Owners have filed 32 complaints
about the 1991 Mercedes Benz 300 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2009.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
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 300
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
721.9%
Engine & Cooling
515.6%
Airbags
412.5%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
39.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Steering
39.4%
Electrical System
39.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 119,000 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
26.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Seats
13.1%
Seat Belts
13.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Tires
13.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
13.1%
Body & Structure
13.1%
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.
May 1996peak 12Oct 2009
Recalls on the 1991 Mercedes Benz 300
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
96V175000
VISIBILITY
IF ONE OF THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARMS BECOMES MISALIGNED, THE WIPER BALDE CAN LODGE IN THE GROOVE UNDER THE HEADLAMP. IF THE WASHERS ARE ACTIVATED WITH THE WIPER BLADE IN THE MISALIGNED AND LODGED POSITION, THE WASHER PUMP WILL RUN CONTINUOUSLY EXPELLING ALL AVAILABLE FLUID.
Risk: PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
93V095000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DUE TO HEAT EFFECTS, THE THROTTLE BUSHING LOCATED ON THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK, CAUSING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE TO SEPARATE.
Risk: IF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE SEPARATES, THE ENGINE WILL RETURNTO IDLE SPEED, AND REMAIN AT IDLE, WITH NO ACCELERATION ABILITY. LOSS OF ENGINESPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19930766,731 units in Canada
Engine
THE THROTTLE BUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL BOWDEN CABLE COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK DUE TO HEAT EFFECTS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE WILL RETURN TO IDLE AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL WILL BE LOST. CORRECTION: THE THROTTLE BUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL BOWDEN CABLE WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE MADE OF MORE HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Northwalds, PAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO UP TO 80 TO 100 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER GEAR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP ALSO, BRAKE SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #834365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northwalds, PAFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO UP TO 80 TO 100 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER GEAR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP ALSO, BRAKE SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #834365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willowbrook, IL1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT A FRONTAL IMPACT, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #823770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Richey, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 35 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #804586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Richey, FLCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 35 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #804586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
,VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPPED 25MPH, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #812540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 119,000 milesCaledonia, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 1991 300SL BENZ HAS HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED PER MB DEALER BECAUSE IT'S GOING BAD AND DECOMPOSING CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE PROBLEM. THIS AFTER A NO START PROBLEM AND A MONTH IN THE SHOP. AND THEY NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. NOW , AFTER REPLACING THE HARNESS , THEY ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE HARNESS IS A "GREEN WIRING HARNESS" AS REQUIRED BE GERMANY TO ITS AUTO MAKERS IN 1991-1996. THE DECOMPOSING OF THE WIRING CAUSES A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10286243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sussex, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE DRIVE TRAIN ON THE CONSUMERS 1991 MERCEDES BENZ 300 LOCKED UP. *JB THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN TOTALLY ISOLATED TO THE CONTROL UNIT. THE TOTAL LOCK UP OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OR THE PROBLEM MAY BE ELSEWHERE CAUSED BY A CERTAIN SET OF CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10127907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Monte, CA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN 1991, MERCEDES BENZ, 300D 2.5 TURBO, RIGHT REAR GOODYEAR ROAD HANDLER VOYAGER LX TIRE SIZE P195/60R15, DOT PJUNYBLR319 EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES ON THE TIRES, AND THEY WERE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
POWER TRAIN
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PROCEEDING FORWARD FROM A FULL STOP AND IS TURNING TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT THERE IS A SERIOUS VIBRATION AND SHUTTERING PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY FRONT-END ALIGNMENTS AND HAS HAD THE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED TWICE, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
REPLACED RIGHT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
FRONT HALF SHAFT BOOTS LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
DEALER REPLACED C/V BOOTS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
POWER TRAIN
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PROCEEDING FORWARD FROM A FULL STOP AND IS TURNING TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT THERE IS A SERIOUS VIBRATION AND SHUTTERING PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY FRONT-END ALIGNMENTS AND HAS HAD THE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED TWICE, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
REPLACED RIGHT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
FRONT HALF SHAFT BOOTS LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
DEALER REPLACED C/V BOOTS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #555952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fair Oaks, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING AFTER ABOUT THE FIRST 5 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE DIES IT CANNOT BE RESTARTED WITHOUT TURNING THE KEY OFF WHICH LOCKS THE STEERING WHILE YOUR STILL MOVING. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN BE HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE IN THE COMPUTER FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #714923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING ERRODED THROUGH, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #837938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northwalds, PAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO UP TO 80 TO 100 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER GEAR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP ALSO, BRAKE SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #834365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northwalds, PAFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO UP TO 80 TO 100 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER GEAR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP ALSO, BRAKE SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #834365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willowbrook, IL1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT A FRONTAL IMPACT, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #823770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Downers GR, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEATS ADJUSTS ITSELF WITHOUT OPERATOR INPUT OR CONTROL. REPLACED MICROPROCESSOR.
NHTSA complaint #535047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Richey, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 35 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #804586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Richey, FLCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT AT 35 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #804586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burke, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET DEVELOPED A LEAK THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PISTON, A CYLINDER WALL, AND THE HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #517203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
,VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPPED 25MPH, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #812540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.