1999 Mercedes Benz C280 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
76,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 34 complaints (14.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 20.6% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 11.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 8.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Suspension: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 5
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 3; 2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10016864 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY OF MY 1999 MERCEDES C280 BROKE. THE BATTERY CHARGE LIGHT CAME UP AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE MY STEERING BECAME STIFF. MY CAR JUST HAS 49K MILES AND I JUST USE IT AS A COMMUTE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 96V058000
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024586 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVEBELT CRACKED AND CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING FAILURE OF POWER STEERING/ ALTERNATOR, AND THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024586 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099153 · 2004-11-01 (November 1, 2004)
A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO SO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10099153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10371212 · 2010-12-19 (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 RU…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,559 miles reported. Look up ODI 10371212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10076031 · 2004-06-08 (June 8, 2004)
EXPLOSION OF MERCEDES-BENZ BATTERY IN VEHICLE.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FROM THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BATTERY THE YEAR BEFORE. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10076031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860082 · 2000-04-11 (April 11, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND THE BRAKING WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, CAUSING A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016095 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
THE VEHICLES FUEL TANK FILLER FAILED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FILL THE TANK WITH GAS. THE GAS CAME BACK OUT THE FILLER CAP ALTHOUGH THE TANK DIDN'T HAVE A HALF A TANK OF GAS. *NLM SOMETIMES THE ENGINE DIDN'T TURN OVER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS POOR ON GAS. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 745608 · 2001-05-21 (May 21, 2001)
ON MAY 7 MY WIFE AND I TOOK A TRIP TO VISIT HER PARENTS GRAVES AND TO ENJOY A RELAXING DAY IN THE COUNTRY. AFTER FINDING THE RURAL CEMETARY AND PAYING OUR RESPECTS WE SAT DOWN FOR A LITTLE PICNIC AT THE CEMETARY. AS WE TIDIED UP WHEN FINISHED, WE BEGAN TO PUT OUR STUFF INTO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR, WHICH WE HAD LEFT OPEN WHILE WE PICNICKED. AS MY WIFE BEGAN TO PUT THE PICNIC BLANKET INTO THE TRUNK, THERE WAS A SMALL EXPLOSION. IT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A PUFF OR SO OF SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF SOMETHING THAT HAD BURNED. WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125653 · 2005-06-17 (June 17, 2005)
A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS ACCUMULATING BELOW THE DRIVER FLOOR. THIS LEAK FILLED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH FLUID AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THIS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE SHIFTER AND THE REVERSE BACKUP SOLENOID IN SHIFTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MERCEDES SERVICE MANAGER MADE IT CLEAR THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I SHOULD GET THE PART REPLACED. THE SAFETY CONCERN WAS THAT IF THE SHIFTER WAS MOVED TO REVERSED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE PLACED IN REVERSE. I NEVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125653 at NHTSA ↗