NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Mercedes Benz C280 Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1999 Mercedes Benz C280 right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 34 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Mercedes Benz C280.

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1999 Mercedes Benz C280 owner complaints

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Mercedes Benz C280, describing incidents dated December 21, 1999 to July 30, 2015.

Most-cited components

Engine 10 complaints
Exterior Lighting 5 complaints
Suspension 5 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Steering 3 complaints

Of the 34 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 2 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10745183 · Filed July 31, 2015
ON JULY 30, 2015 AROUND 1900 HRS. I WAS LEAVING HOME GOING TO PICK UP MY KIDS FROM AROUND THE CORNER. I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT (RED). BEGIN TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN A LOUD BANG HAPPENED THEN SCRAPING. I GOT OUT THE CAR TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND OBSERVED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SAGGING. I RETRACED MY TRACKS…
ODI #10654856 · Filed November 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE UPPER SPRING PERCHES BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
ODI #10444011 · Filed January 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A BUMP AND A LOUD POPPING NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FALL TOWARDS THE GROUND AND TILT TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH CAUTION. THE…

Read all 34 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Mercedes Benz C280 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE03-058: ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
Closed April 22, 2004

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1999 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 1999 Mercedes Benz C280. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

34 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Mercedes Benz C280.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10745183

Incident: July 30, 2015 · Filed: July 31, 2015

ON JULY 30, 2015 AROUND 1900 HRS. I WAS LEAVING HOME GOING TO PICK UP MY KIDS FROM AROUND THE CORNER. I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT (RED). BEGIN TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN A LOUD BANG HAPPENED THEN SCRAPING. I GOT OUT THE CAR TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND OBSERVED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SAGGING. I RETRACED MY TRACKS ON FOOT AND LOCATED MY COIL SPRING. ONCE I GOT BACK HOME, I JACKED UP THE CAR AND NOTICED MY UPPER SPRING HOUSING ON MY PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN.

Suspension

ODI #10654856

Incident: November 13, 2014 · Filed: November 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE UPPER SPRING PERCHES BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Structure

ODI #10444011

Incident: December 9, 2011 · Filed: January 17, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A BUMP AND A LOUD POPPING NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FALL TOWARDS THE GROUND AND TILT TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DETECTED EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION WITHIN THE FRAME. A NEW SPRING PERCH AND BUSHING WILL NEED TO BE WELDED TO THE FRAME; THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10417946

Fire

Incident: June 21, 2000 · Filed: August 8, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES C280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURN OUT AND HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE BURNING OUT AND CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Suspension

ODI #10398676

Incident: May 2, 2011 · Filed: May 2, 2011

AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP IN OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX AT A SLOW SPEED, WE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THEN, AS WE WERE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WE HEARD A GRINDING OR DRAGGING NOISE. WHILE LOOKING UNDER THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TO SEE IF SOMETHING HAD COME LOOSE, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR DROPPED SUDDENLY AFTER ANOTHER LOUD POPPING NOISE. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE CAR SOME MORE I SAW THE SPRING WAS LAYING ON IT'S SIDE BEHIND THE WHEEL. I JACKED THE CAR UP AND REMOVED THE SPRING WHICH WAS JUST LYING THERE LOOSE AND SAW THE UPPER MOUNT/PERCH HAD A LOT OF RUST ON IT AND LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BENT UPWARD AND GAVE WAY, RELEASING THE SPRING. LUCKILY HAPPENED JUST OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT DOOR, BUT HAD JUST DRIVEN HOME FROM A TOWN 30 MINUTES AWAY ON I-75 AT 70 MPH! GLAD IT DIDN'T GIVE WAY THEN!!! I HAVE FOUND TONS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ONLINE SEARCHING "MERCEDES SPRING PERCH RUSTED". VERY COMMON PROBLEM, SHOULD BE RECALLED IN MY OPINION, OR AT THE VERY LEAST A MINIMAL CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER TO HAVE NEW MOUNT/PERCH REWELDED ON BOTH SIDES AT THE SAME TIME. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE RIGHT SIDE GIVES WAY I GUESS! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10371212

Incident: November 24, 2010 · Filed: December 19, 2010

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010 OUR 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 SEDAN ENGINE STALLED/STOPPED RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. FORTUNATELY FOR US WE WERE NOT ON A FAST MOVING SURFACE STREET, A HIGHWAY OR A FREEWAY. THIS SITUATION, WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS/STOPS MAKES IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR AND STOP IT SINCE THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING ARE DIFFICULT TO USE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. AFTER REFUELING THE CAR WE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 100FT WHEN, WITHOUT ANY DASH BOARD WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER INDICATIONS, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. WE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WOULD NOT START. WE CALLED AAA OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AT APPROXIMATELY 3:15PM, THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AT 3:55PM AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ASKED US TO ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR AND TO OUR SURPRISE THE ENGINE STARTED. WE DROVE TO SOUTH BAY MERCEDES BENZ, TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, WITH THE TOW TRUCK FOLLOWING US. WHILE THE WORK ORDER WAS BEING PREPARED, SERVICE BAY PERSONNEL ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO DO SO. AFTER ABOUT 35 MINUTES, ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFUL. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THE ENGINE STALLING/STOPPING IS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL DISASTER FOR US AND OTHER DRIVERS HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A HIGH TRAFFIC SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA TRAFFIC SAFETY ORGANIZATION. THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE MADE TO DETERMINE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE, REVIEW MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE REPORTS AND OTHER C280 OWNERS. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT SOUTH BAY MERCEDES, TORRANCE, CA, AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. THE ENGINE STALLING/STOPPING WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT TEMPERATURE SENSOR. THERE ARE NO REDUNDANCIES WHEN THIS PART FAILS. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10311066

Incident: December 10, 2009 · Filed: February 16, 2010

1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 DRIVERS SIDE SPRING PERCH RUSTED AND BROKE . CAUSING SPRING TO FLY OFF LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUSPENSION TO DROP . THE FRONT STEERING WOULD NO LONGER OPERATE BECAUSE WHEEL WAS TRAPPED IN WHEEL WELL. THE INCIDENT IMMEDIATELY DISABLED . CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR AND NEW SPRING , PERCH,AND PLASTIC BUSHING WERE PURCHASED. THE PERCH WAS WELDED TO THE FRAME ,NEW SPRING INSTALLED ALL AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TR

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10246491

Fire

Incident: December 1, 2004 · Filed: October 23, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS AND PLASTIC HOLDER MELTED SEVEN TIMES. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE PLASTIC HOLDER AND BULB UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

Exterior Lighting; Tires; Equipment

ODI #10237342

Incident: December 15, 2003 · Filed: August 7, 2008

SHORTAGE IN TAIL LAMPS AND MELTING OF BULBS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10196086

Incident: July 10, 2007 · Filed: July 11, 2007

MERCEDES-BENZ 1999 C280. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL APART WHILE AT A STOP SIGN NOT FAR FROM HOME, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME BEFORE COMPLETE BREAKDOWN. SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, NO FIRE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 25,284 MILES. *AK

Other Mercedes Benz C280 model years

Check your 1999 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.

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