How many recalls does the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?

The 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign on record.

How do I check if my 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Of 7 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 65,731 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 01V366000 2001-12-04 65,731 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HOPPECKE BATTERIES. THE BATTERY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE COULD BE LESS THAN NEEDED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ELECTROLYTE LEVELS.

Consequence

THE LOW ELECTROLYTE LEVELS RESULT IN ACCELERATED BATTERY GRID GROWTH, INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR INTER-CELL RUPTURE AND SPARKING, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERIES, INCLUDING FLUID LEVELS. SOME BATTERIES MAY BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY, ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. IN ADDITION TO THE BATTERY INSPECTION, THE ADDITION OF LABELS IN THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WILL BE INCLUDED TO CONSPICUOUSLY REMIND OWNERS AS WELL AS DEALER AND…

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

CHILD SEAT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

SUSPENSION

SUSPENSION:REAR

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Total complaints7

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Was driving car and heard loud noise got out and saw front right side was sitting lower on one side. Car pulls hard to the right. Had my mechanic inspect. Concluded that the cup holder that holds the vehicles springs was rusted out. I have researched this issue and seems to be a common problem and…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2014-02-25

“While driving airbag warning light came on and then the airbag exploded . There was no accident. The vehicle was at the dealer at the time the airbag exploded. Manufacturer has been notified. *ak”

AIR BAGS · reported 1999-03-13

“Gas gauge sensor failed.”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · reported 1998-11-17

“Heat shield makes noise when vehicle is turned off, due to design.”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

“Rear suspension bouncing causing difficulty in maintaining control.”

SUSPENSION:REAR

“Window failed. Nlm”

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

“Britax roundabout car seat does not fit into mercedes c class car. *ak”

CHILD SEAT

Defect investigations

Investigation PE01029 Opened 2001-07-31 · closed 2001-12-13

BATTERY EXPLOSION

Investigation PE03058 Opened 2003-12-17 · closed 2004-04-22

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.