Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1992 Mercedes Benz 300
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
520.0%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 109,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
520.0%
Median failure at 130,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
312.0%
Brakes
312.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
28.0%
Median failure at 118,152 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
28.0%
Other & Unspecified
14.0%
Tires
14.0%
Suspension
14.0%
Airbags
14.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.0%
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 1995peak 2Apr 2011
Recalls on the 1992 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Pleasanton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM BENEATH THE HOOD AND INTO THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE THE CAR NO LONGER STARTED. UPON INSPECTION ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HAD MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #10393998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eielson AFB, AKCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 25-30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #821409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON PASENGER'S COMPARTMENT 8-10 HOURS AFTER IT WAS DRIVEN.CAUSE OF FIRE APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL.
NHTSA complaint #818463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #502938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Pleasanton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM BENEATH THE HOOD AND INTO THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE THE CAR NO LONGER STARTED. UPON INSPECTION ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HAD MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #10393998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesAccokeek, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE DRIVING MY BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE REPLACED MY BATTERY TWICE IN A 2-YEAR PERIOD. INITIALLY, MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN WHILE MY CAR WAS OFF, SOMETHING WAS CONSANTLY RUNNING CAUSING MY BATTERY TO FAIL. I HAD MY NEW BATTERY REPLACED AND MY INIGNITION CHECK AND THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BATTERY REPLACED. THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. CAR IS SLOW TO START AND BATTERY LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AT INTERVALS.
NHTSA complaint #10116806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
TIRES
FAILURES OF GOODYEAR AQUATRED TIRES.*MR WHILE ON A TRIP THE TREAD OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAME LOOSE FROM THE STEEL CORD. THIS CAUSED A WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEWOUT AT THE SIDEWALL.
NHTSA complaint #10083350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesDarien, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, I SLOWED TO TURN OFF HIGHWAY. AFTER COMPLETING TURN TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR OFF ROADWAY AT IDLE RPM ONLY. CAR TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP. A PLASTIC PIECE ON THE END OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD DISINTEGRATED CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE THROTTLE LEVER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE PLASTIC PIECE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OF METAL. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A SIX LANE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED?
NHTSA complaint #10081294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FAILURE OF VEHICLE PART ON 1992 MERCEDES-BENZ 300D.*MR THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL REGARDING THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARM (VISIBILITY). *TS *JB
NHTSA complaint #10040364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FL
VISIBILITY
FAILURE OF VEHICLE PART ON 1992 MERCEDES-BENZ 300D.*MR THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL REGARDING THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARM (VISIBILITY). *TS *JB
NHTSA complaint #10040364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville Beach, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. A MECHANIC AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE. AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, STATING COULD CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION IF BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10034598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,152 milesSouth SAN Francisco, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, WHICH INCLUDED THE MOTOR.*JB PH
NHTSA complaint #10003936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRING HARNESS IS EXPOSED OUTSIDE OF HOOD AREA. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT INSULATION IS CRACKING AND FALLING OFF ALL WIRING AROUND THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #8004706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedminster, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
WHILE DRIVING WOULD HEAR METAL CLANKING NOISES. HAD VEHICLE CHECKED BY MECHANIC. WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LOSING COMPRESSION FOR DIESEL.
NHTSA complaint #888867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THERE ARE MULTIPLE MODELS OF THE SAME CAR THAT HAVE THE SAME FAILURE, PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ASAP, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCEDENT. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #744412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS IS THE SECOND 1992 300SD THAT I KNOW OF THAT HAS HAD THE SAME FAILURE, IN THE RELATED CASE MBZ REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE DUE TO FAILED HEAD GASKET AND CRANKSHAFT BEING TOO SOFT, OR NOT STRONG ENOUGH, BUT THEY REFUSE TO HELP US, HE OTHER CASE WAS AN ACQUAINTANCE FROM CONNETICUT
NHTSA complaint #732846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #727505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Levittown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT PADS REPLACED EVERY 10000 MILES AND ROTORS EVERY 20000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #714267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Randolph, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC IS REPORTING AN OVERHEATED RESISTOR FROM THE COOLING FAN WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #833227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ridgewood, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DESIGN OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ALLOWS FOR VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARD WHILE ON INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #504633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eielson AFB, AKCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 25-30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #821409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON PASENGER'S COMPARTMENT 8-10 HOURS AFTER IT WAS DRIVEN.CAUSE OF FIRE APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL.
NHTSA complaint #818463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamden, CT
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30-60 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #816534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thula Vista, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #803114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #502938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgantown, WV
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1) VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. 2) VEHICLE ALSO IS DIFFICULT IN STARTING W/TOWING TO DEALER WHICH CAN'T DUPLICATE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #980331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgantown, WV
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1) VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. 2) VEHICLE ALSO IS DIFFICULT IN STARTING W/TOWING TO DEALER WHICH CAN'T DUPLICATE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #980331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Augusta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING AND STOP AND IDLE POSITION FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE HIGH IDLE, AND THEN EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TT
NHTSA complaint #965463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Augusta, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AND STOP AND IDLE POSITION FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE HIGH IDLE, AND THEN EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TT
NHTSA complaint #965463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.