2006 Mercedes Benz C280 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (6) · Power Train (4) · Air Bags (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz C280 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2021-03-19 · campaign 21V196000 · 11,356 vehicles
Defect: 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. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040012.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Service bulletins (60)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 60 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-05 · Unknown Or Other“broken rear subframe because of rust and corrosion with perforation. manufacturer refused to cover the repair.…”
2025-06-25 · Structure:body“while driving at approximately 70 mph on a highway, the rear subframe of the vehicle suddenly and catastrophically failed. this caused the vehicle to fishtail violently and nearly led to a serious highway accident. i was able to regain control and pull off the road safely, but the vehicle was no longer drivable and had to be towed. an inspection b…”
2025-06-19 · Seat Belts“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. …”
2025-05-29 · Engine“the balance shaft sprocket in this car needs to be recalled. it has has known issues since it came out nearly 20 years ago. it can cause your whole engine to blow if not fixed. the fix is often more than the value of the car, around $7000. it is ridiculous. the part was not properly heat treated during manufacture which causes it to fail prematurel…”
2023-12-13 · Unknown Or Other“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…”
2022-08-15 · Power Train“i purchased my car in 2018. the balance shaft gear has a recall and the manufacturer is not honoring the recall without an extension from the merecedes benz company. as well my moon roof need the bonding repair and it is showing a recall in the system…”
2022-07-15 · Air Bags · 100,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 hea…”
2021-11-15 · Unknown Or Other“i just purchased this vehicle and it says it has a recall on the sliding window please help me get it fixed…”
2021-11-06 · Power Train“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 …”
2021-07-05 · Engine“we have 71,000 miles on our 2006 mercedes benz c280. before christmas, the engine light starts going on and the engine starts sounding rough and jerking. we take it into mercedes benz and they diagnose a cam shaft issue. it turns out all 2006 mercedes benz c280 have the same problem with the same mileage. this car is a safety hazard and needs to…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.