Model year record
1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 recalls & problems
The 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 4 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280.
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.
Fuel economy
C280
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
| Unknown or other | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Air bags
My 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 is leaking Oil and Radiator Cap(Expansion Trank Cap Replacement Cooling system Flush Thermostat Replacement because my Antifreeze Coolant is running out on me faster than ever,Module is year Affected and it needs a Value job and it needs a Head Gasket.
- Electrical systemFire
MY NEIGHBOR WOKE ME UP TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK AND SO I GOT THE WATERHOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING WATER IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP OR PUT OUT THE FIRE SO I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HAD TO SPRAY SOME CHEMICALS ALL OVER IN THE CAR TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AND CUT THE WIRE TO THE BATTERY CAUSE THE WHOLE CAR WAS ON FIRE THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T PUT IT OUT WITH WATER. MY CAR WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE MOBILE HOME ESTATE PARKING LOT OVER NIGHT AND IN THE MORNING I WOKE UP TO MY CAR BURNED ALL INSIDE BY THE TIME IT WAS ALL DONE MY CAR IS TOTALY RUINED AND SO IS EVERYTHING INSIDE OF IT. THE WINDOW…
- Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 259,000.
- Electrical system
WELL, I HAVE A 1996 MECEDES BENZ C280 HAVIMG A VERY DIFFICULT TIME GET IT STARTING SO I'LL PUT IT IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR,AND THE MECHANIC SAID YOU'RE HAVE A VERY BAD IGNITION WIRING HARNESS,HE SAID CHECK AND SEE IF THEY HAVE RECALL ON THAT YEAR OF MECEDES BENZ OF THE YEARS,AND THEY DOSE,1994-1996 C280-E320 AND OTHERS.THE MECHANIC SAID IF YOU DRIVE THIS THIS VECHICLE IT MAY CAUGHT OF FIRE, IT MUST BE REPLACE.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.