1999 Mercedes-Benz C280 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 15%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280, 15% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,500 miles. 2 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.
“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“The contact owns a 1999 mercedes benz C280. The rear tail light bulbs and plastic holder melted seven times. The dealer has not diagnosed the vehicle; however, they replaced the plastic holder and bulb under warranty. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 45,000 and current mileage was 151,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10246491, filed 2008-10, 45,000 miles“The contact owns a 1999 mercedes C280. The contact stated that the rear lights constantly burn out and had been replaced at least twenty times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the lights were burning out and creating a fire hazard. The cause of failure was not determined. The contact planned to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer to have the failure diagnosed. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 155,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10417946, filed 2011-08Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 | 15% |
| 1997 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C280
10 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