Mercedes Benz C280 1998

Model C280 made in 1998 by Mercedes Benz got 19 consumer complains there is 1 investigation as well as 4 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to communications, electrical system and equipment. Technical service bulletines regarding engine and engine cooling, service brakes, air and steering. The car had one investigation (engine and engine cooling).

Model 1998

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
03300804/24/2008SB-03-30-08E10022893Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit. mercedes-benz model c230, c280, c350, slk280, slk350, clk350, clk550, e350, e550, cls550, s600, and sl550. equipped with m272 engine or m273 engine. *nj10/03/2007
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK
PB-42-30-10301/13/200910028624Mercedes vehicle: the anti-lock brake system (abs) return flow pump running without control with corresponding fault code c1401, clean and insulated the connector for the return flow pump relay. models 202 and 208. model years unknown.05/12/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
PB-42-30-10301/13/200910028624Mercedes vehicle: the anti-lock brake system (abs) return flow pump running without control with corresponding fault code c1401, clean and insulated the connector for the return flow pump relay. models 202 and 208. model years unknown.05/12/2009
STEERING - RACK AND PINION
46204612/04/2008SB-46-20-46A10020460Play in the rack and pinion steering system. models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. mercedes benz. *kb updated 5/13/09. *pe10/23/2006

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
PE03058MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.12/17/200304/22/2004ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
 The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all mercedes-benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures are progressive in nature and only a small percentage of the complaints and warrant claims involved a failure that had progressed far enough to effect power steering performance (6 of 55 odi complaints reference increased steering effort).there have been no crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see summary report attached for further detail.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
COMMUNICATIONS - HORN ASSEMBLY
112/01/1998
 Horn did not work at all. yh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
 While driving headlights illuminated and flashed, and eventually battery went dead. very next day a recall notification was received. battery was replaced at consumer's expense.*ak
04/16/2001105/16/1998
 While husband was moving objects in trunk. touched battery and explode at his face, injuring parts on face and body.*ak the consumer suffered eye damage, nasal fracture and facial lacerations as the result of battey explosion. the vehicle had been repaired at the consumer's expense. *yh
03/25/2001103/01/1998
 While driving about 15 mph, consumer heard an explosion, pulled over and battery had shattered. dealer said it was an electrical short.*ak consumer stated had problems starting vehicle at times.*jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
 While driving headlights illuminated and flashed, and eventually battery went dead. very next day a recall notification was received. battery was replaced at consumer's expense.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
112/01/1997
 Ignition key malfunction. yh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
01/28/2000005/03/1997
 While driving an electrical light will come on at the dashboard, and the light has a design like a bulb, starting to check electric on the brakes. *ak
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
02/18/2002106/01/2001
 No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
05/26/2002110/01/2097
 Fuel hose (part no.a2084761526) abruptly burst when car was started, resulting in huge fuel leak (like a spigot), with fuel immediately pooling under the car and streaking away. if there had been a lit cigarette butt on the parking lot pavement we would have exploded, killing all 4 occupants as we were getting into the car. it would have wiped out three generations: two parents, one child and one surviving grandparent. this part has to be failsafe due to the potential for catastrophic loss of life. i have a 13-yr-old car that has never had breakage of a fuel hose like this. i urge a recall of this part so as to prevent future loss of life. this is not a case of normal wear and tear. this is a safety issue.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
112/18/1997
 Gas tank gauge failed. yh
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
 While waiting at a red light to make a left turn, vehicle suddenly accelerated after the consumer started to make the left turn and spinned 360 degree angle into another vehicle. driver attempted to apply brakes before hitting the other vehicle, but they did not respond. the dealer has been contacted. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
05/22/20051
 On may 22, 2005, the right front suspension coil spring popped out of vehicle from driving over rough road. information entered by state farm. on july 20, 2005, the left front suspension coil spring was damaged from driving over rough roads.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS
07/30/2007144000105/03/2005
 The following is a letter sent to mercedes whidh describes the issue. dear mercedes: i recently had an almost tragic incident in my mercedes. i was with my daughter who was driving my car, under her learners permit, along the highway on a clear, smooth, and dry pavement at 55 mph, the speed limit. the right front spring fell off the car. i am sure you can imagine the noise as the spring rumbled under our car. it scarred her, though she was able to maintain control of the vehicle. obviously, without the spring in place, the control of the car was seriously jeopardized. once she found a safe place to pull over, a motorcyclist pulled up along side to let me know what had happened. to that point, i had no idea. fortunately, the spring barely missed the cyclist as it bounced erratically down the road, or he could have been seriously injured. in speaking with my mercedes mechanic, as well as the dealers collision repair shop, i have learned that they have seen at least 15-20 such spring failures due to the flawed spring socket design. i do not believe mercedes would want to risk their reputation by continuing to have their vehicles on the road with such a dangerous design flaw. while i have appreciated the efforts, and friendly service, provided by judy sutton of r&h motorcars, ltd. in arranging the towing of my car and for mercedes to cover half the cost of the right front spring replacement, i feel mercedes should be taking a more proactive stance on the mechanical problem. therefore, i am asking mercedes to cover the full cost of the repair to both the right and the left spring sockets, and to recall the vehicles with this problem so their vehicles are not on the road presenting a hazard to themselves and to others. regards, samuel j. wornom, iii cc: nhtsa *tr
TIRES
110/01/1998
 While driving the vehilce, driver noticed a shimmy or vibration. the problem grew worse with further travel and escalated with increased speed. the vehicle was driven to a dealership, their technician identifed the problem was the tires, all four tires were worn down to the metal and needed to be replaced. the vehicle had less than 26,000 miles. the tire were manufactured by continental.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - LINKAGES
 While waiting at a red light to make a left turn, vehicle suddenly accelerated after the consumer started to make the left turn and spinned 360 degree angle into another vehicle. driver attempted to apply brakes before hitting the other vehicle, but they did not respond. the dealer has been contacted. *ak
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
02/18/2002106/01/2001
 No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
WHEELS
112/01/1998
 Poor plating on chrome wheels. yh