49 of the
235 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz C280
are about the engine —
21% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
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.
I am writing about this incident after finding out about the lawsuit filed against Mercedes concerning problems with the balance shaft, the soft metal they used in production, and the COMMON engine codes (P0016 & P0017). I am [XXX] and I was on the highway with my girlfriend going around 75mph and I smelled a burning smell and thought it might’ve been the truck/one of the cars in front of me. All of a sudden my power steering was gone and my car basically lost all power. Only the brakes worked. Thank god the other cars were far enough away from me and I didn’t put anyone else in danger. Due to the loss of control I was forced to pull into the breakdown lane on the LEFT side which was so incredibly dangerous since the highway was so busy. I eventually pulled to the right side of the highway when there was enough space and time to do so and opened my hood and saw that my tensioner blew and the serpentine belt came off. I was so angry because the dealer that sold me the car told me the codes were only emission related and did not affect the mechanics of the car. That’s a whole other issue. I am not so very mechanically inclined but after extensive research I’ve found that this code (which was covered up by Mercedes) was most likely the culprit and has been causing me issues throughout my experience with the vehicle. I am a broke college student. Yes, it was stupid to buy a Mercedes, but I was [XXX] and I’ve learned a lot about cars and the industry since then. At the end of the day, despite my stupidity and ignorance, Mercedes should be held responsible for this issue and everyone who has [had incidents similar to myself or have the codes that I have deserve to be reimbursed for all the repairs, time, and danger they have and will eventually put people in. Don't wait for someone to die on the highway before you consider issuing a recall. DO SOMETHING. I shouldn’t have to fear for my life going out in this car to get to work, school, and most importantly, my family. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I
NHTSA complaint #11589331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
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.
MY CAR RAN HOT AND EVERYTHING ON THE INSIDE BEGAN TO FLICKER. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF TO LET IT COOL. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WITH THE EMFAMOUS P0016 AND P0017 CODES AD I LATER FOUND OUT AND IT HAS NOT RUN THW SAME SINCE. IF DRAGS, SHIFTS INCORRECTLY, AND PULLS WRONG NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11415688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
HVAC MOLD SMELL , THE CAR SMELLS LIKE ($#!*) WHENEVER I USE AC OR HEAT . TRIED LIKE CHANGING 10'S OF CABIN FILTER ,BUT THAT SMELL MAKES ME SICK ALL THE TIME. CHECKED WITH ALL THE MECHANICS ,THEY ONLY SAY ITS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11300436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I JUST BOUGHT THIS W202 94' C280 WITH 150K IN THE SPRING TIME WHICH SURPRISINGLY RAN FINE WITH NO ISSUES, CONSIDERING SOME OF THE LOOM ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES GOING TO THE CONNECTORS AND SENSORS IS ENTIRELY DISINTEGRATED AND INSULATION IS BREAKING APART LEAVING BARE COPPER WIRES NEAR EACH OTHER OR NEAR METAL BRACKETS. NOW ENTERING THE WINTER TIME WITH INCREASED MOISTURE AND RAIN IT SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING THE VEHICLE MORE SUCH AS CAUSING UNWANTED OPERATION OF COMPONENTS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS LIKE THE EGR WHICH IS ONE OF THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS ON THE DEGRADING LOOM, JUST AS THE SAI AND THE ALTERNATOR POWER WIRES. THE SAI NO LONGER WORKS TO WARM UP MY CAR QUICKER AND THEREFORE THERE IS AN INCREASE OF EMISSIONS AT STARTUP. SOMETIMES THE CAR CHARGING SYSTEM FUNCTIONS VERY POORLY TO WHERE THE BATTERY IS NEARLY DISCHARGED AND EVERYTHING BARELY WORKS, OTHER DAYS WORKS FINE. MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THE IGNITION COIL AND WIRE CABLES ARE JUST NOW BEING AFFECTED AS WELL TO WHICH AT IDLE I HAVE INTERMITTENT MISFIRES SUCH AS AT A STOPLIGHT SOMETIMES TO WHERE THE CAR SEEMS IT WANTS TO STALL. I'M CONCERNED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR FREEWAY MERGING SPEEDS MY CAR WILL ENTIRELY FAIL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT.
NHTSA complaint #11282279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
P0022 CAMSHAFT BALANCER DEFECT, SUBJECT TO PRIOR CLASS ACTION, I AM HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM! WISH TO BECOME A PART OF THAT PRIOR SETTLED CLASS ACTION OR PURSUE MY OWN ACTION FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS
NHTSA complaint #11208976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING UPHILL IN HAWAII THE AND THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE UP THE HILL IT HAD NO POWER. THERE HAS BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THE CAMSHAFT WHICH MERCEDES LOST HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED MERCEDES TO HELP FIX THE ISSUE THEY SAID TIME HAS EXPIRED AND THIS WAS NO LONGER VALID.
NHTSA complaint #10958923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WELL, I HAVE A 1996 MECEDES BENZ C280 HAVIMG A VERY DIFFICULT TIME GET IT STARTING SO I'LL PUT IT IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR,AND THE MECHANIC SAID YOU'RE HAVE A VERY BAD IGNITION WIRING HARNESS,HE SAID CHECK AND SEE IF THEY HAVE RECALL ON THAT YEAR OF MECEDES BENZ OF THE YEARS,AND THEY DOSE,1994-1996 C280-E320 AND OTHERS.THE MECHANIC SAID IF YOU DRIVE THIS THIS VECHICLE IT MAY CAUGHT OF FIRE, IT MUST BE REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10934585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ C280. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRES AND INSTALLATION WERE ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A NEW WIRING HARNESS WAS INSTALLED AND A FEW SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #10850426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ USA INITIATED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN THAT AFFECTED APPROX. 1,064,723 VEHICLES. THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOID. MBUSA SENT THIS NOTICE TO ALL DEALERSHIPS, BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY THE VEHICLE OWNERS DIRECTLY. THEY APPARENTLY DID NOT DEEM THIS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL AND FELT NO OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMER. HOWEVER, WHEN THE SOLENOID MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE PART IT DOES IN FACT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE AND DRIVING ABILITY OF THE CAR. IF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN WHICH IS THE CASE HERE, IT DOES BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN. IT SEEMS THAT MBUSA KNOWINGLY WITHHELD THIS INFORMATION FROM THEIR CONSUMERS. DURING THE TIME OF THEIR CAMPAIGN MY VEHICLE WAS ALSO UNDER WARRANTY AS WELL. MBUSA HAD AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO NOTIFY THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THIS ISSUE TO HAVE IT CORRECTED. THEY NEVER ACTIVELY PROVIDED NOTICES TO CUSTOMERS DIRECTLY. DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE AFFECTED SOLENOID, MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPAIRED IN APRIL 2015. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN MARCH 2014. I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AT A COST OF $232.93. MBUSA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURE TO NOTIFY THE VEHICLE OWNERS OF THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IF NOT CORRECTED, AS WELL AS THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE ANY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES THAT WERE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE BULLETIN THAT MBUSA PROVIDED TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS, BUT AGAIN FAILED TO PROVIDE TO THE 1,064,723 CONSUMERS THAT WERE AFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10782915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE RPMS RACED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION SHAFT, SPRINGS, INTERNAL SPEED SENSOR, AND CAM SHAFT NEEDED TO BE RE-ADJUSTED TO THE CORRECT POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10781640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND MY CAR JERKS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM EVERYONE ELSE IS HAVING WITH THE 2006-2008 C280 MERCEDES BENZ.
NHTSA complaint #10763270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE CONSTRUCTED OF UNTREATED ALUMINUM. IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT SALT WILL REACT EASILY WITH ALUMINUM, EXTENSIVE CORROSION RESULTS. THE DRIVER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT SITS IN A POCKET IN THE FRAME, WHERE BRINE CAN LAY ON IT FOR PROLONGED PERIODS. OF NOTE, MANY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS ARE NOW USING A BRINE MIX, INCLUDING MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, THAT WILL REACT WITH MOISTURE IN THE AIR TO CONTINUE THE CORROSION PROCESS. A RECENT STUDY BY VOLKSWAGEN CONFIRMS THAT THIS ACCELERATES THE CORROSION PROCESS. IN APRIL OR MAY OF THIS YEAR, I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON MY CAR REPLACED. ONE FAILED COMPLETELY, THE OTHER WAS SEVERELY CRACKED AND NEARLY THE SAME WAY. THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE DRIVER SIDE MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY MISSING, APPARENTLY FROM CORROSION. WHAT WAS LEFT WAS WHITE POWDER. THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION. THE MECHANIC WHO WORKED ON MY CAR SAID THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND NOT THE FIRST HE HAD SEEN. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. A COMPLETE FAILURE OF MOTOR MOUNTS COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT, WITH WIRING AND OR FUEL LINES BEING SHEARED, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BREAKAGE WOULD BE LIKELY TO OCCUR UPON ACCELERATION (THINK ABOUT ENTERING AN INTERSECTION) OR WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH MERCEDES CORPORATE OFFICES. I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS NOT LOOKING FOR ANY KIND OF FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT. I AM NOT. I WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED. IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS NOW WITH NO RESPONSE. THIS SITUATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10749942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS APPROACHING AN EXIT AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS REVVING WITH RPM'S HIGH HOWEVER THERE WAS LITTLE POWER TO MOVE FORWARD. I PULLED THE CAR(COASTING) TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT UNABLE TO THINK WHAT ELSE TO DO. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE SAME RESULT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 4 TIMES.. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF I HAD BEEN ON A CONGESTED HIGHWAY WITH NO ACCELERATION AND NOWHERE TO PULL OFF THE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE SHAKES UPON STARTING IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSING ME TO BE UNAWARE OF A REAL PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING THIS CAR TO CHECK OUT WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING OFF AND ON TO BE INFORMED ITS ANNOYING BUT TO DEAL WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10748209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A "BUZZSAW" GRINDING SOUND THAT WAS NOT INITIALLY NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON AN 85 MILE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TRIP. WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A 6 LANE HIGHWAY, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING BEGAN TO DIM AND MALFUNCTION, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THEN COMPLETELY FAILED AND SHUT DOWN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL OUT, STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCTION BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE (INCLUDING COMPLETE STOPPAGE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DURING A HEAVY RAIN DOWNPOUR) SAFELY EXITED ROADWAY BY MANEUVERING AROUND TRAFFIC AND COASTING TO ROAD SIDE SHOULDER AT WHICH POINT SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD AND FILLING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND FIRE AS A SEVERELY DEGRADED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE HARNESS WIRING INSULATION WAS FOUND TO BE BRITTLE, CRACKING AND FALLING APART, LEAVING INDIVIDUAL BARE COPPER WIRES TO MAKE CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. THIS CONDITION CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH STARTED THE WIRES BURNING, FORCED THE ENGINE STARTER TO BE CONTINUALLY ENGAGED WHICH IN TURN, AFTER 80+ MILES OF DRIVING, CAUSED THE BATTERY TO COMPLETELY DRAIN ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN FAILURE OF ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10701852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.