Model year record
1997 Mercedes-Benz 280 recalls & problems
The 1997 Mercedes-Benz 280 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 5 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (2 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz 280.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power trainAutomatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl); Automatic transmission | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer | 1 | — |
| Child seat | 1 | — |
| SteeringLinkages | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Child seat
THE MERCEDES BENZ 280 CAN NOT HAVE A CHILD CAR SEAT TETHER INSTALLED. THE TETHERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SOLD WITH CAR SEATS AFTER SEPT 99, BUT MERCEDED WILL NOT INSTALL THESE. IN CANADA, THE TETHER ATTACHMENTS ARE FACTORY INSTALLED OR THERE IS A RETROFIT KIT BECAUSE CARS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THESE ATTACHMENTS. TOYOTA, GM, AND OTHERS ALL INSTALL AFTER-MARKET TETHER KITS AT NO CHARGE. MERCEDES WILL NOT. PLEASE HELP. ALL CARS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THIS ATTACHMENT FACTOR-INSTALLED BY YEAR 2002. IN THE MEANTIME, THE CAR SEATS TELL YOU TO INSTALL THE ATTACHMENT AFTER MARKET.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONSTANTLY BANG WHEN IN USE. MERCEDES CAN'T FIX. ON 2 OCCASIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FROZE AND SO DID THE FLUID. *AK
- Steering › Linkages
LINKAGE BUSHINGS FAILED. YH
- Power train › Automatic transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
- Vehicle speed controlCrash
WHILE IN REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE ABOUT 20 MPH, CAUSING $3200 DAMAGES ON THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.