Mercedes Benz C Class 1997

Model C Class made in 1997 by Mercedes Benz got 14 consumer complains as well as 4 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding equipment and fuel system, gasoline.

C class year 1997

Technical Service Bulletins
Consumer Complaints

Model 1997

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
02/972	02/07/1997	52331	Incompatibility between the acc pushbutton module and newly introduced refrigerant pressure sensor causing the ec lamp to illuminate. *tw	07/24/1997
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - MOUNTING
PB-61-10-07	09/17/2008	10028147	Mercedes: replacing the longitudinal member (left and right) below the main floor panel on all my 204 up to 12/31/07. (c300, c350, c300 4-matic, c63 ame). *pe	03/05/2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - MOUNTING
PB-61-10-07	09/17/2008	10028147	Mercedes: replacing the longitudinal member (left and right) below the main floor panel on all my 204 up to 12/31/07. (c300, c350, c300 4-matic, c63 ame). *pe	03/05/2009
TIRES
PSIMBNA4020M	06/01/1998	601449	Updated information to reflect additon of approved tires. *yc	08/04/1998

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
05/04/2012	249800
	Was driving vehicle down the highway travelling at normal speeds. all of a sudden car began backfiring and speed dropped from 65 mph to 30 mph. the car would not accelerate and began to backfire more. temp went up and car started smoking. pulled over to check on car and it never restarted again. contacted mb assist and was told i would need a jump with thick gauge cables and they could send a tech but the charges would be at minimum $100. its been over a week and the car will not start. i've put batteries in fob (they never had any before) , charged car battery , checked all fuses, jumped car battery and now am being given a p1570 immobiliser code . the car alarm has never been activated. . this car is making absolute no sense with the errors and no explanation as to why it nearly caught fire and wont start now...
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
	80000
	While driving vehicle abruptly shuts down without warning, causing vehicle to lose all power. dealer cannot identify the cause. transmission locked up after 80000 miles. ak ts
OPULSION SYSTEM (PWS)
05/04/2012	249800
	Was driving vehicle down the highway travelling at normal speeds. all of a sudden car began backfiring and speed dropped from 65 mph to 30 mph. the car would not accelerate and began to backfire more. temp went up and car started smoking. pulled over to check on car and it never restarted again. contacted mb assist and was told i would need a jump with thick gauge cables and they could send a tech but the charges would be at minimum $100. its been over a week and the car will not start. i've put batteries in fob (they never had any before) , charged car battery , checked all fuses, jumped car battery and now am being given a p1570 immobiliser code . the car alarm has never been activated. . this car is making absolute no sense with the errors and no explanation as to why it nearly caught fire and wont start now...
SUSPENSION - FRONT
02/08/2010	144431	1
	My mercedes 1997 c-280, purchased from the mercedes dealer, has exhibited several inherent design issues. the issue that is the greatest safety issue is the constant deterioration/destruction under normal use of the upper control arm bushings, every 50,000 miles or so, which is not normal for any modern car. it is almost impossible to maintain a car at that frequency (at $1000/ repair), and you never know when it will fail. most people eventually give up. when these bushings suddenly fail, the steering and braking are affected. it is especially noticed in sharp turning situations, such as parking and emergency accident avoidance maneuvers. partial control of the steering is lost and when the antilock brakes are applied it becomes severely erratic. i have contacted the dealer and mercedes benz usa and both have denied any responsibility for what must be either a design flaw in their product or something wrong with the car that i have, purchased used as a 'star mark' car from the dealer. they fixed the problem once under warranty, and then it failed about 50,000 miles later. the problem is exacerbated when it is raining. today i lost control of the car in the rain at 45mph when i encountered a seam in the pavement, tried to correct and applied the abs brakes. three was no collision or injuries, luckily, but it is time that mercedes took responsibility for a problem that they created and fix it properly. it is important to note that i have asked for a permanent fix and they don't have one, and seem to be aware of an inherent design problem in these cars. also, if it had failed on a steep mountain road such as our local hwy 154, with no railing, it could have been a fatal accident and involved other cars. *tr
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
05/04/2012	249800
	Was driving vehicle down the highway travelling at normal speeds. all of a sudden car began backfiring and speed dropped from 65 mph to 30 mph. the car would not accelerate and began to backfire more. temp went up and car started smoking. pulled over to check on car and it never restarted again. contacted mb assist and was told i would need a jump with thick gauge cables and they could send a tech but the charges would be at minimum $100. its been over a week and the car will not start. i've put batteries in fob (they never had any before) , charged car battery , checked all fuses, jumped car battery and now am being given a p1570 immobiliser code . the car alarm has never been activated. . this car is making absolute no sense with the errors and no explanation as to why it nearly caught fire and wont start now...