1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 57%of 7 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280, 57% of the 7 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
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.
“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 miles“Wire harness and mass air flow sensors are well known to fail in all w202 body style mercedes maf are not a larger problem due to their low repair cost on the other hand all w202 have to have the wire harness replaced in under 10 years which for $2000+ is unreasonable due to the fact that it is a clear problem in all such vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10166284, filed 2006-08Related 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 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz C280
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology