1994 Mercedes Benz C280 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
Recalls: check by VIN
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1994 Mercedes Benz C280 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (8), Engine (4), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/25/2019 · Electrical system
I JUST BOUGHT THIS W202 94' C280 WITH 150K IN THE SPRING TIME WHICH SURPRISINGLY RAN FINE WITH NO ISSUES, CONSIDERING SOME OF THE LOOM ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES GOING TO THE CONNECTORS AND SENSORS IS ENTIRELY DISINTEGRATED AND INSULATION IS BREAKING APART LEAVING BARE COPPER WIRES NEAR EACH OTHER OR NEAR METAL BRACKETS. NOW ENTERING THE WINTER TIME WITH INCRE…
05/17/2018 · Electrical system
ELECTRICAL HARNESS DISINTEGRATED, AND UPPER OLD SEAL IS INFERIOR AND HAS LEAKED SINCE 1995 VIN NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
03/18/2016 · Engine · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ C280. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRES AND INSTALLATION WERE ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A NEW WIRING HARNESS WAS INSTALLED AND A FEW SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHI…
10/01/2015 · Electrical system
ENGIN WIRING HARNESS COUGHT FIRE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE ..
03/26/2015 · Electrical system · fire
ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A "BUZZSAW" GRINDING SOUND THAT WAS NOT INITIALLY NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON AN 85 MILE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TRIP. WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A 6 LANE HIGHWAY, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING BEGAN TO DIM AND MALFUNCTION, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THEN COMPLETELY FAILED AND SHUT DOWN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL OUT, STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCT…
12/29/2014 · Electrical system
THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CAR SHOOK AND DIED. I WAS ON I-75 IN ATLANTA, GA. THE SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, SOMETHING THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF. I WAS ALMOST KILLED. *TR
08/24/2014 · Electrical system · fire
THE AIR INTAKE SENSOR WIRE WENT ON FIRE DUE TO CORRODED INSULATION ON WIRES. *TR
12/02/2013 · Electrical system · fire
ON MY WAY HOME, MY WIFE CAR START TO RUN ROUGHTLY AND SEE SMOKE COMING FROM MOTOR HOOD, LOOK FOR A PLACE TO STOP SAFELY AND OPEN THE HOOD, FIRE WAS ALL OVER, WIRES HARNESS WAS BURNING AND OTHER INSULATE MATERIALS, I GET FROM MY TRUNK THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SPRAY ON THE FIRE, LUCKELY I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE CAR. I KNOW MANY CARS OF THAT YEAR HAVE THE SAME…