Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 1989 Mercedes Benz 190 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2012.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1989 Mercedes Benz 190
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
428.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 205,000 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
321.4%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Airbags
321.4%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
17.1%
Lights
17.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 288,000 mi
Electrical System
17.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 288,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 3May 2012
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 288,000 milesReseda, CAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10459004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 288,000 milesReseda, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10459004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 288,000 milesReseda, CAFire
VISIBILITY/WIPER
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10459004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HOT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE DRIVER'S RIGHT LEG WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURN. VEHICLE WAS TOW TO THE DEALER, AND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK THE HEAT WAS ON WHEN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO STEAM UP. THE HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING HOT ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE CONSUMER'S RIGHT LEG. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10117645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON OCTOBER 03,1999 THE HEATHER CORE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR WARNING EXPLODED CAUSIG 3RD AND 4TH DEGREE BURNS IN BOTH LEGS CAUSING TO LOSSE CONTROL OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND GOING INTO THE DITCH. THI ACCIDENT CAUSE ME TO LOSE ALMOST MY LIFE FOR WICH I AM VERY ENGRY. I HAVE DONE SOME RESERCH AND FOUND THAT MERCEDES KNEW ALL ALONG OF THIS DEFECT A YEAR PRIOR IF NO MORE AND FAIL TO RECALL OR ADVICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN 6,000 AUTOMOBILES HAD REPORTED ACCIDENT WORLDWIDE AND SOME HAD BEEN REPORTED CRASHES AND LOSS OF LIFE. INCLUDING THE MERCEDES BENZ THAT DIANA PRINCES OF WALES WAS KILL WHICH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT COINSIDENTIALLY IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEATHER CORE EXPLODED AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #741548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR ACCELERATED AND DROVE THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #982595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 288,000 milesReseda, CAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10459004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 288,000 milesReseda, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10459004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 288,000 milesReseda, CAFire
VISIBILITY/WIPER
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10459004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HOT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE DRIVER'S RIGHT LEG WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURN. VEHICLE WAS TOW TO THE DEALER, AND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK THE HEAT WAS ON WHEN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO STEAM UP. THE HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING HOT ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE CONSUMER'S RIGHT LEG. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10117645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greer, SC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL (3+) OCCASIONS THAT MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I HAVE BEEN FORNTUNATE THAT WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES IT RELEASED THE ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10068339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON OCTOBER 03,1999 THE HEATHER CORE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR WARNING EXPLODED CAUSIG 3RD AND 4TH DEGREE BURNS IN BOTH LEGS CAUSING TO LOSSE CONTROL OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND GOING INTO THE DITCH. THI ACCIDENT CAUSE ME TO LOSE ALMOST MY LIFE FOR WICH I AM VERY ENGRY. I HAVE DONE SOME RESERCH AND FOUND THAT MERCEDES KNEW ALL ALONG OF THIS DEFECT A YEAR PRIOR IF NO MORE AND FAIL TO RECALL OR ADVICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN 6,000 AUTOMOBILES HAD REPORTED ACCIDENT WORLDWIDE AND SOME HAD BEEN REPORTED CRASHES AND LOSS OF LIFE. INCLUDING THE MERCEDES BENZ THAT DIANA PRINCES OF WALES WAS KILL WHICH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT COINSIDENTIALLY IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEATHER CORE EXPLODED AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #741548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FUEL PRESSURE ACTUATOR IS LEAKING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #820126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
SRS LIGHT COMES ON DURING START UP AND STAYS ON. AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #526312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT CLEAN THE WINDOW OFF FUMES REMAIN ON THE WINDSHEILD, CAUSING A VISION PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #806678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN CAR IS IN ANY POSITION YOU CAN TAKE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH , THERE IS NO LOCK ON THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IT IS IN PARK . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #801057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR ACCELERATED AND DROVE THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #982595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Miam, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG. TT
NHTSA complaint #488480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Miam, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG. TT
NHTSA complaint #488480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. TT
NHTSA complaint #958856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.