Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C280, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system6
- Suspension4
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Tires1
- Wheels1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Equipment1
- Visibility1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C280.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C280: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10186141 | NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock |
| 10186135 | If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit |
| 10181124 | Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R |
| 10167563 | The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30). |
| 10164810 | Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle |
| 10151959 | Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises |
| 10135599 | Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper |
| 10028624 | MERCEDES VEHICLE: THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) RETURN FLOW PUMP RUNNING WITHOUT CONTROL WITH CORRESPONDING FAULT CODE C1401, CLEAN AND INSULATED THE CONNECTOR FOR THE RETURN FLOW PUMP RELAY. MODELS 202 AND 208. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10022893 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / FAULT CODES FC1200 / FC1208 STORED IN ME-SFI CONTROL UNIT. MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL C230, C280, C350, SLK280, SLK350, CLK350, CLK550, E350, E550, CLS550, S600, AND SL550. EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE OR M273 ENGINE. *NJ UPDATED 8/28/08. *PE |
| 10020460 | PLAY IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. MODELS 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. MERCEDES BENZ. *KB UPDATED 5/13/09. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
PE03058 · Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleysopened 17 Dec 2003 · closed 22 Apr 2004
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation