1999 Mercedes-Benz C280 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 29%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280, 29% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 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.
“A squeaking noise was coming from my wife's mercedes benz c-280. On her way to our mechanic, her car died, conveniently in front of another mechanic. The mechanic identified a problem with the harmonic balancer which flew off its appropriate place on the engine. The car is being looked at on 8/31/04 to assess the amount of damged caused.”
NHTSA complaint #10088879, filed 2004-08, 76,000 miles“The drive belt pulley of my 1999 mercedes C280 broke. The battery charge light came up and I almost lost control of the car because my steering became stiff. My car just has 49k miles and I just use it as a commute vehicle. This is very similar to NHTSA recall number: 96v058000”
NHTSA complaint #10016864, filed 2003-05, 49,000 miles“Harmonica balancer on 1999 mercedes benz C280 v6 2.8l engine. I've had some problems with the power steering and starting the car. I understand there is a recall for this problem but I never received any papers from the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #10144527, filed 2005-12, 40,000 miles“On november 24, 2010 our 1999 mercedes benz C280 sedan engine stalled/stopped running with no warning. Fortunately for us we were not on a fast moving surface street, a highway or a freeway. This situation, when the engine stalls/stops makes it is extremely difficult to steer the car and stop it since the brakes and power steering are difficult to use effectively with the engine is not running. After refueling the car we traveled approximately 100ft when, without any dash board warning lights or any other indications, the engine stopped running. …”
NHTSA complaint #10371212, filed 2010-12, 19,559 miles“Mercedes-benz 1999 C280. Crankshaft pulley fell apart while at a stop sign not far from home, was able to drive back home before complete breakdown. Smelled burning rubber, no fire. The car has only 25,284 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10196086, filed 2007-07, 25,282 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10022893Apr 24, 2008Check 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…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 | 7% |
| 1999 | 10 | 29% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 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 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