Mercedes Benz C280 engine problems
17 complaint narratives mention engine terms.
Key facts
170 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
96,957 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2007 model years. Data snapshot: . 103 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Engine operation evidence
17 of 170 complaints match this topic (10.0%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10487452 · 2012-12-05 (December 5, 2012)
CAR STARTED STALLING AND TRANSMISSION REFUSED TO UPSHIFT. WHEN CAR SLOWED IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AGAIN. TURNS OUT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILED DUE TO A BIODEGRADABLE TYPE OF INSULATION USED AND IS SHORTING OUT IN MULTIPLE PLACES. CAR STARTED TO SMOKE AT ONE POINT. THIS CAUSED DANGEROUS ENGINE MALFUNCTION--AND A FIRE-COULD HAVE BEEN STARTED INSIDE MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 96,957 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10701852 · 2015-03-26 (March 26, 2015)
ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A "BUZZSAW" GRINDING SOUND THAT WAS NOT INITIALLY NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON AN 85 MILE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TRIP. WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A 6 LANE HIGHWAY, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING BEGAN TO DIM AND MALFUNCTION, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THEN COMPLETELY FAILED AND SHUT DOWN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL OUT, STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCTION BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE (INCLUDING COMPLETE STOPPAGE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DURING A HEAVY RAIN DOWNPOUR) SAFELY EXITED ROADWAY BY MANEUVERING AROUND TRAFFIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,928 miles reported. Look up ODI 10701852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11282279 · 2019-11-25 (November 25, 2019)
I JUST BOUGHT THIS W202 94' C280 WITH 150K IN THE SPRING TIME WHICH SURPRISINGLY RAN FINE WITH NO ISSUES, CONSIDERING SOME OF THE LOOM ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES GOING TO THE CONNECTORS AND SENSORS IS ENTIRELY DISINTEGRATED AND INSULATION IS BREAKING APART LEAVING BARE COPPER WIRES NEAR EACH OTHER OR NEAR METAL BRACKETS. NOW ENTERING THE WINTER TIME WITH INCREASED MOISTURE AND RAIN IT SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING THE VEHICLE MORE SUCH AS CAUSING UNWANTED OPERATION OF COMPONENTS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS LIKE THE EGR WHICH IS ONE OF THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS ON THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11282279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10533382 · 2013-08-03 (August 3, 2013)
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. AFTER HAVING A MECHANIC CHECK IT, HE SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE WIRING HARNESS BECAUSE THE INSULATION IN THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WAS CRUMBLING AND FLAKING CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. HE SAID IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT COULD STALL AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10985647 · 2017-05-14 (May 14, 2017)
VEHICLE STALL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY . IT TOOK TEN MINUTES TO START. NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. VERY DANGEROUS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10985647 at NHTSA ↗