1998 MERCEDES-BENZ C280

0 recalls — 21 complaints — 17 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

21 total complaints 2 crashes 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
TIRES2
SUSPENSION2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN1
WHEELS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
SUSPENSION Dec 3, 2015
Incident date: Nov 25, 2015
WITHOUT ANY WARNING ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AROUND THE CORNER CAR JUST MADE A VERY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE FRONT. CAR CAME DOWN ON DRIVER SIDE VERY CLOSE TO TIRE. WHEN I EXISTED THE VEHICLE IS WHEN I REALIZED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SUSPENSION WAS ON THE GROUND COMPLET... Read more
SUSPENSION Jan 7, 2014
Incident date: May 11, 2013
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, THE SPRING PERCH SUPPORTING THE LEFT, FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. INSTANTLY, THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION TOTALLY COLLAPSED LEAVING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WITHOUT ANY SUSPENSION OR WHEEL CLEARANCE INSIDE THE FENDER. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER TO NE... Read more
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS Aug 6, 2007
Incident date: Jul 30, 2007
THE FOLLOWING IS A LETTER SENT TO MERCEDES WHIDH DESCRIBES THE ISSUE. DEAR MERCEDES: I RECENTLY HAD AN ALMOST TRAGIC INCIDENT IN MY MERCEDES. I WAS WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING MY CAR, UNDER HER LEARNERS PERMIT, ALONG THE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR, SMOOTH, AND DRY PAVEMENT AT 55 MPH, THE SPEED LIM... Read more
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM Oct 14, 2005
Incident date: May 22, 2005
ON MAY 22, 2005, THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING POPPED OUT OF VEHICLE FROM DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROAD. INFORMATION ENTERED BY STATE FARM. ON JULY 20, 2005, THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING WAS DAMAGED FROM DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROADS.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Jun 25, 2002
Incident date: May 26, 2002
FUEL HOSE (PART NO.A2084761526) ABRUPTLY BURST WHEN CAR WAS STARTED, RESULTING IN HUGE FUEL LEAK (LIKE A SPIGOT), WITH FUEL IMMEDIATELY POOLING UNDER THE CAR AND STREAKING AWAY. IF THERE HAD BEEN A LIT CIGARETTE BUTT ON THE PARKING LOT PAVEMENT WE WOULD HAVE EXPLODED, KILLING ALL 4 OCCUPANTS AS WE W... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS Mar 21, 2002
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED, AND EVENTUALLY BATTERY WENT DEAD. VERY NEXT DAY A RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Mar 21, 2002
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED, AND EVENTUALLY BATTERY WENT DEAD. VERY NEXT DAY A RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER Mar 1, 2002
Incident date: Feb 18, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Mar 1, 2002
Incident date: Feb 18, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY May 4, 2001
Incident date: Apr 16, 2001
WHILE HUSBAND WAS MOVING OBJECTS IN TRUNK. TOUCHED BATTERY AND EXPLODE AT HIS FACE, INJURING PARTS ON FACE AND BODY.*AK THE CONSUMER SUFFERED EYE DAMAGE, NASAL FRACTURE AND FACIAL LACERATIONS AS THE RESULT OF BATTEY EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *YH
1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Mar 27, 2001
Incident date: Mar 25, 2001
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH, CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSION, PULLED OVER AND BATTERY HAD SHATTERED. DEALER SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.*AK CONSUMER STATED HAD PROBLEMS STARTING VEHICLE AT TIMES.*JB
TIRES Dec 19, 2000
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHILCE, DRIVER NOTICED A SHIMMY OR VIBRATION. THE PROBLEM GREW WORSE WITH FURTHER TRAVEL AND ESCALATED WITH INCREASED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP, THEIR TECHNICIAN IDENTIFED THE PROBLEM WAS THE TIRES, ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN DOWN TO THE METAL AND NEEDED TO BE RE... Read more
TIRES Dec 5, 2000
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHILCE, DRIVER NOTICED A SHIMMY OR VIBRATION. THE PROBLEM GREW WORSE WITH FURTHER TRAVEL AND ESCALATED WITH INCREASED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP, THEIR TECHNICIAN IDENTIFED THE PROBLEM WAS THE TIRES, ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN DOWN TO THE METAL AND NEEDED TO BE RE... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Mar 22, 2000
IGNITION KEY MALFUNCTION. YH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Mar 22, 2000
GAS TANK GAUGE FAILED. YH
WHEELS Mar 22, 2000
POOR PLATING ON CHROME WHEELS. YH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Mar 22, 2000
HORN DID NOT WORK AT ALL. YH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Mar 22, 2000
IGNITION KEY MALFUNCTION. YH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Feb 1, 2000
Incident date: Jan 28, 2000
WHILE DRIVING AN ELECTRICAL LIGHT WILL COME ON AT THE DASHBOARD, AND THE LIGHT HAS A DESIGN LIKE A BULB, STARTING TO CHECK ELECTRIC ON THE BRAKES. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Oct 5, 1999
WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER THE CONSUMER STARTED TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN AND SPINNED 360 DEGREE ANGLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES BEFORE HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE, BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTAC... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Oct 5, 1999
WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER THE CONSUMER STARTED TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN AND SPINNED 360 DEGREE ANGLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES BEFORE HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE, BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTAC... Read more
Crash

EPA Fuel Economy — 1998 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 25.0 21.0 Premium $3,900

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 — 1998 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 (current) 0 21
1997 0 8 View
1996 0 8 View
1995 0 25 View
1994 0 14 View

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