1995 Mercedes-Benz C220 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Mercedes-Benz C220, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical3046.9%
- Engine812.5%
- Driver assistance69.4%
- Airbags46.3%
- Fuel system46.3%
- Visibility34.7%
- Suspension34.7%
- Interior & seats23.1%
- Body & structure23.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.6%
- Tires & wheels11.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AT START UP AND ALSO DURING DRIVING IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING THE DAY WHILE STATIONARY, ON A CITY STREET, OR TURNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. I'VE OWNED THIS MERCEDES FOR YEARS AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW SERIOUS THIS PROBLEM WAS UNTIL I SPOKE WITH MY MECHANIC RECENTLY.
HIGH VOLTAGE WIRING HARNESS SHEATHING GONE. CAR WILL NOT START. IN GARAGE FOUND THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
HIGH VOLTAGE WIRING HARNESS SHEATHING GONE. CAR WILL NOT START. IN GARAGE FOUND THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C220. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE POORLY DESIGNED WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO MANUFACTURES DEFECT OF BIODEGRADABLE SHIELDING ... IT IS THE HARNESS FROM THE E.C.M. TO THE ENGINE... IF THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED DURING THIS FAILURE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO EITHER THE DRIVER/PASSENGER OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD ... I HAVE OWNED OLDER M.B. AND NEVER SEEN THIS KIND OF WIRING IN MY 10+ YEARS OF DRIVING AND REPAIRING THESE KIND OF CARS... THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO MBUSA AND THEY TRIED TO SAY IT IS DUE TO NON MAINTENANCE THROUGH M.B..... THIS PART SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN THE LIFE OF THE CAR AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE...WHAT DID I MISS ? HOW DO YOU DO MAINTENANCE ON A WIRE ? HOW?... THIS ISSUE WAS FOUND TO HAPPEN OFF THE LINE AND THEY PRODUCED THIS CRAP...RECALL/REPAIR THANK YOU PLEASE FIX OR RECALL THIS THERE ARE OTHERS WHO TRUSTED THEIR FAMILY'S TO THIS COMPANY AND SOME ARE STILL UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND ARE IN DANGER... *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON SUDDENLY VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CONSUMER NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE REACHED OVER 110 MPH BEFORE IT COULD BE STOPPED. CONSUMER HAD TO ROLL THE VEHICLE IN THE MUD TO SLOW IT DOWN AND STOP IT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C220. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY SECURE HER. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE FUEL LINE DUE TO A LEAK. THERE WERE ALSO REPAIRS MADE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA TO WARRANT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
C220 WAS PROCEEDING NORTH WHEN STRUCK IN THE CENTER FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE FRONT BY A SECOND VEHICLE MOVING SOUTH. SECOND VEHICLE WAS PROCEEDING EAST WHEN STRUCK BY THIRD VEHICLE WHICH PROPELLED SECOND VEHICLE INTO C220. ESTIMATED SPEEDS OF OTHER VEHICLES WERE: 2ND = 40 MPH AND 3RD = 50 MPH. IN THE C220 THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. THE AIRBAGS ON THE OTHER VEHICLES DEPLOYED. IS THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT FOR THE C220 CORRECT?*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
HIGH VOLTAGE WIRING HARNESS SHEATHING GONE. CAR WILL NOT START. IN GARAGE FOUND THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C220. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY SECURE HER. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE FUEL LINE DUE TO A LEAK. THERE WERE ALSO REPAIRS MADE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA TO WARRANT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE WIPERS FROZE. THE HANDLE HAD BECOME VERY HOT TO TOUCH AND WOULD NOT TURN. THIS CAUSED SKIDDING OFF THE ROAD. THE DEFECTIVE LOCKS COULD LOCK WITH THE KEY BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. *SC
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHUT DOWN. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRACTURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM. DESIGN DEFECT RESULTING IN LATENT INTERIOR CORROSION THAT ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN THIS CRITICAL PART SEPARATING INTO TWO PIECES, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO PARTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE CAR. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT WOULD DOUBTLESS HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE LOSS OF CONTROL AND STEERING. IT MAY WELL HAVE RESULTED IN FATALITIES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ C220. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE LOWER SUPPORT ARM RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE TO LITERALLY FALL OFF WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE WIPERS FROZE. THE HANDLE HAD BECOME VERY HOT TO TOUCH AND WOULD NOT TURN. THIS CAUSED SKIDDING OFF THE ROAD. THE DEFECTIVE LOCKS COULD LOCK WITH THE KEY BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. *SC
CONSUMER STATES THAT HOOD LATCH DOES NOT LOCK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE HOOD LATCH FAILED DUE TO A MINOR REAR END ACCIDENT. *SCC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE WIPERS FROZE. THE HANDLE HAD BECOME VERY HOT TO TOUCH AND WOULD NOT TURN. THIS CAUSED SKIDDING OFF THE ROAD. THE DEFECTIVE LOCKS COULD LOCK WITH THE KEY BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. *SC
LEAK COMES INTO THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FIREWALL, ON TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, THE SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK AT 0 BUT FUNCTIONS ONLY WHEN THE CAR REACHES 40 MPH OR SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T FUNCTION AT ALL. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE TREAD IS SEPARATING ON ALL FOUR TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: LMP C PXBU TIRE SIZE: 195/65R15 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .