1995 Mercedes-Benz 280 Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Wiring › Front underhood
  11
• Wiring
  8
• Ignition
  2
• 12V/24V/48V battery
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  27%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  27%
• 75k–100k
  829%
• 100k–150k
  932%
• 150k+
  725%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mercedes-Benz 280 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Car has been a good running car fro several thousand miles, however today it started, what seem to be a misfire. I checked the spark plugs, wires, igniters and they were all in good condition since they have been replaced recently. As I was driving the car at 35 miles an hour the car suddenly jerked and smoke filed the inside and would not accelerate on a busy cross road, so instant panic set in, because of the loss of vision and unable to breath from the fumes. I suffer from migraines and had to go to the doctor for a check up because my health has not been the same since. As daylight came I finally had a chance to look at the damage and it was the defective wiring harness that has been installed on certain years of Mercedes Benz, per the vast amount of information regarding the issue and how I am now writing about it. …

The wiring harness within the engine compartment caught on fire while I was backing the car out of the driveway. I called the dealer and told them about the harness,they seemed to think it was normal for the wiring to catch on fire. If anyone there would like to look at this car it is in my driveway. I don't think am going to spend $2,000 to fix it.

My son's car quit running. The mechanic at the garage discovered that the underhood wiring harness had completely deteriorated. He spoke with a Mercedes mechanic who told him this was a well known problem with this era car with this engine. I spoke with a Mercedes customer service rep who said that they were unaware of an issue. I pointed out that I was seeing complaints on the nhsta site. He denied their existence. Here are the odi id numbers I found in a quick search. They all describe the same type of problem: 769109 10059002 10005610 8014541 742685 737212 836664 733503 720365 720365 10016993 898986 714914 767707 now, I am in infection control and epidemiology. If I were to see these 14 records all about 1994 and 1995 models, it would suggest a cluster and require some action on my part. …

While traveling, car gradually lost power until completely shut-off. Middle of a busy roadway. Vehicle would not turn on again. No power at all. Could not even turn on hazards. Thankfully, a good samaritan pulled up behind me with their flashers on and provided me with a boost that powered up my vehicle and I was able to get off the main roadway. However, once I stopped at the next stop sign the car shut down completely. Again, the same guy came to my aid. This time we let the battery charge for a much longer time. I was able to start the car but, the RPM's were going crazy. The dials were going up and down. The car was revving up and down. The fuel gauge, odometer and other gauges were at zero. Odd. I was able to drive the vehicle to my mechanic who stated that I needed a new wiring harness as he showed me the insulation on mine had completely deteriorated was causing it to short out. …

(1) while driving my 95 Mercedes c280 on I-44 highway construction I hit a small bump. Immediately the "check engine" light came on, but the engine seemed to operate normally. I was on my way to the dealer for another problem, so they checked the warning light and found the wiring harness to be deteriorated, which the service representative said was a common problem with the original harness. At $1745 to replace and with it operating normally and with their assurance it should not cause a fire or any other parts to fail, I have not had it repaired. When I talked with carol, a customer service representative at the national Mercedes office, she referred me to kenneth holland at elite, the dealership in springfield, mo for a reduced cost but he refused because Mercedes did not authorize it. …

Multiple engine failure events while driving at highway speeds. The car would completely shutdown. Local Mercedes repair shop investigated and informed me of the main engine harness wiring deterioating and this was normal for this model year car (wires are biodegradable). My wires had fell apart and was shortening out due to bare wires touching and exposure to the elements. Thus, this required re-wiring the car with a new harness. Checked with the dealership and was told that the wiring issue was due to wear/tear and they would replace the wiring at full price for parts & labor. This is a dangerous scenario for a car at highway speed and possible fire hazard. The replacement wires also has the same problem. The manufacturer should be forced to recall this item and replace with a improved (non-biodegradabel) wiring harness.

I have a 1995 c280 Mercedes Benz and I'm having the same problem that I have been reading in the other complaints about the mid 90's Mercedes Benz. The fuel injection wiring harness is disintegrated causing expose wiring and my car is mis-firing and shaking is uncontrollable. I'm appalled to see the complaints about the same problem I am having, and Mercedes fail to do anything about it. The Mercedes manufacture should have some kind of recall in effect because this is a expensive car parts to replace and it has to be replace because it can cause anaccident or fire. Someone should investigate this matter, its despicable. I thought this car company had some integrity but its very apparent id doesn't.

Rotted disintegrated wiring in engine compartment. Electrical problem--dashboard lights that go on and off intermittently---- ABS, clock, outside temp gauge, rear defroster. Had problems with ignition---wiring was "patched up" as best as it could be and starter had to be replaced. This is a 1995 c-280 with approx. 118000 mi. I have also had an unrelated problem which, according to my Benz mech, just like the electrical problem, is characteristic of these cars,was a disintegrating gas hose that had gasoline spewing everywhere. The three (expensive) hoses were replaced. The manufacturer needs to show responsibility for these problems. Perhaps a class action suit might stir them up.

Shortly after purchasing my Mercedes Benz c-280 from a private party, the check engine light came on. The local Mercedes Benz dealership stated it was the wiring harness and it needed to be replaced. They did not state this was a known problem with this model or year. The estimate to replace the wiring harness was $1600. Given the extent of the problem from the numerous complaints here, Mercedes Benz should issue a recall on all affected vehicles because this problem is a safety hazard not only to the driver of an affected vehicle, but to all cars on the same road as said vehicle that could stall, or worse, catch on fire while being operated!

The main wiring harness for the engine, fuel injection and rest of critical functions of the vehicle (1995 c280) has disintegrated due to a manufacturing defect. The manufacturer seemed to have used an inferior an unsuitable insulation for the wires, which, for no reason other than time, deteriorate allowing the wires to short and prevent the vehicle from functioning as well as creating a hazardous situation (stalling in freeway, fire in engine, etc). The manufacturer is aware of the defect but refuses to provide a solution or to assist in any way. We have owned this vehicle since new and have maintained it with the utmost care.

Electrical complaints in other 280 years