Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2011
Electrical System
THE INSULATION OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS GETS BRITTLE AND CRUMBLES CAUSING THE ENGINE TO EITHER NOT RUN PROPERLY OR JUST QUIT RUNNING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE ON THE ROAD. MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE W202 BODY (AND I BELIEVE OTHER BODY STYLES) BETWEEN 1994 THRU 1996 +- MODEL YEARS. A…
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THE INSULATION OF THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS GETS BRITTLE AND CRUMBLES CAUSING THE ENGINE TO EITHER NOT RUN PROPERLY OR JUST QUIT RUNNING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE ON THE ROAD. MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE W202 BODY (AND I BELIEVE OTHER BODY STYLES) BETWEEN 1994 THRU 1996 +- MODEL YEARS. AT ONE POINT THEY WERE DOING A GOOD-FAITH REPLACEMENT OF THESE HARNESSES BUT STOPPED. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE ARE ABOUT 1.5 M CARS IN THE US AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423135
99,300 miles · Nov 3, 2008
Electrical System
I OWN A 1996 MERCEDES C280. HAD THE CAR SINCE 50,000. NOW AT 99,000 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HOOKED THE SDS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE FOUND THAT CODES ARE NOT IRRELAVENT. DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING AROUND THE SENSORS WERE FALLING APART!! WTF!! ORDERED A NEW WIRING HARNESS AND WAITING AND HOPEFULLY WILL FIX THE PROBLEMSSSSSSS. AND …
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I OWN A 1996 MERCEDES C280. HAD THE CAR SINCE 50,000. NOW AT 99,000 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HOOKED THE SDS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE FOUND THAT CODES ARE NOT IRRELAVENT. DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING AROUND THE SENSORS WERE FALLING APART!! WTF!! ORDERED A NEW WIRING HARNESS AND WAITING AND HOPEFULLY WILL FIX THE PROBLEMSSSSSSS. AND I WILL COMPLAIN AND SEE IF MERCEDES WILL HELP PAY FOR THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. SELL THE CAR AND BUY A GOOD OL TOYOTA!!!!! *TR
IN A MINOR FRONTAL IMPACT, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HOOD LATCH HOOK TO BE DAMAGED AND NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AS A SECONDARY SAFETY CATCH. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 113, "HOOD LATCH SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE HOOD IS DAMAGED AND THE HOOD IS NOT FULLY LATCHED, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP SUDDENLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THIS CONDITION CAN REDUCE THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH SECONDARY HOOK.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Mercedes Benz 202 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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