1996 Mercedes-Benz C220 electrical system problems
17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C220 — 55% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Wiring throughout vehicle is insulated with a bio-degradable plastic. Shorting out of ignition and emission looms kill many who stall on freeways and 'inconvenient spots'. The insulation flakes off like corn flakes and electrical loss in many looms disable and imperal occupants.”
filed Sep 21, 2018
“Was driving all gages went crazy started to back fire and died on the highway so I had a friend pull off the highway back to the shop the shop said the wiring haress was degraded and it cost 2,700 dollar to fix the sad thing is this car only has 30,000 mile's”
filed Oct 6, 2015
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
LI54.30-P-072145 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 10, 2020The 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).
LI82.85-P-055695 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 8, 2013
Electrical System problems in other C220 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 C220 | 30 | 57% |
| 1994 C220 | 17 | 71% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1996 Mercedes-Benz C220
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.