I smelled strong vapors of gas inside my car and outside the area. I looked under car gas was pouring out from under fuel tank . Took it to ( towed that is) the shop find fuel tank was defective ! Found hole in the tank on the tab if that makes sense . The shop called around for safety recall and mercedes see if any other information. I am aware mercedes has had problem in past with fuel tanks . The sop informed me if I drove this car with heat from exhaust would have caught fire ., I am trying to contact mercedes corporate head quarters with no luck . Is there anyway I can report file have recourse .this came to 3000.00 out of pocket ! Not mention it could have had serious consequences !
Mercedes Benz C Class fire or smoke problems
11 of the 191 owner complaints about the Mercedes Benz C Class describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical mileage
- 128,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20081
- 20044
- 20022
- 19971
- 19951
- 19942
Often reported together
Trouble codes mentioned
P1570 1
What owners say
Was driving vehicle down the highway traveling at normal speeds. All of a sudden car began backfiring and speed dropped from 65 MPH to 30 MPH. The car would not accelerate and began to backfire more. Temp went up and car started smoking. Pulled over to check on car and it never restarted again. Contacted mb assist and was told I would need a jump with thick gauge cables and they could send a tech but the charges would be at minimum $100. Its been over a week and the car will not start. I've put batteries in fob (they never had any before) , charged car battery , checked all fuses, jumped car battery and now am being given a p1570 immobilizer code . The car alarm has never been activated. . This car is making absolute no sense with the errors and no explanation as to why it nearly caught fire and wont start now...
Tl* the contact owns a 1994 mercedes benz c280. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact noticed smoke emitting from under the hood. The vehicle was driven to the side of the roadway. The contact detected extremely small flames and sparks coming from the engine wiring harness. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The dealer was notified of the defect but the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
I own a 1995 c280 mercedes, previously owned by my daughter for 5 years. The car always idled rough, occasionally backfires, lacks overall power. My daughter had it to the shop numerous times and they never really diagnosed the problem. Two days ago I started it, heard a loud pop and saw smoke coming out of the hood and smelled electrical wires burning. It had to be towed to the nearest mercedes dealer. They want a total of $3300 to repair it. The issue is the wiring harness. I have read hundreds of consumer complaints regarding this issue. In 1993-1995 c280 models mercedes tried a new insulation covering on the wires and it does not hold up. In fact, I have seen the result in numerous pictures of the condition the wires. The insulation just desintergrates. I read that up until a few years ago mercedes was replacing them but then they just stopped. Why isn't this an official recall failure.
Engine wiring harness has brittle insulation; has hundreds of cracks; insulation is falling off of wires; is short circuiting, motor is running rough; missing some; sounds like its not running on all cylinders. Wiring harness is heating where it is short circuiting. I have seen some smoking; was on fire once so far.
My wife drove the car in the morning, no problem. Early afternoon, she left to pick up our child, while leaving the neighborhood. The vehicle starting sending warning signs came on the dash that had never been seen before. Then thick smoke came out from under the steering wheel. My wife had to open her window. She then turned around to go back home prior to leaving the community. On the way back the car slammed on brakes by itself and cut itself off and said the vehicle had 7 faults. Ran up to a neighbors home, upon returning the vehicle was engulfed in flames and became a total loss. Police and fire marshal came to inspect the vehicle. Since then, we have had to track down merecedes benz and basically have had no customer support whatsoever. We located the vehicle for mercedes as they took their sweet time. They did get an inspector there to view the vehicle but have yet to hear anything from them regarding this matter. We have contacted an attorney to protect us and want mercedes to be held liable for this incident. Something was very wrong and we are grateful that no one was hurt.
Accident. 2008 mercedes c-350 rear ended a delivery truck. Mercedes began smoking immediately and caught fire within one minute. Within 3-5 minutes engine compartment and passenger compartment were fully engulfed in flame. Driver escaped before car burned. Airbags did not deploy in this front end crash. Driver had concussion and facial injuries from hitting, possibly steering wheel. Driver sustained other injuries as well.
I have a 2004 mercedes c230 compressor. Yesterday, I drove the vehicle home and afterwards left it parked. All of a sudden, there was smoke coming from the interior of the car. It engulfed the whole vehicle in smoke and damaged most of the interior. The fire investigator came ,and stated that it was from the electrical wires inside the dashboard.
While driving consumer noticed steam coming from underneath the vehicle. Consumer was able to pull over to shoulder, lifted up the hood, and smoke came from the engine. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection.
Wile driving, the consumer noticed steam coming from the hood and black smoke coming from the back of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle ,but was unable to do so. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. Please fill in additional information.
Related recalls
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor may not be displayed in the instrument cluster; (3) the obd system may cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly; and, (4) the speedometer may be out of tolerance.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
- Remedy
- Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 08V303000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with hoppecke batteries. The battery maintenance schedule could be less than needed to maintain proper electrolyte levels.
- Risk
- The low electrolyte levels result in accelerated battery grid growth, increased potential for inter-cell rupture and sparking, and the potential for a battery explosion.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the batteries, including fluid levels. Some batteries may be replaced if necessary, on a case by case basis. In addition to the battery inspection, the addition of labels in the vehicle owner's manual and engine compartment will be included to conspicuously remind owners as well as dealer and service personnel of the need to perform battery maintenance. Owner notification began february 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 01V366000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercedes Benz C Class fire or smoke
Which Mercedes Benz C Class years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (4 complaints), 1994 (2 complaints) and 2002 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Mercedes Benz C Class?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history