NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Mercedes Benz 280 Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 280 right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 13 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 280.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Mercedes Benz 280 owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mercedes Benz 280, describing incidents dated January 1, 1996 to June 26, 2007.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 3 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Equipment 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint

Of the 13 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 13 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10203462 · Filed September 19, 2007
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS MERCEDES C280 1996 THREE YEARS AGO (2004) IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE IT. *JB
ODI #10195095 · Filed July 1, 2007
DURING A RECENT SERVICE OF MY VEHICLE AT AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSULATION COVERING MY WIRES WERE DECOMPOSING AND THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED TO THE ENGINE, HENCE CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE…
ODI #981194 · Filed March 25, 1996
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND CAR CONTINUES TO MOVE. *AK

Read all 13 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 280 right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 280. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

13 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 280.

Electrical System

ODI #10203462

Incident: July 1, 2004 · Filed: September 19, 2007

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS MERCEDES C280 1996 THREE YEARS AGO (2004) IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND IT IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE IT. *JB

Electrical System

ODI #10195095

Incident: June 26, 2007 · Filed: July 1, 2007

DURING A RECENT SERVICE OF MY VEHICLE AT AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSULATION COVERING MY WIRES WERE DECOMPOSING AND THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED TO THE ENGINE, HENCE CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES IF THE WIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A MATERIAL DEFECT. HE REVEALED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD OBSERVED THIS PROBLEM WITH 1996 280C- CLASS. SINCE THIS APPEARED TO BE A HABITUAL DEFECT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL; I ASKED IF A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED TO REPLACE THIS DECOMPOSING WIRE HARNESS. HE REPLIED "NO." I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE HARNESS REPLACED. IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS, @ MERCEDESHOP.COM SITE, HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 280C CLASS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #981194

Filed: March 25, 1996

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND CAR CONTINUES TO MOVE. *AK

Power Train

ODI #817824

Crash

Incident: October 15, 1997 · Filed: October 28, 1997

ON SLIGHT INCLINE, AFTER GEAR SHIFT WAS PUT INTO PARK, KEY REMOVED AND SHUT DOOR WHILE WALKING TOWARD HOUSE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL, HITTING TWO TREES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK *NLM

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #814343

Filed: July 17, 1997

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL START TO VIBRATE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #812335

Incident: February 28, 1997 · Filed: May 16, 1997

DRIVING VEHICLE; AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. HAD THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS REPLACED; TOOK TO DEALER WHO HAD REPAIRED PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Visibility

ODI #605203

Incident: May 1, 1996 · Filed: October 27, 1997

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID SENSOR FAILED.

Electrical System

ODI #603983

Incident: January 1, 1996 · Filed: September 18, 1997

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS HAS NUMEROUS FAILURES SINCE OWNER PURCHASED VEHICLE.

Equipment

ODI #603263

Incident: May 21, 1996 · Filed: April 28, 1997

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.

Tires

ODI #603190

Incident: December 30, 1996 · Filed: April 10, 1997

MICHELIN TIRE FAILED. (SIZE P195/65R15)

Check your 1996 Mercedes Benz 280 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz 280 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercedes Benz VIN