Model year record
The 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 1 safety recall and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (6 complaints).
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.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Front underhood | 6 | 82,000 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline | 2 | — |
| Equipment | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
1996 MERCEDES C220; ELECTRICAL HARNESS PROBLEMS; ENGINE WILL TURN OVER BUT WILL NOT START; SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL START AND RUN, THEN WILL CUT OFF WHEN SLOWING UP AT A STOP OR WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. SEVERAL MECHANICS SAY THAT THE MERCEDES COMPANY ALLOWED INFERIOR WIRING TO BE USED BUT WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED OR DEALERS SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING MOMENTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V058000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,293.
THE CAR NOT RUN THE WIRING OF COMPUTER TO FUEL INJECTION IS FAILS. *TR
HESITATION/ NO RESPONSE FROM ENGINE. SIGNAL LIGHTS/ EMERGENCY FLASHERS NOT WORKING AT TIMES. THIS PROBLEM PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK SINCE IT WAS IN A INTERSECTION. *JB
I OWN A C 280 (96) [XXX] CAR STARTED CONSUMING MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, WAS HARDER TO START, STARTED MISSING AND DROVE SLUGGISH. I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES. BUT IT GOT WORSE, AND THEN QUIT, AS IF IT WAS OUT OF TIME. I SEND IT TO AN IMPORTED CAR SERVICE SHOP IN DALTON, GA. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MERCEDES BENZ BENZ. THE WIRING HARNESS UNDERHOOD (INSULATION ON THE WIRING) CRUMBLED TO PIECES, LIKE DUST AND SHORTED RELAYS AND ALL THE CAR. I PAID OVER $2600.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I STILL HAVE THE OLD HARNESS AS EVIDENCE THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE Y COULD LEAD TO A WORSE PROBLEM, LIKE FIRE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE HAS REPAIRED SEVERAL C-280 WITH THE…
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON HIGHWAY, ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ON DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS HAD HAPPENED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT HAD CAUSED STALLING.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON FREQUENTLY.*SLC ALSO THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. *YD
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.