1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,225miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and exterior lighting (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,225 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 10 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
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 system4 57%
- Air bags1 14%
- Exterior lighting1 14%
- Body and structure1 14%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Insulation on the wiring harness for the headlights is failing to where bare wires show and are contacting other bare wires shorting out the system. After searching online I see this is a common problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10691286, filed 2015-02, 100,450 milesAir bags: “The contact owns a 1997 mercedes benz C280. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the air bag in the steering wheel deployed unexpectedly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10637226, filed 2014-09Body and structure: “1997 mercedes benz, model c-280: trunk front spring anchor point (drivers side) broke from metal fatigue when the trunk was opened. The weld point did not break. Mercedes benz USA was notified of the metal failure problem and has declined to act or take responsibility, as they stated this is due to the age of the vehicle . This part is not one to be replaced by wear and tear. We are advising you of the metal part failure, please respond. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #10254997, filed 2009-01, 113,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 100,450 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C280 RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 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
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020Electrical system. NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020Electronic stability control, Brakes. If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10164810Aug 5, 2019Equipment, Suspension. Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
- 10151959Jul 23, 2018Seat belts. Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- 10135599Mar 24, 2015Suspension. Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
- 10167563Jul 8, 2013Electrical system. The 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 interrupting the power…
- 10028624Jan 13, 2009Brakes. Mercedes vehicle: the anti-lock brake system (abs) return flow pump running without control with corresponding fault code c1401, clean and insulated the connector for the return flow pump relay…
- 10020460Dec 4, 2008Steering. Play in the rack and pinion steering system. Models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. Mercedes benz. *kb updated 5/13/09.
- 10022893Apr 24, 2008Engine cooling. Check engine light on / fault codes fc1200 / fc1208 stored in me-sfi control unit. Mercedes-benz model c230, c280, c350, slk280, slk350, clk350, clk550, e350, e550, cls550, s600, and sl550. Equipped…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C280
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 56 | 61,500 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 29 | 94,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 34 | 76,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 15 | 182,873 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 7 | 85,225 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 16 | 142,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Falling |
| 1994 | 9 | 167,500 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz C280 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.
Has the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 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.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 (C280, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,225 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 100,450 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.