Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Mercedes-Benz C220, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 77 | 65% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 6% |
| Air bags | 5 | 4% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 3% |
| Visibility | 3 | 3% |
| Tires | 2 | 2% |
| Structure | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
| Air bags | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 WIRI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
HIGH VOLTAGE WIRING HARNESS SHEATHING GONE. CAR WILL NOT START. IN GARAGE FOUND THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 FA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I STARTED MY CAR AND BEGAN DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS GOING ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHUT DOWN; LIKE THE POWER WAS SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. THEN, LIKE A CHILD FLIPPING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF, THE CAR BEG
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS CHANGING MY OIL AND CHECKING MY LEVEL AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A SPARK AND THEN FIRE BUT I TOOK IT OUT FAST WITH SAND.IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS THEY WERE ALL CRACKED AND SOME OF IT ARE DISINTEGRATING.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 NUME
NHTSA complaint: Engine
MY VEHICLE HAS THE FAULTY WIRING HARNESS PREVALENT IN ALL THESE CARS DURING THE MID TO LATE NINETIES. IT HAS EXHIBITED MANY OF THE SIGNS MENTIONED BY NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OVER THE YEARS SUCH AS: ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES C-220. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS N
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 51 | average |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 77 of them (65%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 65/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.