1996 Mercedes-Benz 280 Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (23% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and brakes (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 23%
- Air bags2 15%
- Brakes1 7.7%
- Engine cooling1 7.7%
- Equipment1 7.7%
- Other or unknown1 7.7%
- Seat belts1 7.7%
- Suspension1 7.7%
- Tires1 7.7%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “During a recent service of my vehicle at an authorized mercedes benz service center, I was informed that the insulation covering my wires were decomposing and the wires were exposed to the engine, hence creating a safety hazard for me and my family. Due to the severity of the problem, and the possible consequences if the wires caught on fire. The mechanic said it was a material defect. He revealed that this was not the first time he had observed this problem with 1996 280c- class. …”
NHTSA complaint #10195095, filed 2007-07, 90,000 milesAir bags: “Driving vehicle; air bag light keeps coming on. Had the seat belts and air bags replaced; took to dealer who had repaired problem temporarily, but problem still exists.”
NHTSA complaint #812335, filed 1997-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 280
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 | 5,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 13 | 90,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 47 | 125,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 18 | 110,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
All Mercedes-Benz 280 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280 have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (23% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.
Has the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 280 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 90,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.