no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE POWER FROM THE BATTERY, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE…
1996 Mercedes-Benz C ClassProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C Class, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 3, 2011. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C Class has problems
6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
5Electrical system
2Engine and engine cooling
1Equipment
1Fuel system, gasoline
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1996 Mercedes-Benz C Class recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Best & worst years
1996 vs. every other C Class year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C Class median. How we score
'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'08'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What C Class owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
Own a 1996 C Class?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.