENGINE. I'VE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND STARTING THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERS FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10144527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Chicopee, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

HARMONICA BALANCER ON 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 V6 2.8L ENGINE. I'VE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND STARTING THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERS FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10144527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Chicopee, MA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

HARMONICA BALANCER ON 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 V6 2.8L ENGINE. I'VE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND STARTING THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERS FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10144527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,500 miles Marietta, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS ACCUMULATING BELOW THE DRIVER FLOOR. THIS LEAK FILLED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH FLUID AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THIS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE SHIFTER AND THE REVERSE BACKUP SOLENOID IN SHIFTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MERCEDES SERVICE MANAGER MADE IT CLEAR THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I SHOULD GET THE PART REPLACED. THE SAFETY CONCERN WAS THAT IF THE SHIFTER WAS MOVED TO REVERSED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE PLACED IN REVERSE. I NEVER RECEIVED AN EXPLAINATION OF HOW THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #10125653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salisbury, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO SO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10099153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Brookhaven, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM MY WIFE'S MERCEDES BENZ C-280. ON HER WAY TO OUR MECHANIC, HER CAR DIED, CONVENIENTLY IN FRONT OF ANOTHER MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM WITH THE HARMONIC BALANCER WHICH FLEW OFF ITS APPROPRIATE PLACE ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS BEING LOOKED AT ON 8/31/04 TO ASSESS THE AMOUNT OF DAMGED CAUSED.

NHTSA complaint #10088879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

EXPLOSION OF MERCEDES-BENZ BATTERY IN VEHICLE.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FROM THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BATTERY THE YEAR BEFORE. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10076031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Santa Clara, CA

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED.

NHTSA complaint #10067402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.