1997 MERCEDES-BENZ C280

0 recalls — 8 complaints — 17 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

8 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
AIR BAGS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 28, 2015
Incident date: Feb 28, 2015
INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS IS FAILING TO WHERE BARE WIRES SHOW AND ARE CONTACTING OTHER BARE WIRES SHORTING OUT THE SYSTEM. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Feb 28, 2015
Incident date: Feb 28, 2015
INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS IS FAILING TO WHERE BARE WIRES SHOW AND ARE CONTACTING OTHER BARE WIRES SHORTING OUT THE SYSTEM. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
AIR BAGS Sep 18, 2014
Incident date: Apr 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 22, 2009
Incident date: May 17, 2009
MERCEDES 1997 C280 SPORT WIRING HARNESS. *TR
STRUCTURE:BODY Jan 14, 2009
Incident date: Jan 8, 2009
1997 MERCEDES BENZ, MODEL C-280: TRUNK FRONT SPRING ANCHOR POINT (DRIVERS SIDE) BROKE FROM METAL FATIGUE WHEN THE TRUNK WAS OPENED. THE WELD POINT DID NOT BREAK. MERCEDES BENZ USA WAS NOTIFIED OF THE METAL FAILURE PROBLEM AND HAS DECLINED TO ACT OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AS THEY STATED "THIS IS DUE ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Sep 20, 2007
Incident date: Sep 17, 2007
1997 C-CLASS C280 SPORT MERCEDES-BENZ WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM CAUSING RANDOM ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 23, 2006
Incident date: Apr 16, 2005
WIRE HARNESS AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS ARE WELL KNOWN TO FAIL IN ALL W202 BODY STYLE MERCEDES MAF ARE NOT A LARGER PROBLEM DUE TO THEIR LOW REPAIR COST ON THE OTHER HAND ALL W202 HAVE TO HAVE THE WIRE HARNESS REPLACED IN UNDER 10 YEARS WHICH FOR $2000+ IS UNREASONABLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A CL... Read more
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Sep 24, 2003
INTERIOR WINDSHIELD FOGS ONCE CONSUMER EXIT THE VEHICLE. *MR THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WOULD GET WORSE IF THE DEFOGGER WAS TURNED ON AND WOULD NOT DEFROST WHEN THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP. (MODEL-C 28... Read more

EPA Fuel Economy — 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ C280

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) 18.0 24.0 20.0 Premium $4,100

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins — 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ C280

17 manufacturer communications from 10 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
014000 STEERING:RACK AND PINION1
014200 STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK1
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
046000 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK1
046100 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1
021000 SUSPENSION:FRONT1
021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT1
LI54.30-P-072145 Dec 10, 2020
117000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
LI54.30-P-072145 Dec 10, 2020
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
LI42.47-P-067502 Dec 9, 2020
030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
LI42.47-P-067502 Dec 9, 2020
251000 ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
LI27.50-P-071658 Sep 30, 2020
100000 POWER TRAIN
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
LI33 30-P-056665 Aug 5, 2019
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
LI33 30-P-056665 Aug 5, 2019
020000 SUSPENSION
Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
LI91 45-P-066075 Jul 23, 2018
150000 SEAT BELTS
Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
LI32.25-P-061137 Mar 24, 2015
022400 SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
LI32.25-P-061137 Mar 24, 2015
021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
LI32.25-P-061137 Mar 24, 2015
021000 SUSPENSION:FRONT
Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
LI82.85-P-055695 Jul 8, 2013
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30).
PB-42-30-103 Jan 13, 2009
046100 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MERCEDES VEHICLE: THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) RETURN FLOW PUMP RUNNING WITHOUT CONTROL WITH CORRESPONDING FAULT CODE C1401, CLEAN AND INSULATED THE CONNECTOR FOR THE RETURN FLOW PUMP RELAY. MODELS 202 AND 208. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN.
PB-42-30-103 Jan 13, 2009
046000 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
MERCEDES VEHICLE: THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) RETURN FLOW PUMP RUNNING WITHOUT CONTROL WITH CORRESPONDING FAULT CODE C1401, CLEAN AND INSULATED THE CONNECTOR FOR THE RETURN FLOW PUMP RELAY. MODELS 202 AND 208. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN.
462046 Dec 4, 2008
014000 STEERING:RACK AND PINION
PLAY IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. MODELS 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. MERCEDES BENZ. *KB UPDATED 5/13/09. *PE
462046 Dec 4, 2008
014200 STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
PLAY IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. MODELS 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. MERCEDES BENZ. *KB UPDATED 5/13/09. *PE
033008 Apr 24, 2008
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FAULT CODES FC1200 / FC1208 STORED IN ME-SFI CONTROL UNIT. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL C230, C280, C350, SLK280, SLK350, CLK350, CLK550, E350, E550, CLS550, S600, AND SL550. EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE OR M273 ENGINE. *NJ

MERCEDES-BENZ C280 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ C280 across all model years (2006–2007).

8 Total Recalls
233 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
13 Reported Crashes
20 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

MERCEDES-BENZ C280 — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2007 4 68 View
2006 4 40 View
2000 0 4 View
1999 0 45 View
1998 0 21 View
1997 (current) 0 8
1996 0 8 View
1995 0 25 View
1994 0 14 View

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