Mercedes Benz C280 Problems by Year
Mercedes Benz C280 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C280 year: 1999, 2007. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2007 C280: 56 complaints, 4 recalls
- 1999 C280: 34 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2006 C280: 29 complaints, 4 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1996 C280: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 C280: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 C280: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
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 C280 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 36 | 7 | 1 |
| Engine | 30 | 4 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 19 | 4 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| Power Train | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes Benz C280 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 C280 | 56 | 4 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2006 C280 | 29 | 4 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2000 C280 | 4 | 0 | — | Suspension | |
| 1999 C280 | 34 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 C280 | 15 | 0 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1997 C280 | 7 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1996 C280 | 4 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1995 C280 | 16 | 0 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
More from Mercedes Benz: all Mercedes Benz models · Mercedes Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes Benz C280 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1999 (34), 2007 (56) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C280 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 C280?
Electrical System, with 36 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz C280 have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.