1996 Mercedes-Benz C220 problems
NHTSA has received 44 complaints about the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C220, and 39% of them involve electrical system. After that come engine (14%) and fuel system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 44 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 39% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 6 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 110,000 miles 25 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 25 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 110,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 78,000 miles (11 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 6 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 81% of model years in our database.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
During vehicle front end collision there was no deployment of the air bags which resulted in injury to the consumer (attorney for consumer). *mjs
I have a 1996 mercedes benz. The car literally shuts off on the road. I have replaced maf and o2 sensors repeatedly to no avail. I'm told by my mechanic that the problem is a corroded engine wiring harness.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mercedes c220. The contact stated that the engine began to make a squeaking noise and started smoking. The vehicle stalled moments after the smoking began. The contact felt that the failure was caused by the drive belt pulley. The vehicle had not been inspected. The failure and current mileages were 75,000.
Engine wiring harness wire insulation is beginning to biodegrade and crumble apart. Car will not be able to pass emissions without a replacement part, which costs no less than $1350 (for a wire bundle and hookups that are doomed to fail again in the same way), plus 4-7 hours of labor costs. Car has less than 60k miles on it and is in otherwise great condition.