1997 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
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (4), Lights (1), Airbags (1), Body / structure (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
02/28/2015 · Electrical system
INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS IS FAILING TO WHERE BARE WIRES SHOW AND ARE CONTACTING OTHER BARE WIRES SHORTING OUT THE SYSTEM. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
09/18/2014 · Airbags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
08/22/2009 · Electrical system
MERCEDES 1997 C280 SPORT WIRING HARNESS. *TR
01/14/2009 · Body / structure
1997 MERCEDES BENZ, MODEL C-280: TRUNK FRONT SPRING ANCHOR POINT (DRIVERS SIDE) BROKE FROM METAL FATIGUE WHEN THE TRUNK WAS OPENED. THE WELD POINT DID NOT BREAK. MERCEDES BENZ USA WAS NOTIFIED OF THE METAL FAILURE PROBLEM AND HAS DECLINED TO ACT OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AS THEY STATED "THIS IS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE". THIS PART IS NOT ONE TO BE REP…
09/20/2007 · Electrical system
1997 C-CLASS C280 SPORT MERCEDES-BENZ WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM CAUSING RANDOM ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *JB
08/23/2006 · Electrical system
WIRE HARNESS AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS ARE WELL KNOWN TO FAIL IN ALL W202 BODY STYLE MERCEDES MAF ARE NOT A LARGER PROBLEM DUE TO THEIR LOW REPAIR COST ON THE OTHER HAND ALL W202 HAVE TO HAVE THE WIRE HARNESS REPLACED IN UNDER 10 YEARS WHICH FOR $2000+ IS UNREASONABLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A CLEAR PROBLEM IN ALL SUCH VEHICLES. *JB
09/04/2003 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
INTERIOR WINDSHIELD FOGS ONCE CONSUMER EXIT THE VEHICLE. *MR THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WOULD GET WORSE IF THE DEFOGGER WAS TURNED ON AND WOULD NOT DEFROST WHEN THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP. (MODEL-C 280) *SCC *JB