Mercedes Benz C Class loss of power problems

Filed Jun 4, 2012 · Acceleration, Transmission · 72,280 miles · CA

While driving experienced sudden loss of power. Engine would rev normally but vehicle acted as if in neutral. I was able to move over to side of freeway safely. Placed car in park and then shifted back into drive, and car behaved normally. After doing research, I have discovered that this is a common problem with this model. According to, http://jayauto.wordpress.com, mercedes is in a fight with its own suppliers because they produce a low-quality part. If you have problems with your 7-speed transmissions, please report it to: the federal safety agency. Only this organization can enforce mercedes to do a transmission recall. In 2011, mercedes made their biggest profit in their history. However, I don't think they will use it to fix their issues with transmission.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Electrical · 127,000 miles · TX

Engine wiring harness failure on 1995 c 220 mercedes - benz. Had all engine wiring replaced at a cost of $500.00. Having so many electrical problems caused many parts to be changed that did not need to be changed. The car is in the shop now for over 9 months because mechanic can not figure why car continue having lost of power.before I found out about the bad wiring on this c 220 benz,my car was almost hit by another car while trying to cross a busy highway. This could have tragic thank god they slowed down to let me cross. This is a very serious safety situation and something should be done about it asap before some get seriously hurt or receive death form this major problem. I'm over $4,000.00 in the hole and still no working c220 mercedes benz yet!

Filed Mar 3, 2008 · Engine · 78,000 miles · PA

I have a 2002 mercedes benz c240 sedan with 78,000 miles on it. Upon leaving work two weeks ago driving down the parking lot in second gear the car started to make the worst engine noise I ever heard. I shut the car off and had it towed to a dealer and they tell me the timing chain broke. If I was traveling down an interstate and this broke and the engine lost power who knows what would have happened. This in not the first problem I had with the car I have a service file full of problems and spent a lot of time and money on things like front coil springs which also could be very dangerous when they break and I lose control of the car.

Filed Dec 21, 2007 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NY

Engine wiring harness failure. It appears that, due to it's design using "biodegradable" plastic wire insulation, the harness is prone to shorting out and failing and even potentially starting an engine fire. My mechanic was able to diagnose this problem because, as a mercedes benz specialist, he has seen this happen over and over. The insulation just crumbles and flakes off of the wires, causing shorts and malfunction. In my case, the car lost power in a situation that put me danger of being rear-ended. The only repair is to replace the harness at a cost well over a thousand dollars.

Filed Nov 15, 2007 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NY

Failure of engine compartment wiring harness with the rotting and cracking of harness has caused engine to misfire causing rapid power loss in intersections. Shorting of connections cause ecu related malfunctions and read error codes on vehicle. Premature degradation of wiring harness.

Filed May 21, 2007 · Electrical · 55,350 miles · GA

I own a 1995 c280 sedan with just over 55,000 miles. I have owned the car for approximately 1 year and was beginning to have the symptoms of the wiring harness failure described in many cases. It started after replacing the spark plugs and continued to get worse even after replacing all of the spark plug wires and connectors. The car back fired and started to run rough as if one or more plugs were misfiring. Usually after turning the car off and restarting the problems went away until the next time. I am concerned that this will start a fire or cause an accident due to loss of power and/or control.

Filed Apr 22, 2006 · Electrical · 58,000 miles · FL

Engine wire harness insulation is cracking and falling apart in areas. Caused intermittent power loss.

Filed Jan 27, 2006 · Electrical · 122,000 miles · NJ

1994 c280 was being driven on an interstate when there was a total loss of power. The car required towing to the mb dealership. The engine wiring harness had completely deteriorated and required replacement to the tune of $1500.00. Mb is not only brushing aside any responsibility for this well documented defect, they are making money on the repairs, what a scam.

Filed Aug 28, 2005 · Electrical, Transmission · 18,300 miles · CA

My mercedes-benz c-240 (2003 model), having less than 18500 miles, suddenly lost power after some 2-hour worth of free-way driving. Around noon on friday, 8/26/05, I was driving south -bound on I-15 past victorville (ca), about 9 miles past the exit for route 18, when my c-240 suddenly lost power. As I depressed the accelerator, I felt no power and the RPM was decreasing. It felt like the entire engine-transmission system was shutting down. There was no prior warning. I made right turn signal letting other vehicles know I was coming off the free-way. I managed to pull off to the right shoulder safely and came to full stop on the gravel. At that time, my digital odometer read "1 malfunction". Using my cell phone, I immediately called the mercedes hotline. The roadside assistance representative, kristin, advised me not to drive the vehicle, even after the "1 malfunction" sign became "no malfunction" a little later. My vehicle was towed to a mercedes-benz dealer in riverside, some 50 miles away. At the dealers service dept, after a basic check involving computer and electronics, some faulty identifications were made, but it was determined to be safe and drivable. I drove my vehicle home, planning to have a major check up later.

Filed Jul 28, 2004 · Electrical · 97,000 miles · WI

1995 c280 mercedes. Engine wiring harness failure. Causing loss of power. Almost hit by truck while crossing a road due to engine almost quiting.