VehicleVerdict

Mercedes-Benz C280 years to avoid

The Mercedes-Benz C280 years to avoid are 2007, 1999, 2006 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2000 is the cleanest year on record.

234

Total complaints

4

Recall campaigns

1994–2007

Years covered

3

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Mercedes-Benz C280 NHTSA complaints by model year69 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 25 complaints1996: 8 complaints1997: 8 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 45 complaints2000: 4 complaints2006: 40 complaints2007: 69 complaints
Mercedes-Benz C280 NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

C280 years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2007High complaint rate69
1999High complaint rate45
2006High complaint rate40

Every C280 year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2007avoid694
2006avoid404
200040
1999avoid450
1998210
199780
199680
1995250
1994140

Common questions

What are the worst Mercedes-Benz C280 years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the C280 years to avoid are 2007, 1999, 2006. The cleanest year on record is 2000.

What is the best year for the Mercedes-Benz C280?

By complaint volume, 2000 has the cleanest NHTSA record among C280 years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz C280 have?

Across all model years, the C280 has 4 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 234 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.