1994 Mercedes-Benz C280 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 89%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 1994 Mercedes-Benz C280, 89% of the 9 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car began to slow down uncontrollably. The car shook and died. I was on I-75 in atlanta, ga. The shop said that it was due to a faulty engine wiring harness, something that mercedes is aware of. I was almost killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10668920, filed 2014-12, 173,000 miles“On my way home, my wife car start to run roughtly and see smoke coming from motor hood, look for a place to stop safely and open the hood, fire was all over, wires harness was burning and other insulate materials, I get from my trunk the fire extinguisher and spray on the fire, luckely I was driving my wife car. I know many cars of that year have the same problem and mercedes do nothing to fix the problem, my car was always in our garage. What can I do to fix the problem, I ear it will cost more than $ 3,000 replace the wire harness.”
NHTSA complaint #10554374, filed 2013-12, 190,000 miles“I just bought this w202 94' C280 with 150k in the spring time which surprisingly ran fine with no issues, considering some of the loom on the electrical wires going to the connectors and sensors is entirely disintegrated and insulation is breaking apart leaving bare copper wires near each other or near metal brackets. …”
NHTSA complaint #11282279, filed 2019-11, 170,000 miles“Car started stalling and transmission refused to upshift. When car slowed it would not accelerate again. Turns out the engine wiring harness failed due to a biodegradable type of insulation used and is shorting out in multiple places. Car started to smoke at one point. This caused dangerous engine malfunction--and a fire-could have been started inside my engine compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #10487452, filed 2012-12, 96,957 miles“Engine began to make a buzzsaw grinding sound that was not initially noticed while driving along on an 85 mile interstate highway trip. While traveling at 60 MPH on a 6 lane highway, all the dashboard lighting began to dim and malfunction, the electrical system then completely failed and shut down causing the engine to stall out, steering and brake function became significantly degraded due to engine failure (including complete stoppage of the windshield wipers during a heavy rain downpour) safely exited roadway by maneuvering around traffic and coasting to road side shoulder at which point…”
NHTSA complaint #10701852, filed 2015-03, 62,928 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 C280
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Mercedes-Benz C280
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