Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
125–50K
450–75K
475–100K
8100–150K
17150K+
35 reports with mileage · 18 unknown
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 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
53 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2006
Electrical System
WHEN I BOUGHT MY 1995 MERCEDES C220 FROM THE MERCEDES DEALER, THEY KNEW WHAT I FOUND OUT AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR THAT 1995 MERCEDES C220'S HAVE A FAULTY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN FOR OVER 30 YEARS NOW AND I KNOW WHAT FAULTY INSULATION LOOKS LIKE, THE INSULATION IS BRITTLE, CRACKING AND FALLING …
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WHEN I BOUGHT MY 1995 MERCEDES C220 FROM THE MERCEDES DEALER, THEY KNEW WHAT I FOUND OUT AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR THAT 1995 MERCEDES C220'S HAVE A FAULTY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN FOR OVER 30 YEARS NOW AND I KNOW WHAT FAULTY INSULATION LOOKS LIKE, THE INSULATION IS BRITTLE, CRACKING AND FALLING OFF THE CONDUCTORS.. AND WITH MY AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING BACKGROUND THE ENGINE HARNESS WOULD ONLY COST MERCEDES A FEW DOLLARS TO MANUFACTURE. ( UNDER $20.00 USD ) IS IT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR HAVING INTERMITTENT ABS SYSTEM? INTERMITTENT TEMP AND FUEL GAUGES AND SPEEDOMETER? CLEARLY THERE MUST BE A SET STANDARD FOR THE INSULATION USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AUTOMOBILES, AND CLEARLY THE ORIGINAL INSULATION USED IN PRODUCTION DID NOT,AND WOULD NOT PASS.. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10175565
8,200 miles · Aug 7, 2006
Electrical System
COMPLETE FAILURE OF ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DUE TO PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF WIRE INSULATION. GARAGED CAR WOULD START AND RUN NORMALLY FOR SHORT (TEN MINUTE) TRIPS BUT WOULD NOT START UP TO RETURN HOME. STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIPS PERIODICALLY. STALLING AND SURGING COMMON. INDEPENDENT SPECIALIST MECHANI…
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COMPLETE FAILURE OF ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DUE TO PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF WIRE INSULATION. GARAGED CAR WOULD START AND RUN NORMALLY FOR SHORT (TEN MINUTE) TRIPS BUT WOULD NOT START UP TO RETURN HOME. STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRIPS PERIODICALLY. STALLING AND SURGING COMMON. INDEPENDENT SPECIALIST MECHANIC DISCOVERED CRUMBLING AND CRACKED WIRE INSULATION ON WIRING HARNESS. CAR WILL NO LONGER START AT ALL. I HAVE SPENT MUCH TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO FIX WHAT APPEARS NOW TO BE A KNOWN DEFECT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR AND I AM VERY UPSET THAT SUCH A SERIOUS DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN SATISFACTORILY ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164673
144,000 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Electrical System
FAULTY ENGINE WIRE INSULATION
NHTSA ODI #10124113
90,950 miles · Jul 21, 2004
Electrical System
WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITHIN 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM MAYBE AN ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA ODI #10083365
675,000 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Latches/locks/linkagesStructureVisibility
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE WIPERS FROZE. THE HANDLE HAD BECOME VERY HOT TO TOUCH AND WOULD NOT TURN. THIS CAUSED SKIDDING OFF THE ROAD. THE DEFECTIVE LOCKS COULD LOCK WITH THE KEY BUT WOULD N…
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WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE WIPERS FROZE. THE HANDLE HAD BECOME VERY HOT TO TOUCH AND WOULD NOT TURN. THIS CAUSED SKIDDING OFF THE ROAD. THE DEFECTIVE LOCKS COULD LOCK WITH THE KEY BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10073591
50,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Electrical System
THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. INSULATION ON THE WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS PEELED OFF WHICH CAUSED A SHORTAGE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10026838
142,000 miles · Feb 12, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON SUDDENLY VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CONSUMER NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE REACHED OVER 110 MPH BEFORE IT COULD BE STOPPED. CONSUMER HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE IN THE MUD TO SLOW IT DOWN AND STOP IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10058056
142,353 miles · Feb 12, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO COMPUTER OVERIDE. HAD TO PUT IN NUETRAL AT 110MPH AND SHUT OFF ENGINE TO COAST TO STOP. LUCKILY I WAS ON A STRAIGHT TEXAS STATE FARM ROAD WITH OUT TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT. MERCEDES BENZ WAS CALLED AND ARE SUPPOSE TO INVESTIGATE THE…
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SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO COMPUTER OVERIDE. HAD TO PUT IN NUETRAL AT 110MPH AND SHUT OFF ENGINE TO COAST TO STOP. LUCKILY I WAS ON A STRAIGHT TEXAS STATE FARM ROAD WITH OUT TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT. MERCEDES BENZ WAS CALLED AND ARE SUPPOSE TO INVESTIGATE THE REASON FOR THIS MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI #10057115
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055336
125,000 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Suspension
THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. AS A RESULT, THE BALL JOINT CRACKED, CAUSING THE FRONT END TO COLLAPSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10053484
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
1995 Mercedes Benz C220 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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