2006 Mercedes Benz C280 problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Broken rear subframe because of rust and corrosion with perforation. Manufacturer refused to cover the repair.

NHTSA complaint #11755114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

While driving at approximately 70 mph on a highway, the rear subframe of the vehicle suddenly and catastrophically failed. This caused the vehicle to fishtail violently and nearly led to a serious highway accident. I was able to regain control and pull off the road safely, but the vehicle was no longer drivable and had to be towed. An inspection by a certified technician confirmed that the rear subframe rusted from the inside and experienced a complete structural failure. One of the suspension control arms even broke off of the subframe due to rust. The vehicle showed no warning lights or symptoms prior to the incident. The road was dry and free of potholes or debris, and the car had been properly maintained and garage-kept for the prior 16 years. This issue is a known defect in Mercedes-Benz vehicles of similar design. Mercedes-Benz has extended the subframe warranty for C-Class vehicles from model years 2008–2015 due to widespread internal subframe corrosion. However, this vehicle (2006 model year) is not covered, despite experiencing the same failure. The corrosion originated from inside the subframe, indicating a manufacturing or materials defect rather than environmental exposure. This failure posed a severe risk to my safety and the safety of others, especially since it occurred at highway speeds without warning. The problem has been documented in other vehicles and is the subject of a current class-action lawsuit (Case § 1:23-cv-00636 in the state of Georgia).

NHTSA complaint #11669316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

SRS light went on. Restraint malfunction message flashed across screen. Code reader pulls up dealer recall for driver airbag possibly exploding due to build up of pressure. My VIN is not included and dealer will not honor. Stuck with unsafe car or HUGE expense out of pocket.

NHTSA complaint #11667926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

SRS light went on. Restraint malfunction message flashed across screen. Code reader pulls up dealer recall for driver airbag possibly exploding due to build up of pressure. My VIN is not included and dealer will not honor. Stuck with unsafe car or HUGE expense out of pocket.

NHTSA complaint #11667926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The balance shaft sprocket in this car needs to be recalled. It has has known issues since it came out nearly 20 years ago. It can cause your whole engine to blow if not fixed. The fix is often more than the value of the car, around $7000. It is ridiculous. The part was not properly heat treated during manufacture which causes it to fail prematurely at the expense of the owner.

NHTSA complaint #11663649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Our car was recalled on 07/03/2008, recall #08V303000, for problems relating to a number of types of mechanical and electrical malfunctions. One was the "(3) OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND (4) THE SPEEDODOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE" This vehicle has had a malfunctioning "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT", that needs to be corrected. It prevents the car from being properly registered, and the warning being on is a distraction to drivers. It has been unresolved by Mercedes and by other mechanics who could not make the proper repair of the "Check Engine Light" issue that was listed in the recall. Mercedes has failed to make the repair, associated with this recall and states that the recall #08V303000 of 07/03/2008 is expired. The car had had recent additional recall work done, and this problem was brought up, but not addressed nor corrected by Mercedes. There has been difficulty in our obtaining Connecticut vehicle emissions approval, and Connecticut registration renewal due to the unaddressed problem by Mercedes. We cannot re-register the vehicle out of Connecticut until this issue is resolved. If we chose the sale of the vehicle, we would have to provide the purchaser a clear and registerable vehicle. Without your assistance in the resolution of this matter that would be impossible to do.

NHTSA complaint #11559915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Our car was recalled on 07/03/2008, recall #08V303000, for problems relating to a number of types of mechanical and electrical malfunctions. One was the "(3) OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND (4) THE SPEEDODOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE" This vehicle has had a malfunctioning "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT", that needs to be corrected. It prevents the car from being properly registered, and the warning being on is a distraction to drivers. It has been unresolved by Mercedes and by other mechanics who could not make the proper repair of the "Check Engine Light" issue that was listed in the recall. Mercedes has failed to make the repair, associated with this recall and states that the recall #08V303000 of 07/03/2008 is expired. The car had had recent additional recall work done, and this problem was brought up, but not addressed nor corrected by Mercedes. There has been difficulty in our obtaining Connecticut vehicle emissions approval, and Connecticut registration renewal due to the unaddressed problem by Mercedes. We cannot re-register the vehicle out of Connecticut until this issue is resolved. If we chose the sale of the vehicle, we would have to provide the purchaser a clear and registerable vehicle. Without your assistance in the resolution of this matter that would be impossible to do.

NHTSA complaint #11559915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Our car was recalled on 07/03/2008, recall #08V303000, for problems relating to a number of types of mechanical and electrical malfunctions. One was the "(3) OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND (4) THE SPEEDODOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE" This vehicle has had a malfunctioning "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT", that needs to be corrected. It prevents the car from being properly registered, and the warning being on is a distraction to drivers. It has been unresolved by Mercedes and by other mechanics who could not make the proper repair of the "Check Engine Light" issue that was listed in the recall. Mercedes has failed to make the repair, associated with this recall and states that the recall #08V303000 of 07/03/2008 is expired. The car had had recent additional recall work done, and this problem was brought up, but not addressed nor corrected by Mercedes. There has been difficulty in our obtaining Connecticut vehicle emissions approval, and Connecticut registration renewal due to the unaddressed problem by Mercedes. We cannot re-register the vehicle out of Connecticut until this issue is resolved. If we chose the sale of the vehicle, we would have to provide the purchaser a clear and registerable vehicle. Without your assistance in the resolution of this matter that would be impossible to do.

NHTSA complaint #11559915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2018. THE BALANCE SHAFT GEAR HAS A RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT HONORING THE RECALL WITHOUT AN EXTENSION FROM THE MERECEDES BENZ COMPANY. AS WELL MY MOON ROOF NEED THE BONDING REPAIR AND IT IS SHOWING A RECALL IN THE SYSTEM

NHTSA complaint #11479370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2018. THE BALANCE SHAFT GEAR HAS A RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT HONORING THE RECALL WITHOUT AN EXTENSION FROM THE MERECEDES BENZ COMPANY. AS WELL MY MOON ROOF NEED THE BONDING REPAIR AND IT IS SHOWING A RECALL IN THE SYSTEM

NHTSA complaint #11479370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I just purchased this vehicle and it says it has a recall on the sliding window please help me get it fixed

NHTSA complaint #11440574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I have a 2006 Mercedes C280 which I purchased almost a year ago with 57,000 miles. It currently has 73,000 miles and is having major mechanical problems which have been life threatening due to when and where they occur. 1. Loss of transmission upon acceleration. If I pull over, turn it off and restart, it will shift fine until it decides it wants to do it again and I either lose the ability to shift, or it goes into limp mode without a Check engine light. This has happened on the freeway, heavy traffic, and have been several close calls. The shop said the codes were for transmission malfunction and valve body malfunction. Just out of nowhere. 2. Check engine light goes on and off repeatedly and The plastic intake manifold needs to be replaced because it is one of the defects Mercedes was sued for on this particular year, model, and engine. All of the oxygen sensors are going out as well and that is just the start. The cost for the part alone is in the $1000 range. My mechanic said the best is yet to come and explained around my current mileage on up is when most of the damage takes place with the valves and whatever else happened with this engine. I'm not sure exactly what all the problems were but he said to take it to the junkyard and was very serious which infuriates me because it's a beautiful car and I couldn't in good conscience sell it to anyone. Mercedes is fully aware of this but not a lot of people benefited from the settlement. The same problems are known by all owners and German mechanics.

NHTSA complaint #11439581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I have a 2006 Mercedes C280 which I purchased almost a year ago with 57,000 miles. It currently has 73,000 miles and is having major mechanical problems which have been life threatening due to when and where they occur. 1. Loss of transmission upon acceleration. If I pull over, turn it off and restart, it will shift fine until it decides it wants to do it again and I either lose the ability to shift, or it goes into limp mode without a Check engine light. This has happened on the freeway, heavy traffic, and have been several close calls. The shop said the codes were for transmission malfunction and valve body malfunction. Just out of nowhere. 2. Check engine light goes on and off repeatedly and The plastic intake manifold needs to be replaced because it is one of the defects Mercedes was sued for on this particular year, model, and engine. All of the oxygen sensors are going out as well and that is just the start. The cost for the part alone is in the $1000 range. My mechanic said the best is yet to come and explained around my current mileage on up is when most of the damage takes place with the valves and whatever else happened with this engine. I'm not sure exactly what all the problems were but he said to take it to the junkyard and was very serious which infuriates me because it's a beautiful car and I couldn't in good conscience sell it to anyone. Mercedes is fully aware of this but not a lot of people benefited from the settlement. The same problems are known by all owners and German mechanics.

NHTSA complaint #11439581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

We have 71,000 miles on our 2006 Mercedes Benz C280. Before Christmas, the engine light starts going on and the engine starts sounding rough and jerking. We take it into Mercedes Benz and they diagnose a cam shaft issue. It turns out all 2006 Mercedes Benz C280 have the same problem with the same mileage. This car is a safety hazard and needs to be recalled.

NHTSA complaint #11423484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR RESPONSE SLOWLY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE OVER REV'S BUT NO POWER THE SAME HAPPENS WHEN CHANGING LANES. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THE CAR LOCKED UP BOTH THE ENGINE AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT I HAD TO TURN IN ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY REVERSE THIS INCIDENT PLACED MY LIFE IN DANGER BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR LOCKED UP HALF OF IT WAS ON THE DRIVEWAY AND THE OTHER HALF IN THE STREET IMPEDING TRAFFIC. I AM NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE IT DOESN'T RESPOND AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11405096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR RESPONSE SLOWLY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE OVER REV'S BUT NO POWER THE SAME HAPPENS WHEN CHANGING LANES. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THE CAR LOCKED UP BOTH THE ENGINE AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT I HAD TO TURN IN ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY REVERSE THIS INCIDENT PLACED MY LIFE IN DANGER BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR LOCKED UP HALF OF IT WAS ON THE DRIVEWAY AND THE OTHER HALF IN THE STREET IMPEDING TRAFFIC. I AM NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE IT DOESN'T RESPOND AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11405096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR RESPONSE SLOWLY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE OVER REV'S BUT NO POWER THE SAME HAPPENS WHEN CHANGING LANES. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THE CAR LOCKED UP BOTH THE ENGINE AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT I HAD TO TURN IN ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY REVERSE THIS INCIDENT PLACED MY LIFE IN DANGER BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR LOCKED UP HALF OF IT WAS ON THE DRIVEWAY AND THE OTHER HALF IN THE STREET IMPEDING TRAFFIC. I AM NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE IT DOESN'T RESPOND AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11405096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE WIRE HARNESS INSULATION WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLE IS DISINTEGRATING LEAVING THE WIRE, IT'S DESIGNED TO PROTECT, BARE AND EXPOSED TO CONTACT WITH ADAJACENT WIRE ALSO MISSING INSULATION AND NOW BARE. THIS HAS CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHICH WILL RESULT IN SHORT CIRCUITING, LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION, POSSIBLE FIRE AND CIRCUITS DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11166445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MERCEDES BENZ "MB" WANTS TO CHARGE ME $8,800.00 TO FIX A BALANCE SHAFT REPLACEMENT. THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS KIND OF MALFUNCTION

NHTSA complaint #11143352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PRIME MOTORS CARS, 137 US ROUTE 1, SCARBOROUGH, ME 04074, (207) 510-2250) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT VIN AVAILABLE UPDATED 12/06/18

NHTSA complaint #11140370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TAMARA RECALL I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED IF MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE LATEST AIRBAG RECALLS. HOWEHER, THE SRS LIGHT REMAINS CONSTANT AND MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS DON'T WORK AS WELL AS WIPERS. AT THE TIME I HEARD A LOUD POP IN CAR IT WAS STATIONARY AT A GAS STATION.

NHTSA complaint #11053612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

I HEARD THERE IS A RECALL ON MY C280 MERCEDES AIR BAGS

NHTSA complaint #10947719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WITH A P0015 CODE WHICH INDICATES A CAMSHAFT PROBLEM. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE REGARDING SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL FOR THIS VEHICLE. IT COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL, NOT SHIFT GEARS AND OTHER ISSUES SUDDENLY.

NHTSA complaint #10862268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.