Insulation on the wiring harness for the headlights is failing to where bare wires show and are contacting other bare wires shorting out the system. After searching online I see this is a common problem.
The worst 1997 Mercedes Benz C280 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical4
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Lights1
- Visibility1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical4
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Lights1
- Visibility1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Mercedes Benz C280 10
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- NTG5.5
- If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single...
- Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
- Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
- The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark
- Mercedes vehicle: the anti-lock brake system (ABS) return flow pump running without control with...
- Play in the rack and pinion steering system
- Check engine light on / fault codes FC1200 / FC1208 stored in me-sfi control unit
1997 Mercedes Benz C280 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
What 1997 Mercedes Benz C280 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercedes benz c280. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the air bag in the steering wheel deployed unexpectedly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Mercedes 1997 c280 sport wiring harness.
1997 mercedes benz, model c-280: trunk front spring anchor point (drivers side) broke from metal fatigue when the trunk was opened. The weld point did not break. Mercedes benz USA was notified of the metal failure problem and has declined to act or take responsibility, as they stated "this is due to the age of the vehicle". This part is not one to be replaced by wear and tear. We are advising you of the metal part failure, please respond. Thank you.
1997 c-class c280 sport mercedes-benz wiring harness problem causing random electrical problems.
Wire harness and mass air flow sensors are well known to fail in all w202 body style mercedes maf are not a larger problem due to their low repair cost on the other hand all w202 have to have the wire harness replaced in under 10 years which for $2000+ is unreasonable due to the fact that it is a clear problem in all such vehicles.
Interior windshield fogs once consumer exit the vehicle. *mr the problem occurred after the vehicle was in the park position with the engine off. The visibility through the windshield would get worse if the defogger was turned on and would not defrost when the windshield fogged up. (model-c 280) *scc
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Questions about the 1997 Mercedes Benz C280
Is the 1997 Mercedes Benz C280 reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 1997 Mercedes Benz C280, fewer than a typical C280 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mercedes Benz C280?
Electrical system, with 4 complaints. Next is airbags (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercedes Benz C280 have?
No recalls on record.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercedes Benz C280 get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Mercedes Benz C280 range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 24 highway.
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