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1998 Mercedes Benz C280

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 3 of 15 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 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. 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.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL HOSE (PART NO.A2084761526) ABRUPTLY BURST WHEN CAR WAS STARTED, RESULTING IN HUGE FUEL LEAK (LIKE A SPIGOT), WITH FUEL IMMEDIATELY POOLING UNDER THE CAR AND STREAKING AWAY. IF THERE HAD BEEN A LIT CIGARETTE BUTT ON THE PARKING LOT PAVEMENT WE WOULD HAVE EXPLODED, KILLING ALL 4 OCCUPANTS AS WE WERE GETTING INTO THE CAR. IT W…

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FUEL HOSE (PART NO.A2084761526) ABRUPTLY BURST WHEN CAR WAS STARTED, RESULTING IN HUGE FUEL LEAK (LIKE A SPIGOT), WITH FUEL IMMEDIATELY POOLING UNDER THE CAR AND STREAKING AWAY. IF THERE HAD BEEN A LIT CIGARETTE BUTT ON THE PARKING LOT PAVEMENT WE WOULD HAVE EXPLODED, KILLING ALL 4 OCCUPANTS AS WE WERE GETTING INTO THE CAR. IT WOULD HAVE WIPED OUT THREE GENERATIONS: TWO PARENTS, ONE CHILD AND ONE SURVIVING GRANDPARENT. THIS PART HAS TO BE FAILSAFE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF LIFE. I HAVE A 13-YR-OLD CAR THAT HAS NEVER HAD BREAKAGE OF A FUEL HOSE LIKE THIS. I URGE A RECALL OF THIS PART SO AS TO PREVENT FUTURE LOSS OF LIFE. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #763346

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS TANK GAUGE FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #608678

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

1

PE03058 · Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure

Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Apr 22, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.