1995 Mercedes Benz C Class: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jan 13, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · VA

I own a 1995 mercedes benz c280. This vehicle year and model has a possible critical engine wiring harness problem where the insulation on the harness disintegrates very quickly. This disintegration can cause the car to stall and catch fire while driving. There are of course other related severe problems that can occur since the wiring harness is critical to the operation of the vehicle. A few of the other critical components affected are ignition, fuel injection, cooling, timing, mixtures and various other systems/sensors of the car. After speaking to the manufacturer (mb-USA in ny), local dealers, owners and reading various websites, I believe that mercedes benz is aware of this problem but will not issue a voluntary recall. The only available repair I am aware of is to replace the entire engine wiring harness. Since the disintegration can occur due to the normal operational engine heat irregardless of mileage, it is my understanding that this can happen at any time. It is highly likely that a affected car with higher miles is much more susceptible to the failing of the wiring harness. This naturally also leaves drivers and passengers of older affected cars much more susceptible to the dangerous and fatal effects of a engine wiring harness failure. I ask that the federal safety agency investigate this further and issue a recall on behalf of all of the owners. I know that my car falls in the category where the harness is possibly bad, and you are welcome to contact me to see the condition of the my car's engine wiring harness. I hope at the least you can seek a resolution for me from the manufacturer in remedying a known issue in the model I own.

Filed Sep 22, 2008 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NJ

My 1995 mercedes benz c280 was running rough and stalled on the road. Brought vehicle to mercedes dealer and found the engine wiring harness to be defective and deteriorating and crumbling cracked and exposed wires. My ignition portion failed where the wires connect to the spark plugs and high energy coils shorting out against the engine frame. Vehicle towed and technicians replaced engine harness parts plus labor $1,500. Repair bill. The harness is a manufactured dealer new item only no repair could be made as the entire wiring harness is defective and controls critical functions of the engine operation.

Filed Jun 3, 2008 · Electrical · SC

Defective engine harness causes the vehicle to lurch and stall at critical moments like when proceeding through an intersection or entering a highway. This has caused several close calls and is very dangerous. Mercedes seems to be in denial of this problem even though they are very much aware it exists. The part is approx 1,000.00 plus labor to fix a manufacturers defect. I understand that this has caused fires in some of these vehcles. All I want is mercedes to hand me a new harness so I can repair my car. But if someone gets injured due to this problem.

Filed Feb 28, 2008 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · NY · fire

Failure of the engine wiring harness that caused smoking and fire, caught in time. Wiring insulation is faulty, made brittle due to engine heat. Also caused car to stall and not restart without costly repair.

Filed Mar 30, 2007 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · GA

Wire insulation on my engine wiring harness has disintegrated exposing the internal wiring completely, especially in bent areas. This is a result of normal operation of the vehicle. As this happens the engine runs worse, problems associated include surging in idle, stumbling of engine upon initial acceleration and stalling or running engine. The only course of action is to replace the wiring harness with a "newly" purchased harness from mercedes benz. The only problem with that idea is I will be purchasing a wiring harness manufactured during roughly the same time the vehicle was in production that uses the same defective, advanced degrading wiring.

Filed Dec 3, 2006 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · CA

My mechanics told me that I need to replace the engine wiring harness in my 1995 mercedes c280 with 118k mi. It cause the cylinder misfired. I never heard or experienced this problem with other cars in my life. When I search the information on the web, it's a common problem for 1994 & 1995 mercedes c280. I am very surprised that it has never been recalled. It will causes the car to stall during take off and on the road while driving.

Filed Aug 17, 2006 · Electrical · 80,388 miles · TX

My wife and I purchased a 1995 c280 mercedes-benz in august of 2002. The car had less than 20,000 miles and was garage kept. The car ran fine for a couple of years but began experiencing trouble with the car intermittently stalling out while driving, occasionally not starting, and ultimately leaving me stranded. In february of 2006 I took the car to a non dealer repair shop which specializes in mercedes-benz vehicles. After explaining the car's problems, the technician immediately said the wiring harnesses on this model and year are all defective. He opened the hood and showed me where the plastic coating had eroded from the wires. He rubbed the outside surface of a couple of wires to show me how the plastic insulation disintegrated in his fingers. I paid to have the wiring harness to be replaced at a cost of $2,354.76. Nobody was hurt nor did anyone die. I took corrective action before me, my wife or children became a statistic. The manufacturer knows this is a problem and should own up to it.

Filed May 9, 2006 · Electrical · 134,000 miles · RI

Vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. After numerous hours of investigations and replacing potentially faulty parts, it was realized that this was a wire harness failure. A common problem found on this model, I.e. Degradation of wiring harness, leaving bare wires which short-circuit. This could potentially cause catastrophic failure resulting in death if not addressed since the harness essentially controls electrical and safety sensor.