Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1991 Mercedes Benz 190E
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
325.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
216.7%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Airbags
216.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Seat Belts
18.3%
Tires
18.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
18.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Electrical System
18.3%
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 1998peak 2Jun 2008
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Palm Springs, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING. WHEN I ACTIVATED IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD WHICH BLEW OFF MOST OF THE INSULATION LINING AND IGNITED A FIRE AROUND THE AIR INTAKE COVER. *AK I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH FAILED. THIS AND THE FULE PUM WERE REPLACED BUT NOW VEHICLE WILL INTERMITENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN IDLING AND OR MOVING AT AROUND 25MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10194701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING. WHEN I ACTIVATED IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD WHICH BLEW OFF MOST OF THE INSULATION LINING AND IGNITED A FIRE AROUND THE AIR INTAKE COVER. *AK I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH FAILED. THIS AND THE FULE PUM WERE REPLACED BUT NOW VEHICLE WILL INTERMITENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN IDLING AND OR MOVING AT AROUND 25MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10194701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cataula, GACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH CONSUMER HAD A HIGH IMPACT HEAD-ON COLLISON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SID AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS JUST AWARE THAT AIRS BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #879498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEATER CORE IN THE VEHICLE RUPTURED, CAUSING BOILING HOT COOLANT TO POUR ONTO THE DRIVER'S FEET. THE BOILING COOLANT CAUSED BURNS TO THE DRIVER'S FOOT ANKLE AND LEG.
NHTSA complaint #734009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hixson, TN1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHILE TRANSPORTING FOUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, I HEARD A LONG BANGING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 6 FEET AND STOPPED. AFTER THE CAR STOPPED, THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING SEVERE BRUSING, ABRASIONS, AND BURNS TO MY LEFT ARM. CLIFFORD BLAKEMORE, SERVICE MANAGER AT LONG OF CHATTANOOGA CONFIRMED THAT THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY UNDER THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED AND AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD STOPPED. HE STATED THAT THE FLEXDISK WHICH CONNECTS THE DRIVE SHAFT TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBABLY CAME LOOSE AND RESULTED IN THE DRIVE SHAFT HITTING THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL. THIS WOULD HAVE EXPLAINED THE LOUD, BANGING NOISE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED FROM ANOTHER SOURCE THAT THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIRBAG RESIDES ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAG COULD HAVE DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION RESULTING IN MUCH MORE SEVERE INJURIES OR EVEN FATALITIES. I QUESTION WHETHER THE AIRBAG COULD ACCIDDENTLY BE DEPLOYED BY THE CAR STRIKING AN OBJECT ON THE ROAD OR HITTING A POTHOLE AND BELIEVE THE DESIGN OF THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT POSES A SERIOUS THREAT.
NHTSA complaint #728762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100,000 milesWoonsocket, RI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1991 MERCEDES 190E IDLED OUT OF CONTROL. CANT FIND ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR OR HOW TO FIX IT. ITS A HAZARD AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHEN IT IDLES UP SO HIGH, THE CAR ACTUALLY PEELS OUT IF YOU LET YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING IT TO A FULL STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10231442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING. WHEN I ACTIVATED IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD WHICH BLEW OFF MOST OF THE INSULATION LINING AND IGNITED A FIRE AROUND THE AIR INTAKE COVER. *AK I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH FAILED. THIS AND THE FULE PUM WERE REPLACED BUT NOW VEHICLE WILL INTERMITENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN IDLING AND OR MOVING AT AROUND 25MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10194701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING. WHEN I ACTIVATED IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD WHICH BLEW OFF MOST OF THE INSULATION LINING AND IGNITED A FIRE AROUND THE AIR INTAKE COVER. *AK I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH FAILED. THIS AND THE FULE PUM WERE REPLACED BUT NOW VEHICLE WILL INTERMITENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN IDLING AND OR MOVING AT AROUND 25MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10194701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND HAS REPLACED THREE HEAD GASKETS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #898574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND HAS REPLACED THREE HEAD GASKETS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #898574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Altos, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC NECK FOR UPPER RADIATOR HOSE FRACTURED WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT.
NHTSA complaint #744932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cataula, GACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH CONSUMER HAD A HIGH IMPACT HEAD-ON COLLISON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SID AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS JUST AWARE THAT AIRS BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #879498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MECEDES BENZ 190E PRESENTS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANTS AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. ENGINE STALLS. STALLING OCCURS OUT IN TRAFFIC. THE AUTO IS EITHER MAKING A TURN AT AN INTERSECTION OR STALLS WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. WHEN FIRST THE PROBLEM WAS ENCOUNTERED, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED COMPONENTS, BUT TO NO AVAIL.(WE PAID FOR THESE) WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE DEALER WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO JUST KEEP REPLACING PARTS UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED ( THE COST OF THESE EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS LABOR IN & OUT, IF THE PART DID NOT WORK, WOULD FALL ON US). WE HAVE REPLACED PARTS WITH STILL NO CURE FOR THE STALLING PROBLEM.WE HAVE FOLLOWED ALL THE MANUFACTURE'S OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PROCEEDURES.THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TWICE BY ME. ONCE THEY SAID THAT THE SAN DIEGO REP. WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER ON ANOTHER OCASSION I LEFT MESSAGES THAT WERE NOT RETURNED. I AM A RETIRED TEACHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND LOOSE ALL THAT HAS BEEN INVESTED IN THIS AUTO. MORE THAN THAT, THE AUTO IS A DANGER TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #739214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEATER CORE IN THE VEHICLE RUPTURED, CAUSING BOILING HOT COOLANT TO POUR ONTO THE DRIVER'S FEET. THE BOILING COOLANT CAUSED BURNS TO THE DRIVER'S FOOT ANKLE AND LEG.
NHTSA complaint #734009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hixson, TN1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHILE TRANSPORTING FOUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, I HEARD A LONG BANGING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 6 FEET AND STOPPED. AFTER THE CAR STOPPED, THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING SEVERE BRUSING, ABRASIONS, AND BURNS TO MY LEFT ARM. CLIFFORD BLAKEMORE, SERVICE MANAGER AT LONG OF CHATTANOOGA CONFIRMED THAT THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY UNDER THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED AND AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD STOPPED. HE STATED THAT THE FLEXDISK WHICH CONNECTS THE DRIVE SHAFT TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBABLY CAME LOOSE AND RESULTED IN THE DRIVE SHAFT HITTING THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL. THIS WOULD HAVE EXPLAINED THE LOUD, BANGING NOISE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED FROM ANOTHER SOURCE THAT THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIRBAG RESIDES ON TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAG COULD HAVE DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION RESULTING IN MUCH MORE SEVERE INJURIES OR EVEN FATALITIES. I QUESTION WHETHER THE AIRBAG COULD ACCIDDENTLY BE DEPLOYED BY THE CAR STRIKING AN OBJECT ON THE ROAD OR HITTING A POTHOLE AND BELIEVE THE DESIGN OF THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT POSES A SERIOUS THREAT.
NHTSA complaint #728762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. HOWEVER, CONSUMER KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE.TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE AFINITY.
NHTSA complaint #867230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Matt, KY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #527771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.