FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Analysis Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Recall lookup Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

1995 Mercedes Benz 420 problems

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 1995 Mercedes Benz 420 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2012. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz 420 All 1995 cars
C

FaultScore 54/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz 420.

How this is worked out

The numbers

16

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

91,567 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

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 48 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 48
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz 420. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1995 compares with every other Mercedes Benz 420

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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 420

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 7 43.8%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 100,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 12.5%
Engine & Cooling 2 12.5%

Median failure at 86,783 miles

Seat Belts 1 6.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 6.3%
Brakes 1 6.3%
Steering 1 6.3%
Airbags 1 6.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 14.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 42.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 42.9%

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.

Oct 1995 peak 2 May 2012

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 58,000 miles Argyle, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

TWO MAJOR FAILURES OF WIRING ON MY 1995 S420. (1) MAIN WIRING HARNESS SHORTED, BURNED INSULATION AND FAILURE TO OPERATE. DEALER CLAIMED NORMAL WITH A CAR THIS AGE. (2) THROTTLE ACTUATOR WIRING HARNESS SHORTED, AGAIN BURNED INSULATION AND OPERATE IN LIMPED MODE ONLY. CONTACTED REGIONAL MANAGER AND MB USA, RESULTING IN SENDING IN DAMAGED PART TO MB USA FOR ENGINEERING STUDY. ONE MONTH LATER I CONTACTED THE PRESIDENT OF MB USA. ONE WEEK LATER I WAS CONTACTED BY MB USA CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAS TOLD THEY (MB USA) KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE ENGINEERING STUDY. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER,WHO CLAIMED THE FAULTY ACTUATOR WAS SHIPPED TO MB USA. THERE IS NOT ONLY A SERIOUS ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THESE WIRING HARNESSES BUT UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THEY CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. FURTHER, I FOUND CUSTOMER SERVICE TO BE PRETTY MUCH NON EXISTENT, PARTICULARLY AT MB USA.

NHTSA complaint #10136415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillside, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, FIRE CAME THROUGH THE FIREWALL. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND THE VEHICLE PARKED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Bethe, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIRBAG, CAUSING INJURY IN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #502724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 82,000 miles Augusta, GA

ENGINE

THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF WITH THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE INSULATION WAS POORLY DONE, WHICH CAUSES THE WIRING TO BREAKDOWN. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX FOR THE CONSUMER. SAFETY IS THE ISSUE HERE WHEN THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO FAIL TO ACCELERATE.

NHTSA complaint #10459977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,567 miles Hampton Bays, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S420 HAS DISINTEGRATED. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRACKED AND BROKEN IN MANY PLACES, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A NON-OPERATING CONDITION. THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES SO FAR, IN TRAFFIC, AND WILL NOW NOT RUN AT ALL. APPARENTLY THE WIRES HAVE BROKEN DOWN DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THE WIRES WERE NOT SUITABLE FOR THE APPLICATION THEY WERE USED FOR.

NHTSA complaint #10453897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,567 miles Hampton Bays, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S420 HAS DISINTEGRATED. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRACKED AND BROKEN IN MANY PLACES, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A NON-OPERATING CONDITION. THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES SO FAR, IN TRAFFIC, AND WILL NOW NOT RUN AT ALL. APPARENTLY THE WIRES HAVE BROKEN DOWN DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THE WIRES WERE NOT SUITABLE FOR THE APPLICATION THEY WERE USED FOR.

NHTSA complaint #10453897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Quogue, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM PLASTIC COATING IS BREAKING DOWN AND THE BARE WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT MAKING THE CAR UNABLE TO USE.

NHTSA complaint #10238941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Addison, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1995 420S MERCEDES IS HAVING PROBLEMS FIRING. CONCERNED ABOUT WIRING HARNESS. WAS CHECK AND MAY BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS IF SO MANY PEOPLE THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM? CAR IS HESITATING WHEN KEY IS TURNED TO RIGHT AND WILL NOT FIRE CORRECTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10235385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,750 miles Topsfield, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

1995 E420 MERCEDES BENZ: WIRE HARNESS HAS PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING UNSAFE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS TO APPEAR IN VEHICLE SUCH AS: SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND UNRESPONSIVENESS TO ACCELERATOR INPUT.

NHTSA complaint #10194198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Argyle, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

TWO MAJOR FAILURES OF WIRING ON MY 1995 S420. (1) MAIN WIRING HARNESS SHORTED, BURNED INSULATION AND FAILURE TO OPERATE. DEALER CLAIMED NORMAL WITH A CAR THIS AGE. (2) THROTTLE ACTUATOR WIRING HARNESS SHORTED, AGAIN BURNED INSULATION AND OPERATE IN LIMPED MODE ONLY. CONTACTED REGIONAL MANAGER AND MB USA, RESULTING IN SENDING IN DAMAGED PART TO MB USA FOR ENGINEERING STUDY. ONE MONTH LATER I CONTACTED THE PRESIDENT OF MB USA. ONE WEEK LATER I WAS CONTACTED BY MB USA CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAS TOLD THEY (MB USA) KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE ENGINEERING STUDY. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER,WHO CLAIMED THE FAULTY ACTUATOR WAS SHIPPED TO MB USA. THERE IS NOT ONLY A SERIOUS ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THESE WIRING HARNESSES BUT UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THEY CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. FURTHER, I FOUND CUSTOMER SERVICE TO BE PRETTY MUCH NON EXISTENT, PARTICULARLY AT MB USA.

NHTSA complaint #10136415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Marietta, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF A 1995 MERCEDEZ-BENZ E420, I WAS TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OF THE NEED TO REPLACE WIRING HARNESSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION BECOMES BRITTLE, CRACKS, AND FALLS OFF. THIS WAS DEMONSTRATED TO BE THE CASE ON MY CAR, WITH THE MECHANIC SHOWING ME THE CONDITION OF THE WIRES IN THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THIS REPAIR COST ME OVER $2000 - OF COURSE I HAVE RECEIPTS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT - IT IS SO PREVALENT, I CAN FIND COUNTLESS MENTIONS OF IT IN MERCEDES DISCUSSION BOARDS ON THE INTERNET, WHOSE CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE MERCEDES-TRAINED MECHANICS. MERCEDES SHOULD TREAT THIS AS A SAFETY-RELATED RECALL - DO YOU WANT YOUR ENGINE QUITTING ON THE FREEWAY? DO YOU WANT A FIRE IN YOUR ENGINE COMPARTMENT? MERCEDES SHOULD REFUND ME THE MONEY I SPENT RETURNING MY CAR TO A SAFE CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10128910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillside, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, FIRE CAME THROUGH THE FIREWALL. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND THE VEHICLE PARKED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Coast, FL

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SEE INFORMATION RECORDED IN ATTACHED LETTER. COMPLAINT REGISTERED WITH CUSTOMER SERVICES CENTER, MERCEDES-BENZ, USA VIA TELEPHONE ON SEPTEMBER 13, AND 16, 2002, WITH NO RESULTS TAKEN TO RESOLVE FAULTY SEAT BELT. I NOTE THAT NHTSA BULLETIN NO.: SB049577, WAS ISSUED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 1996, THAT INDICATES THAT VEHICLES, MY MODEL YEAR WITHOUT SIDE AIR BAGS SRS SENSOR WAS UPDATED AND REPLACED BY PART #001 820 19 26. I FIND NO EVIDENCE BASED UPON A REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE MASTER INQUIRY (VMI) THAT SRS SENSOR WAS REPLACED. COPY OF LETTER OUTLINING MY CONCERNS RE: SAFETY ISSUE BEING MAILED THIS DATE.

NHTSA complaint #767288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Essex Fell, NJ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ASR SYSTEM FAILURE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE.

NHTSA complaint #535339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Compton, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES VIBRATE, CAUSING ROARING SOUNDS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES FIRMLY AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES.

NHTSA complaint #511835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodland Hills, CA

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

AFTER TURNING RIGHT, STEERING WHEEL RESISTS TURNING BACK TO LEFT POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #506873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Bethe, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIRBAG, CAUSING INJURY IN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #502724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendora, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUN ROOF FAILED. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #600302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY VIBRATES WHEN IN ANY GEAR OTHER THAN NEUTRAL, DUE TO POSSIBLE DRIVE TRAIN COMPLICATIONS. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #489836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.