FaultScore report
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 1992 Mercedes Benz 300 Series with NHTSA between 2003 and 2012. The largest single group is the electrical system.
17
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
130,024 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 120,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 143,137 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 215,279 mi
Median failure at 94,546 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS GOING WEST ON VINEYARD AND 10TH ST, A CAR TRAVELING (65MPH) SOUTH ON 10TH ST HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PUSHING THE CAR INTO A POLE DAMAGING THE LEFT FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #10469055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS GOING WEST ON VINEYARD AND 10TH ST, A CAR TRAVELING (65MPH) SOUTH ON 10TH ST HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PUSHING THE CAR INTO A POLE DAMAGING THE LEFT FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #10469055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS OF THE 1992 W140 MERCEDES BENZ 300SD SHORTED OUT AND CAUSE A FIRE INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I SHUT OF THE POWER SOURCE AND NOW MY CAR IS WORTHLESS SINCE THE WIRING IS BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10259977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I BOUGHT THE CAR USED.... I NOW KNOW WHY THE MAN WAS SO EAGER TO SELL AT SUCH A REASONABLE PRICE. CAR CONTINUES TO STALL ON ME, AFTER LETTING IT SIT AND COOL FOR APPROX. 20+ MINS IT WILL USUALLY START. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ON FIRE, BY THE TIME I GOT PULLED OVER, THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF SMOKE. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ANYTHING OVER 5-10 MINS IT SMELLS AS IF IT WERE ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10209057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE GUY SOLD TO ME WITH IT NOT RUNNING HE SAID HE HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED AND IT STILL DON'T RUN 700 WAS SPENT I HAVE RECITE ITS A 1992 300SE THIS IS SICK THIS IS WHAT [XXX] TOLD HIM AND IT STILL DON'T RUN SO NOW WHAT? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10488025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS GOING WEST ON VINEYARD AND 10TH ST, A CAR TRAVELING (65MPH) SOUTH ON 10TH ST HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PUSHING THE CAR INTO A POLE DAMAGING THE LEFT FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #10469055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS GOING WEST ON VINEYARD AND 10TH ST, A CAR TRAVELING (65MPH) SOUTH ON 10TH ST HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PUSHING THE CAR INTO A POLE DAMAGING THE LEFT FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #10469055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
WE DEPARTED FROM HOME AND DROVE AT THE LOCAL SPEED OF 45-55 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AND PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. WE DROVE ON THE FREEWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AT 65 MPH WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THIS WAS WITHOUT WARNING AS THERE HAD BEEN NO SIGNS OR FEELING OF A FLAT TIRE. TIRES' PRESSURES ARE CHECKED PERIODICALLY, ABOUT ONCE EVERY MONTH. WE ALWAYS ENSURE TIRES ARE VISUALLY INSPECTED APPROPRIATELY PRIOR TO DEPARTING OUR HOME. THE TIRES WERE INTACT WITH NO VISUAL FLAWS PRIOR TO LEAVING HOME THIS MORNING. THE EXPLOSION CAUSED THE TIRE TREADS TO SEPARATE FROM BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS. AFTER THE EXPLOSION, WE COULD STILL SEE THAT THE SIDEWALLS WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE RIM. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED FROM THE EXPLOSION. ON A BUSY FREEWAY, AN EXPLOSION LIKE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED MUCH MORE EXTREME AND SERIOUS DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10468174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE THE ISSUE IS FROM THE RESULTS OF A DRYROTTED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. DURING THE TIME PERIOD THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED MERCEDES BENZ USED A BIODEGRATABLE MATERIAL FOR THE WIRE COVERINGS. THIS MATERIAL THROUGH THE YEARS COULD NOT WITHSTAND THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES KNOW ABOUT AND HAS SINCE CHANGED THE WIRING HARNESS COVER MATERIAL A FEW YEAR LATER. ALL THEIR MECHANICS KNOW THIS AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON EVERY MERCEDES FORUM THAT I HAVE FOUND. I AM TALKING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF OCCURRENCES RECORDED. THE REDESIGNED HARNESS IS A $600.00 ITEM WHICH IS WHY MERCEDES TENDS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT THIS AS A RECALL ITEM. THIS ITEM MUST BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE IF GONE UNATTENDED IT BECOMES A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD WHICH IS ALSO WELL DOCUMENTED AND WAS MENTIONED BY MY MECHANIC. HE ALSO STATED THAT MOST DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT WORK ON THESE CARS UNLESS THE ENGINE HARNESS IS REPLACED FIRST. THIS IS BECAUSE THE CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DIAGNOSIS IF THE WIRING IS NOT IN A GOOD WORKING CONDITION DUE TO THE FACT THAT FALSE SIGNALS ARE SENT TO THEIR DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. MY MECHANIC ALSO PROVIDED ME WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM HIS MERCEDES BENZ PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES MANUAL. IT IS RETYPED AND QUOTED EXACTLY AS THE MERCEDES BENZ DOCUMENTATION STATES. PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & DOCUMENTATION VISUAL INSPECTION 1) VISUALLY INSPECT ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING, LOOKING FOR CHAFTED, STRETCHED, CUT OR PINCHED WIRING. ENSURE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FIT TIGHTLY AND ARE NOT CORRODED. CHECK FOR LOOSE OR DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ON STARTER MOTOR. ENSURE ALL VACUUM HOSES ARE PROPERLY? NOW I ASK YOU; IF THIS IS NOT KNOWN BY MERCEDES BENZ TO BE AN ISSUE THEN WHY IS IT THE VERY FIRST THING IN THEIR PRELIMINARY INSPECTION THAT THEY HAVE ALL OF THEIR TRAINED MECHANICS LOOK FOR?
NHTSA complaint #10269282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 05/19/09 *BF THE ISSUE WAS A DRY ROTTED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. DURING THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED, MERCEDES BENZ USED A BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL FOR THE WIRE COVERINGS. THE MATERIAL THROUGH OUT THE YEARS COULD NOT WITHSTAND THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD. UPDATED 05/27/09.
NHTSA complaint #10268253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 05/19/09 *BF THE ISSUE WAS A DRY ROTTED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. DURING THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED, MERCEDES BENZ USED A BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL FOR THE WIRE COVERINGS. THE MATERIAL THROUGH OUT THE YEARS COULD NOT WITHSTAND THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD. UPDATED 05/27/09.
NHTSA complaint #10268253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS OF THE 1992 W140 MERCEDES BENZ 300SD SHORTED OUT AND CAUSE A FIRE INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I SHUT OF THE POWER SOURCE AND NOW MY CAR IS WORTHLESS SINCE THE WIRING IS BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10259977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I BOUGHT THE CAR USED.... I NOW KNOW WHY THE MAN WAS SO EAGER TO SELL AT SUCH A REASONABLE PRICE. CAR CONTINUES TO STALL ON ME, AFTER LETTING IT SIT AND COOL FOR APPROX. 20+ MINS IT WILL USUALLY START. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ON FIRE, BY THE TIME I GOT PULLED OVER, THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF SMOKE. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ANYTHING OVER 5-10 MINS IT SMELLS AS IF IT WERE ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10209057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
RADIO, ALARM, BACKUP WARNING, MOON ROOF, QUIT WORKING. BATTERY DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD DIFFICULTIES STARTING AND RUNNING ROUGH. BOTH WIRING HARNESSES HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10186762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RADIO, ALARM, BACKUP WARNING, MOON ROOF, QUIT WORKING. BATTERY DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD DIFFICULTIES STARTING AND RUNNING ROUGH. BOTH WIRING HARNESSES HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10186762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1992 MERCEDES 300E, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILING CAUSING CAR TO SHORT OUT, STALL, NOT DRIVABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10163361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I HAVE A 1992 300CE AND I WAS INFORMED LAST WEEK BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRACKING AND PEELING. AFTER READING THE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A FIRE I AM CONCERN. THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS THE CAR ALARM, RADIO, AND LEFT HEADLIGHT SOCKET PLUG IS DAMAGE DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAULT. I AM CONSIDERING REPLACING THE WIRE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10152349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I HAVE A 1992 300CE MERCEDES BENZ. THE WIRING HARNESS IS BAD AND I'M TOLD THAT THE PLASTIC WAS MADE OF WHAT HAS BEEN OUTLAWED. THIS MATERIAL MAY CAUSE A FIRE. WHAT IF ANYTHING CAN I DO TO REMEDY THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY AN ARM AN LEG, AS FAR AS THE MERCEDES COMPANY IS CONCERNED? HELP!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE NOTE THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT BUT IN ORDER TO PROCEED I HAD TO PUT IN A DATE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10134359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
EMISSIONS AIR PUMP SEIZED CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO MELT ALL OVER ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS. THIS IS THE THIRD KNOWN REPLACEMENT OF A SERPENTINE BELT--TWO OF WHICH WERE 16,000 MILES BETWEEN REPLACEMENTS. EMISSIONS AIR PUMP, IDLE PULLEY AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACED. THIS CAR ALSO HAS A 7 YEAR HISTORY OF RANDOM STALLING WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10014208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
EMISSIONS AIR PUMP SEIZED CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO MELT ALL OVER ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS. THIS IS THE THIRD KNOWN REPLACEMENT OF A SERPENTINE BELT--TWO OF WHICH WERE 16,000 MILES BETWEEN REPLACEMENTS. EMISSIONS AIR PUMP, IDLE PULLEY AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACED. THIS CAR ALSO HAS A 7 YEAR HISTORY OF RANDOM STALLING WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10014208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
I OWN A 1992 300TE 4MATIC MERCEDES BENZ. THE 4MATIC SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, DEALER STATES THE TRASFER CASE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE PART #124280390188 AT A COST OF $2047.50 PART ONLY. THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER NOW FOR 3 MONTHS AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10005359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.