1999 Mercedes-Benz C280 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280, 12% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 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.
“On may 7 my wife and I took a trip to visit her parents graves and to enjoy a relaxing day in the country. After finding the rural cemetary and paying our respects we sat down for a little picnic at the cemetary. As we tidied up when finished, we began to put our stuff into the trunk of the car, which we had left open while we picnicked. As my wife began to put the picnic blanket into the trunk, there was a small explosion. It was accompanied by a puff or so of smoke and the smell of something that had burned. We did not know what had happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #745608, filed 2001-05“Explosion of Mercedes-Benz battery in vehicle. When the consumer turned the key in the ignition she heard a loud explosion followed by smoke from the trunk of the car. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who indicated that there was a recall on the battery the year before. The consumer never received any recall notice. The consumer request reimbursement for repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10076031, filed 2004-06Related 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 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280
10 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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