Mercedes Benz 280 Problems by Year
Mercedes Benz 280 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 280 year: 1995, 1996. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 280: 47 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1996 280: 13 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 280: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes Benz 280 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 35 | 3 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Power Train | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Visibility | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Tires | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Mercedes Benz 280 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 280 | 6 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1999 280 | 3 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1998 280 | 3 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Other | |
| 1997 280 | 5 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1996 280 | 13 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 280 | 47 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Mercedes Benz: all Mercedes Benz models · Mercedes Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes Benz 280 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (47), 1996 (13) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 280 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes Benz 280?
Electrical System, with 35 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz 280 have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.