Model year record
1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class recalls & problems
The 1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (1 complaint).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
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* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline | 1 | — |
| SuspensionFront | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Vehicle speed controlFire
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR BEGAN BACKFIRING AND SPEED DROPPED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BEGAN TO BACKFIRE MORE. TEMP WENT UP AND CAR STARTED SMOKING. PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON CAR AND IT NEVER RESTARTED AGAIN. CONTACTED MB ASSIST AND WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A JUMP WITH THICK GAUGE CABLES AND THEY COULD SEND A TECH BUT THE CHARGES WOULD BE AT MINIMUM $100. ITS BEEN OVER A WEEK AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE PUT BATTERIES IN FOB (THEY NEVER HAD ANY BEFORE) , CHARGED CAR BATTERY , CHECKED ALL FUSES, JUMPED CAR BATTERY AND NOW AM BEING GIVEN A P1570 IMMOBILIZER CODE . THE CAR ALARM HAS NEVER BEEN ACTIVATED. .…
- Suspension › Front
MY MERCEDES 1997 C-280, PURCHASED FROM THE MERCEDES DEALER, HAS EXHIBITED SEVERAL INHERENT DESIGN ISSUES. THE ISSUE THAT IS THE GREATEST SAFETY ISSUE IS THE CONSTANT DETERIORATION/DESTRUCTION UNDER NORMAL USE OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, EVERY 50,000 MILES OR SO, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY MODERN CAR. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A CAR AT THAT FREQUENCY (AT $1000/ REPAIR), AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL FAIL. MOST PEOPLE EVENTUALLY GIVE UP. WHEN THESE BUSHINGS SUDDENLY FAIL, THE STEERING AND BRAKING ARE AFFECTED. IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICED IN SHARP TURNING SITUATIONS, SUCH AS PARKING AND EMERGENCY ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS. PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING IS LOST AND WHEN…
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABRUPTLY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AFTER 80000 MILES. *AK *TS
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.