Kia Sephia vs Mercedes-Benz C280
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Kia Sephia
- Total complaints
- 1,679
- Avg per model year
- 189
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 4
- Most complained year
- 1998 (491)
Top problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System
Mercedes-Benz C280
- Total complaints
- 119
- Avg per model year
- 19
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 4
- Most complained year
- 2007 (56)
Top problems: Engine, Fuel/propulsion System, Engine and Engine Cooling
Complaints by model year
| Year | Kia Sephia | Mercedes-Benz C280 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 266 | 4 | ||
| 1999 | 428 | 34 | ||
| 1998 | 491 | 15 | ||
| 1997 | 205 | 7 | ||
| 1996 | 118 | 4 | ||
| 1995 | 64 | 16 | ||
| 1994 | 16 | 9 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.