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1999 Mercedes-Benz C280Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 34 owner complaints about the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the C280 median · #2 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints344 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage48kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 31, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280 has problems

34 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling100
Suspension50
Exterior lighting52
Electrical system40
Fuel system, gasoline30
Steering30
Visibility20
Structure20
Power train10
5 other systems53

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1999 Mercedes-Benz C280 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other C280 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 C280 median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'06'07
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILUREPE03058 · closed Apr 22, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What C280 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010 OUR 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 SEDAN ENGINE STALLED/STOPPED RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. FORTUNATELY FOR US WE WERE NOT ON A FAST MOVING SURFACE STREET, A HIGHWAY OR A FREEWAY. THIS SITUATION, WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS/STOPS MAKES IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR AND STOP IT…
Complaint 10371212 · Dec 19, 2010 · 19,559 miles
MERCEDES-BENZ 1999 C280. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FELL APART WHILE AT A STOP SIGN NOT FAR FROM HOME, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME BEFORE COMPLETE BREAKDOWN. SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, NO FIRE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 25,284 MILES. *AK
Complaint 10196086 · Jul 11, 2007 · 25,282 miles
HARMONICA BALANCER ON 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 V6 2.8L ENGINE. I'VE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND STARTING THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *JB
Complaint 10144527 · Dec 5, 2005 · 40,000 miles

Own a 1999 C280?

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