Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 1995 Mercedes Benz 300 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2009.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 43
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz 300. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 90
17.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1995 compares with every other Mercedes Benz 300
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1995 Mercedes Benz 300
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
730.4%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 163,756 mi
Brakes
417.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain
313.0%
Lights
28.7%
Other & Unspecified
14.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
14.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.3%
Suspension
14.3%
Steering
14.3%
Engine & Cooling
14.3%
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.
Jun 1995peak 3Jan 2009
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Round Rock, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL HARNESS ON 1995 E320 MERCEDES ARE FLAWED BEYOND BELIEF. THE ENTIRE HARNESS BUNDLE WHICH INCLUDES HIGH VOLTAGE LINES FOR IGNITION COILS AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM HAS A SEVERE FIRE PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WIRE INSULATION IS INFERIOR IN MATERIAL QUALITY. THE INSULATION ALONG THESE WIRE IS CRACKING AT A RATE OF EVERY 1/4 INCH, THROUGOUT THE ENTIRE HARNESS. HIGH VOLTAGE COPPER WIRE ARE MAKING CONTACT, THESE WIRE RUN ON TOP OF THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM. ALL AUSTIN BASED MERCEDES SHOPS INFORM ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL, BUT MERCEDES WILL NOT ADMIT TO IT. THIS PROBLEM IS AS DANGEROUS AS ANY FACING THE CURRENT BOARD AND TO HAVE MERCEDES BENZ ACT LIKE IT IS NOT A PROBLEM IS JUST A BUNCH OF FUEY. PLEASE SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THIS WIRING HARNESS AND I WILL ASSURE YOU THAT THIS WILL BE A RECALL EVENT ONCE YOU SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THESE HARNESS'S. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #737212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED , TOTAL VEHICLE FAILURE.SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE HOOD BURSTING INTO FLAMES . NO DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, BUT TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, INCLUDING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #836664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, TXCrash1 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO KEEP GLASS CLEAN, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #501182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 155,000 milesPerkasie, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1995 MERCEDES BENZ E300 DIESEL, WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE. INSULATION IS FAILING AND WIRES ARE EXPOSED. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10253696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 163,756 milesSlidell, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1995 E300D WIRING HARNESS IS DISINTEGRATING WITH RESPECT TO THE WIRE INSULATION. WHEN THE WIRE IS FLEXED DURING NORMAL MAINTENANCE THE INSULATION FLAKES OFF LEAVING EXPOSED COPPER WIRE THE CAN SHORT OUT CRITICAL COMPONENT'S AND CAUSE A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10166691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,491 milesBahama,, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10144877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH AND RAW GAS WAS GOING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED THE INSULATION AND CAUSE THE WIRES TO TOUCH. THIS CAUSED THE #6 INJECTOR TO SPRAY TO MUCH FUEL. THE WIRES THAT TOUCHED ALSO BURNED OUT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE CRANK CASE AND THE EXHAUST WERE FILLED WITH GAS, AND STILL NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS A DIAGNOSTIC DIRECTORY # AF07.00-U-3400A ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. I FELL THAT MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD BE RESPONSABLE AND THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THIS CARS BECAUSE OF THE OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #742685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH AND RAW GAS WAS GOING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED THE INSULATION AND CAUSE THE WIRES TO TOUCH. THIS CAUSED THE #6 INJECTOR TO SPRAY TO MUCH FUEL. THE WIRES THAT TOUCHED ALSO BURNED OUT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE CRANK CASE AND THE EXHAUST WERE FILLED WITH GAS, AND STILL NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS A DIAGNOSTIC DIRECTORY # AF07.00-U-3400A ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. I FELL THAT MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD BE RESPONSABLE AND THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THIS CARS BECAUSE OF THE OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #742685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH AND RAW GAS WAS GOING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED THE INSULATION AND CAUSE THE WIRES TO TOUCH. THIS CAUSED THE #6 INJECTOR TO SPRAY TO MUCH FUEL. THE WIRES THAT TOUCHED ALSO BURNED OUT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE CRANK CASE AND THE EXHAUST WERE FILLED WITH GAS, AND STILL NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS A DIAGNOSTIC DIRECTORY # AF07.00-U-3400A ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. I FELL THAT MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD BE RESPONSABLE AND THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THIS CARS BECAUSE OF THE OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #742685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Round Rock, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL HARNESS ON 1995 E320 MERCEDES ARE FLAWED BEYOND BELIEF. THE ENTIRE HARNESS BUNDLE WHICH INCLUDES HIGH VOLTAGE LINES FOR IGNITION COILS AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM HAS A SEVERE FIRE PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WIRE INSULATION IS INFERIOR IN MATERIAL QUALITY. THE INSULATION ALONG THESE WIRE IS CRACKING AT A RATE OF EVERY 1/4 INCH, THROUGOUT THE ENTIRE HARNESS. HIGH VOLTAGE COPPER WIRE ARE MAKING CONTACT, THESE WIRE RUN ON TOP OF THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM. ALL AUSTIN BASED MERCEDES SHOPS INFORM ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL, BUT MERCEDES WILL NOT ADMIT TO IT. THIS PROBLEM IS AS DANGEROUS AS ANY FACING THE CURRENT BOARD AND TO HAVE MERCEDES BENZ ACT LIKE IT IS NOT A PROBLEM IS JUST A BUNCH OF FUEY. PLEASE SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THIS WIRING HARNESS AND I WILL ASSURE YOU THAT THIS WILL BE A RECALL EVENT ONCE YOU SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THESE HARNESS'S. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #737212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED , TOTAL VEHICLE FAILURE.SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE HOOD BURSTING INTO FLAMES . NO DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, BUT TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, INCLUDING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #836664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brea, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS FAILED. QCAW
NHTSA complaint #604472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brea, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS FAILED. QCAW
NHTSA complaint #604472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marco Island, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint #533418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
NOISES COME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN SLOWING DOWN ON AN INCLINE WHEN REVERSIN BECAUSE THE CONTROL ARM BOLTS ARE LOOSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #808504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES SQUEAL DUE TO DEBRIS/DIRT.
NHTSA complaint #511795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga PAR, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
PASSENGER SIDE WIRING UNDER DASH FAILED AFTER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #601466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fullerton, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS.
NHTSA complaint #601174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fullerton, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS.
NHTSA complaint #601174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, TXCrash1 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO KEEP GLASS CLEAN, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #501182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS CAST DARK SHADOWS.
NHTSA complaint #501182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS CAST DARK SHADOWS.
NHTSA complaint #501182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES.
NHTSA complaint #600629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermosa BE, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
VACUUM LOCK SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #600598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort LEE, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS A PROBLEM SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS.
NHTSA complaint #967929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort LEE, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #967929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.