Most common 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 problems
Share of the 29 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz C280 complaints by model year
Best C280 years: 1995, 1997, 2006. Years to avoid: 2007, 1999. Compare all years →
2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 recalls (4)
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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
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.
What 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 owners say
Engine & cooling
I have a 2006 Mercedes C280 which I purchased almost a year ago with 57,000 miles. It currently has 73,000 miles and is having major mechanical problems which have been life threatening due to when and where they occur. 1. Loss of transmission upon acceleration. If I pull over, turn it off and restart, it will shift fine until it decides it wants to do it again and I either lose the ability to shift, or it goes into limp mode without a Check engine light. This has happened on the freeway, heavy traffic, and have been several close calls. The shop said the codes were for transmission malfunction and valve body malfunction. Just out of nowhere. 2. Check engine light goes on and off repeatedly and The plastic intake manifold needs to be replaced because it is one of the defects Mercedes was sued for on this particular year, model, and engine. …
Our car was recalled on 07/03/2008, recall #08V303000, for problems relating to a number of types of mechanical and electrical malfunctions. One was the "(3) OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND (4) THE SPEEDODOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE" This vehicle has had a malfunctioning "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT", that needs to be corrected. It prevents the car from being properly registered, and the warning being on is a distraction to drivers. It has been unresolved by Mercedes and by other mechanics who could not make the proper repair of the "Check Engine Light" issue that was listed in the recall. Mercedes has failed to make the repair, associated with this recall and states that the recall #08V303000 of 07/03/2008 is expired. The car had had recent additional recall work done, and this problem was brought up, but not addressed nor corrected by Mercedes. …
Transmission & drivetrain
I have a 2006 Mercedes C280 which I purchased almost a year ago with 57,000 miles. It currently has 73,000 miles and is having major mechanical problems which have been life threatening due to when and where they occur. 1. Loss of transmission upon acceleration. If I pull over, turn it off and restart, it will shift fine until it decides it wants to do it again and I either lose the ability to shift, or it goes into limp mode without a Check engine light. This has happened on the freeway, heavy traffic, and have been several close calls. The shop said the codes were for transmission malfunction and valve body malfunction. Just out of nowhere. 2. Check engine light goes on and off repeatedly and The plastic intake manifold needs to be replaced because it is one of the defects Mercedes was sued for on this particular year, model, and engine. …
While trying to merge on the highway the car response slowly when trying to accelerate to highway speed the engine over rev's but no power the same happens when changing lanes. While reversing out of a driveway the car locked up both the engine and steering wheel would not I had to turn in on and off several times and the put it back in drive before I was able to finally reverse this incident placed my life in danger because when the car locked up half of it was on the driveway and the other half in the street impeding traffic. I am nervous about driving this car because it doesn't respond as quickly as it should which could cause an accident.
Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH and the vehicle in front stopped as a result the contact rear-ended the vehicle. The contact stated that the front passenger and driver's side air bags were deployed with excessive force. The contact stated that the front driver's side and passenger side headrest restraint air bags were deployed. The contact stated that the driver in the vehicle in front was transported to the hospital by ambulance for a back injury. The contact stated that her son sought medical attention a month later for eye irritation. The front passenger sustained eye injuries that lead to blindness which eventually lead to his passing. The driver sustained burns on both arms and fingertips that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene. …
SRS light went on. Restraint malfunction message flashed across screen. Code reader pulls up dealer recall for driver airbag possibly exploding due to build up of pressure. My VIN is not included and dealer will not honor. Stuck with unsafe car or HUGE expense out of pocket.
2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 a good car?
Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 C280 rates average: 21% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C280 at the same age. It is one of the best C280 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280?
The engine & cooling — 13 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (6) and air bags (5).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280, the most recent from November 19, 2024 (sun/moon roof assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz C280?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 1997 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007 and 1999. See the full Mercedes-Benz C280 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz C280 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 94,000 miles; 7% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.