Mercedes Benz C CLASS electrical problems
67 complaint narratives mention electrical terms.
Key facts
172 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
80,694 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2006 model years. Data snapshot: . 126 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Electrical and battery issues evidence
67 of 172 complaints match this topic (39.0%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10129347 · 2005-07-19 (July 19, 2005)
THE WIRE HARNESS ON THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OF INSULATION. THE BARE WIRES ARE HANGING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR RUNS POORLY AND SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASH CONSTANTLY WHICH REQUIRES DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE DECIDES IT IS TOO COSTLY TO GET DIAGNOSIS DONE REGULARLY SO I JUST UNPLUG THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER. IN ADDITION TO THE FIRE HAZARD, ACCIDENT HAZARD, NOW I AM COVERING UP OTHER POSSIBLE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS BY DISREGARDING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASH. MERCEDES WILL NOT D…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140668 · 2005-10-24 (October 24, 2005)
I HAVE A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C280 VIN#[XXX] WITH ABOUT 84000 MILES ON IT AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MISFIRING, WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON RANDOMLY AND OTHER ELECTRICAL GREMLINS. I WAS CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD GETTING READY TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS TO TRY TO MAKE IT RUN BETTER, WHEN I NOTICED SOME BARE WIRES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS TO A CONNECTOR NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I REACHED DOWN TO REMOVE THE CONNECTOR AND WHEN I DID THERE WAS A POP, AND A PUFF OF SMOKE FROM THAT AREA. THE HARNESS GOT …
Owner-reported narrative. 83,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148813 · 2006-01-27 (January 27, 2006)
1994 C280 WAS BEING DRIVEN ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR REQUIRED TOWING TO THE MB DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $1500.00. MB IS NOT ONLY BRUSHING ASIDE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT, THEY ARE MAKING MONEY ON THE REPAIRS, WHAT A SCAM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153751 · 2006-03-26 (March 26, 2006)
MY C280 STARTED SURGING FROM IDLE AND IT IS REALLY HARD TO CONTROL ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC OR JUST MANEUVERING IN A PARKING AREAS. I HAVE NO TOTAL CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS DETERIORATING AND COOPER WIRES ARE EXPOSED CAUSING WRONG ENGINE SIGNAL FROM THE COMPUTER SENSORS. I AM BUT THE WIRING HARNESS IS SO EXPENSIVE, THIS MUST BE RULED AS A SAFETY RECALL, PLEASE HELP!*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10153751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184478 · 2007-03-07 (March 7, 2007)
I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION TO FILL UP, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A FEW WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF MY HEATER VENTS. OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW A MELTED WIRING HARNESS, AND FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED ME THAT THE RUBBER WAS FALLING OFF OF THE WIRES, DISINTEGRATED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184478 at NHTSA ↗