1994 Mercedes-Benz C220 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 71%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 154,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 1994 Mercedes-Benz C220, 71% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 154,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As I have been reading, this is a known issue, yet no recall has happened. The engine wiring harness is disintegrating for no other reason than age. As a result, the engine is starting to exhibit stalling issues and rough running, also fault codes are produced on the car computer. I have been told the wiring harness needs to be replaced to prevent further damage and fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10229382, filed 2008-05, 140,000 miles“My c-220 began to be hard to start. It also had a noise of running hard. Then it started shutting off on me. I had it check out and the wires of the fuel injector harness just began to crumble.”
NHTSA complaint #10399870, filed 2011-05, 194,000 miles“My 1994 mercedes C220 vehicle lost power and stop running during a 120 mile trip at 10 pm. During cold weather my pregnant wife and I were lucky to have a signal on our cell phone we contacted aaa had to wait 1 hour finally vehicle was towed. The next day a mechanic inspected the vehicle and he attributed the problem to an injectors wire harness that lost insulating capacity causing wires to touch each other creating a circuit short and fuel injectors malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #10209154, filed 2007-11, 200,000 miles“It all started when I was warming up the car before work and I went back inside my house when I returned the car had shut off. Later at a stop light the cars engine shut off again. I'm at fear when ever I stop that the car may cut off. The check engine light is on and when reset it came back on. I was informed that the engine harness is deteriorating inside. The mechanical technician showed it to me. The cost to repair the engine harness, I was quoted and estimate of $1700.00 maybe I was told.”
NHTSA complaint #10233236, filed 2008-07, 160,000 miles“We are experiencing an intermittent, parasitic drain of our new ( less than 6 months old) battery within a 12 hour window. If we catch it before the 12 hours, we _can_ start the C220. If we wait longer than 12 hours, the battery is unable to engage the starter selenoid. It is also unable to power _any_ of the vehicle systems - no lights, no dash instrumentation, no radio, nothing works. This has happened 3 ( three) times - each time requiring a jump start. Mb roadside assistance was involved in the first 2 (two) episodes, and replaced the battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100973, filed 2004-12, 77,496 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10167563Jul 8, 2013The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1994 Mercedes-Benz C220
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Mercedes-Benz C220
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology