NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Mercedes Benz C280 Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Mercedes Benz C280 right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 4 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Mercedes Benz C280.

1996 Mercedes Benz C280 owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mercedes Benz C280, describing incidents dated September 10, 2013 to May 17, 2021.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 3 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Of the 4 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11417404 · Filed May 17, 2021
My 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 is leaking Oil and Radiator Cap(Expansion Trank Cap Replacement Cooling system Flush Thermostat Replacement because my Antifreeze Coolant is running out on me faster than ever,Module is year Affected and it needs a Value job and it needs a Head Gasket.
ODI #11344101 · Filed August 8, 2020
MY NEIGHBOR WOKE ME UP TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK AND SO I GOT THE WATERHOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING WATER IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP OR PUT OUT THE FIRE SO I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HAD TO SPRAY SOME CHEMICALS ALL OVER IN THE CAR TO PUT…
ODI #10936178 · Filed December 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

Read all 4 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Mercedes Benz C280 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 C280. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mercedes Benz C280.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11417404

Incident: May 17, 2021 · Filed: May 17, 2021

My 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 is leaking Oil and Radiator Cap(Expansion Trank Cap Replacement Cooling system Flush Thermostat Replacement because my Antifreeze Coolant is running out on me faster than ever,Module is year Affected and it needs a Value job and it needs a Head Gasket.

Electrical System; Wheels; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11344101

Fire

Incident: July 25, 2020 · Filed: August 8, 2020

MY NEIGHBOR WOKE ME UP TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK AND SO I GOT THE WATERHOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING WATER IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP OR PUT OUT THE FIRE SO I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HAD TO SPRAY SOME CHEMICALS ALL OVER IN THE CAR TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AND CUT THE WIRE TO THE BATTERY CAUSE THE WHOLE CAR WAS ON FIRE THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T PUT IT OUT WITH WATER. MY CAR WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE MOBILE HOME ESTATE PARKING LOT OVER NIGHT AND IN THE MORNING I WOKE UP TO MY CAR BURNED ALL INSIDE BY THE TIME IT WAS ALL DONE MY CAR IS TOTALY RUINED AND SO IS EVERYTHING INSIDE OF IT. THE WINDOW SHATTERED FROM GETTING SO HOT AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT . WHY WASN'T THIS CAR RECALLED AND FIXED IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THEM CATCHING ON FIRE? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THE CAR SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED THERE MUST BE SOME DEFECT WITH THE WIRING OR WIRE HARNESS. HOW DOES A PARKED CAR CATCH ON FIRE LIKE THIS WHEN ITS NOT EVEN RUNNING. THAT'S DEFINETLY DANGEROUS AND I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY MERCEDES FOR A CAR THE SAME OR BETTER FOR THEIR FAILURE TO NOTIFY ME OF ANY SAFETY RECALL ON THE VEHICLE.

Electrical System

ODI #10936178

Incident: November 15, 2016 · Filed: December 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 259,000.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10934585

Incident: September 10, 2013 · Filed: December 12, 2016

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.

Other Mercedes Benz C280 model years

Check your 1996 Mercedes Benz C280 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz C280 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercedes Benz VIN