Wiring harness on my 1995 Mercedes-Benz C36 has failed, crack and disintegrated wire coverings in engine compartment.

- Austin, TX, USA

Re: case 45839 I have the engine wire harness that was taken out of the car. It is amazing that this car ran at all. I would like to send you the harness so that you can see the extent of the problem Mercedes is covering up. It cost me over $2100 to get this problem repaired by the dealer. Please let me know if I can send you the harness. Dave young

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Car started acting like it was driven by remote control. Starting stopping the engine revved up to 7000 RPM I could not hold it by the brake had to turn the car off and have it towed. Wiring harness had shorted out. I hear this may be a common problem. I'm glad I was driving instead of my 16 year old son. This could have had a much grimmer outcome.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

My 1995 Mercedes Benz C280 was running rough and stalled on the road. Brought vehicle to Mercedes dealer and found the engine wiring harness to be defective and deteriorating and crumbling cracked and exposed wires. My ignition portion failed where the wires connect to the spark plugs and high energy coils shorting out against the engine frame. Vehicle towed and technicians replaced engine harness parts plus labor $1,500. Repair bill. The harness is a manufactured dealer new item only no repair could be made as the entire wiring harness is defective and controls critical functions of the engine operation.

- Hazlet , NJ, USA

Disintegrating wiring harness on mb C280 1995. This caused my car to stop running and various other electrical faults until replaced by my mechanic - who stated "this happens to all mbs of this vintage - it was bad wiring that mb bought. Good thing you caught it because it can do more damage".

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Defective engine wiring harness has caused automobile to be inoperable and unsafe. Manufactuer is aware and will not stand behind their product. 1995 Mercedes C280.

- Lenoir City , TN, USA

I own a 1995 C280 Mercedes, previously owned by my daughter for 5 years. The car always idled rough, occasionally backfires, lacks overall power. My daughter had it to the shop numerous times and they never really diagnosed the problem. Two days ago I started it, heard a loud pop and saw smoke coming out of the hood and smelled electrical wires burning. It had to be towed to the nearest Mercedes dealer. They want a total of $3300 to repair it. The issue is the wiring harness. I have read hundreds of consumer complaints regarding this issue. In 1993-1995 C280 models Mercedes tried a new insulation covering on the wires and it does not hold up. In fact, I have seen the result in numerous pictures of the condition the wires. The insulation just desintergrates. I read that up until a few years ago Mercedes was replacing them but then they just stopped. Why isn't this an official recall failure.

- Harleysville, PA, USA

Defective engine harness causes the vehicle to lurch and stall at critical moments like when proceeding through an intersection or entering a highway. This has caused several close calls and is very dangerous. Mercedes seems to be in denial of this problem even though they are very much aware it exists. The part is approx $1,000 plus labor to fix a manufacturers defect. I understand that this has caused fires in some of these vehcles. All I want is Mercedes to hand me a new harness so I can repair my car. But if someone gets injured due to this problem.

- Walhalla, SC, USA

Failure of engine compartment wiring harness with the rotting and cracking of harness has caused engine to misfire causing rapid power loss in intersections. Shorting of connections cause ECU related malfunctions and read error codes on vehicle. Premature degradation of wiring harness.

- Flushing, NY, USA

Vehicle has had continual mechanical as well as electrical problems, details not provided.

- Los Angele, CA, USA