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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2007

Mercedes-Benz C280 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 165 owner complaints for the Mercedes-Benz C280, covering model years 1995 to 2007. The 2007 model year drew the most complaints (56), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercedes-Benz C280 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 4 recall campaigns on file
  • 165 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 8 model years with data (1995–2007)
  • most complaints: 2007 (56 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (36 complaints)
  • latest recall 24V874000 (reported Nov 19, 2024)
  • 10 complaints reporting a crash (6.1%)
  • 7 complaints reporting a fire (4.2%)
  • 6 complaints reporting an injury (3.6%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercedes-Benz C280 complaints by model year

8 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2007 model year has the most complaints: 56 of 165, or 33.9%. Next come 1999 (34) and 2006 (29). The fewest are for 2000, with 4 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercedes-Benz C280 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2007Column chart of 165 complaints across 13 model years. The highest is 2007 with 56. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 16 complaints1619951996: 4 complaints419961997: 7 complaints719971998: 15 complaints1519981999: 34 complaints3419992000: 4 complaints420002001: 0 complaints20012002: 0 complaints20022003: 0 complaints20032004: 0 complaints20042005: 0 complaints20052006: 29 complaints2920062007: 56 complaints562007
Mercedes-Benz C280 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercedes-Benz C280 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995161320
199640100
199770000
1998151010
1999342200
200040000
2006294020
2007562110
All model years16510760

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercedes-Benz C280 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 36 complaints (21.8% of all 165), followed by Engine (30) and Fuel/Propulsion System (19).

Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz C280 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mercedes-Benz C280 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System3621.8%
Engine3018.2%
Fuel/Propulsion System1911.5%
Unknown or Other159.1%
Engine and Engine Cooling148.5%
Suspension148.5%
Air Bags137.9%
Power Train127.3%
Fuel System, Gasoline106.1%
Visibility95.5%
Vehicle Speed Control74.2%
Exterior Lighting63.6%
Steering63.6%
Structure63.6%
Seats31.8%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercedes-Benz C280 recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name C280, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 2006 to 2007. The 2006 and 2007 model years appear in the most campaigns (4 each).

  • 4 recall campaigns
Mercedes-Benz C280 recall campaigns covering each model year
2006: 4 campaigns2007: 4 campaigns

  1. NHTSA campaign 24V874000

    Reported

    Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Model years 2006–2007

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

    Consequence:
    A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 22V954000

    Reported

    Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Model years 2006–2007

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

    Consequence:
    A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 21V196000

    Reported

    Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Model years 2006–2007

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2007 C350, C230, C280, CLK350, E320CDI, E350 Wagon, E350, 2006 C55 AMG, CLK500, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, E500 Wagon, E500, E55 AMG, 2007 CLK550, CLS550, CLS63 AMG, E550, E63 AMG, and E63 Wagon AMG vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.

    Consequence:
    A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 7, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040012.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 19V918000

    Reported

    Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Model years 2006–2007

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

    Consequence:
    A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercedes-Benz C280 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz C280 have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mercedes-Benz C280, covering model years 1995 to 2007. The most recent, 24V874000, was reported on November 19, 2024 and is filed under “Visibility”. The 2006 and 2007 model years are covered by the most campaigns (4 each).

Which Mercedes-Benz C280 model year has the most complaints?

The 2007 model year, with 56 of the 165 complaints in NHTSA’s file (33.9%). The next are 1999 (34) and 2006 (29). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercedes-Benz C280 complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 36 complaints, or 21.8% of all 165. Engine (30) and Fuel/Propulsion System (19) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercedes-Benz C280?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

How many Mercedes-Benz C280 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 165 complaints, 10 report a crash, 7 a fire, 6 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercedes-Benz models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder with every Mercedes-Benz model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercedes-Benz models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.