Owners have filed 32 complaints
about the 1995 Mercedes Benz S Class with NHTSA between 2000 and 2013.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 8 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 — 40
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz S Class. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 32
6.3% 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 S Class
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
417.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
28.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
417.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
626.1%
150,000+ miles
730.4%
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 2000peak 3Sep 2013
Recalls on the 1995 Mercedes Benz S Class
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
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19970561,013 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, if the front wheels are turned to full lock, the wheel could contact the brake hose and damage the hose. If the brake hose becomes damaged, loss of brake fluid in the front brake circuit may occur which could result in a partial brake system failure and increased stopping distances. Correction: A retaining bracket will be installed on the front brake hoses.
Recall 199503637 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, metal particles (machine flash) may be present in the ABS/traction control speed sensor mounting holes. These particles can come loose, attach to the sensor or rotor, and falsely indicate a wheel lock condition during normal braking. This false wheel lock signal could cause premature ABS function at the rear brakes which could increase stopping distances. Correction: Affected vehicles will be inspected for possible metal particles attached to the sensor rotor and, if necessary, cleaned.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 140,000 milesAdamsville, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRE HARNESS SHORTED OUT DUE TO NAKED WIRES WITH NO INSULATION CAUSING THE HARNESS TO CATCH FIRE BURNING HARNESS AND FRYING THE ALTERNATOR. THE CAUSE WAS SAID TO BE WIRE HARNESS DETERIORATED. IMPROPER INSULATION ON THE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10541734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesAdamsville, ALFire
ENGINE
WIRE HARNESS SHORTED OUT DUE TO NAKED WIRES WITH NO INSULATION CAUSING THE HARNESS TO CATCH FIRE BURNING HARNESS AND FRYING THE ALTERNATOR. THE CAUSE WAS SAID TO BE WIRE HARNESS DETERIORATED. IMPROPER INSULATION ON THE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10541734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 140,000 milesAdamsville, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRE HARNESS SHORTED OUT DUE TO NAKED WIRES WITH NO INSULATION CAUSING THE HARNESS TO CATCH FIRE BURNING HARNESS AND FRYING THE ALTERNATOR. THE CAUSE WAS SAID TO BE WIRE HARNESS DETERIORATED. IMPROPER INSULATION ON THE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10541734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesAdamsville, ALFire
ENGINE
WIRE HARNESS SHORTED OUT DUE TO NAKED WIRES WITH NO INSULATION CAUSING THE HARNESS TO CATCH FIRE BURNING HARNESS AND FRYING THE ALTERNATOR. THE CAUSE WAS SAID TO BE WIRE HARNESS DETERIORATED. IMPROPER INSULATION ON THE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10541734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSalida, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ENGINE CONTROL/FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS OF MY 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ S420 (61,000 MILES), HAS CRACKED INSULATION THROUGHOUT AND IS BEGINNING TO SHORT-CIRCUIT WITH THE RISK OF CAUSING DANGEROUS ENGINE MALFUNCTION--AND EVEN FIRE--INSIDE MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF OTHER MERCEDES-BENZ CARS OF THE SAME AGE RANGE HAVING THE EXACT SAME DEFECT. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO MERCEDES AS FAR BACK AS 1997 THAT THEY CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO RECALL. THE NHTSA APPEARS TO BE LOOKING AT THIS DEFECT AS A SEPARATE ISSUE BY YEAR AND MODEL...IT IS DEFINITELY NOT! IT WAS A SUPPLIER ISSUE FOR ALL MERCEDES MODELS OF THE YEARS 1991-1997 AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS SUCH. YOU HAVE OVER 700 REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. DO SOMETHING...NOW!!!
NHTSA complaint #10451706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,450 milesSmithtown, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DIESEL ENGINE PREGLOW WIRE HARNESS ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TRACTION CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10445690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,450 milesSmithtown, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DIESEL ENGINE PREGLOW WIRE HARNESS ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TRACTION CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10445690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,450 milesSmithtown, NY
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
DIESEL ENGINE PREGLOW WIRE HARNESS ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TRACTION CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10445690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesBerkley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES S-CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGE IN LIMP MODE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION OVER 25 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS CONNECTED FROM THE COMPUTER TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THE WIRING WAS DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #10381579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 243,000 milesBridgeton, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE WIRE HARNESS CAUSING MY CAR TO STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10344717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesJacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY ASR LIGHT IS ON IN MY CAR WHICH IS A MERCEDES BENZ S600 DO TO A BAD WIRING HARNESS ON THE CAR,AND IT PUTS OUT A BIG BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE WHILE DRIVING,I TOOK THE ASR FUSE OUT AND IT STOPS BUT I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN BECAUSE THE ABS/AND THE SRS LIGHT COME ON ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10323643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesLA Mesa, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1995 MERCEDES S420 ASR COME ON WHILE DRIVING CAUSING GAS PEDAL TO STIFFEN AND DRIVING DIFFICULT IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT WHILE DRIVING. WHILE ASR LIGHT IS ON WHILE DRIVING EASING UP OFF GAS PEDAL CAUSES CAR TO JERK FORWARD WHILE BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10289906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,000 milesHalf Moon BAY, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MERCEDES BENZ 1995 S420 WIRING HARNESS CRACKING OF INSULATION LET TO STUCK STARTER WOULD NOT TURN OFF DRAINED ALL BATTERY POWER BECAME VERY HOT. 'ARCING PRESENT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM BARE WIRES DUE TO FLAKING INSULATION ON WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #10267293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,300 milesBoise, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1995 MERCEDES S320. THE 'CHECK ENGINE' IS ON, INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES DEALER SHOP, AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAVE 8 FAULT CODES. THE FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS IS HARD AND BRITTLE. IT TOOK THEM 4 HOURS TO FIND THE FIX THE SHORT. THE REPAIR COST IS $400. THE FIX DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AS THE 'CHECK ENGINE' WILL COME ON AFTER 50 MILES! THE MB SHOP ALSO RECOMMEND THE WIRING HARNESS TO BE REPLACED, COST ~$1,200 FOR THE PART (NOT INCLUDING LABOR). I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT FROM MERCEDES AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL/CORRECT BY MERCEDES.
NHTSA complaint #10248018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesNorth Reading, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE STARTED TO RUN POORLY WHILE UNDERWAY AND THEN QUIT ENTIRELY. TRACED TO SHORTS IN ENGINE WIRING CAUSED BY A DISINTEGRATION OF INSULATION IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE SEEMED TO BE A BURNING AT THE SITE OF THE FAILURE BY THE DISCOLORING OF THE COPPER STANDS.
NHTSA complaint #10239512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,820 milesTemecula, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS FAILURE CAUSING STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #10220699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MY AUXILIARY FANS WOULD NOT INITIATE, SO WE DECIDED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE FANS. LOW AND BEHOLD, THE WIRING THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THIS SWITCH WAS CRUMBLING LIKE STALE BREAD CRUMBS AND FLAKES. I WANTED TO REPLACE THE WIRE, SO I UNDID THE ENTIRE HARNESS. I FOUND WORSE! THE ENTIRE HARNESS WAS CRUMBLING, BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE IT BEFORE BECAUSE OF THE BLACK COVERING AROUND THE WIRING. THE HARNESS IS COMPLETELY RUINED AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THE # OF COMPLAINTS I'M FINALLY SEEING REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WOW! BAD ENGINEERING ON THE PART OF MERCEDES FOR THIS ISSUE. MY CAR IS A 1995 THAT HAS BEEN GARAGE ITS ENTIRE LIFE, FOR THE MOST PART. I AM GOING THROUGH THE PAINSTAKING LABOR OF RE-WIRING THIS ENTIRE HARNESS MYSELF...AND IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10209853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesCarmel, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE FUEL SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ S600 SHORTED OUT AND MADE MY CAR INOPERABLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC DRIVE BACK FROM WORK. I WAS ABLE TO 'JIGGLE' THE WIRES ENOUGH TO LIMP TO MY DRIVEWAY. WHILE 'LIMPING', THE CAR CONTINUOUSLY BACKFIRED AND HEAVED TOWARDS THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME, NARROWLY REAR-ENDING THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10209061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 212,000 milesBirmingham, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ASR LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. FAULTY WIRING CAUSING ASR TO FAIL. COST TO REPAIR $1,500. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10202282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 161,000 milesSAN Rafael, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MB WIRING HARNESS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10200937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesEdina, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE STALLS AND RUNS ROUGH. WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10175780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 1995 S320 BENZ . ON END OF SEPTEMBER THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I CHANGED THE AIR MASS FLOW SENSOR THAN A MONTH LATER THE A/C SOMETIMES WORK AND OTHER TIMES NOT I CHANGED THE VACUUM HOSES THAT GOES TO AC SOLENOID PLUS THE EGR HOSE, AND ONE WIRE THAT GOES TO THE A/C RELAY. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN GOES ON AND I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASK IF ANY RECALL ON 1995 S320 THEY SAY NO. YET THERE IS OVER 150 COMPLAINED TO YOUR DEPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10175721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, LA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I HAVE A 1995 S320 BENZ . ON END OF SEPTEMBER THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I CHANGED THE AIR MASS FLOW SENSOR THAN A MONTH LATER THE A/C SOMETIMES WORK AND OTHER TIMES NOT I CHANGED THE VACUUM HOSES THAT GOES TO AC SOLENOID PLUS THE EGR HOSE, AND ONE WIRE THAT GOES TO THE A/C RELAY. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN GOES ON AND I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASK IF ANY RECALL ON 1995 S320 THEY SAY NO. YET THERE IS OVER 150 COMPLAINED TO YOUR DEPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10175721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 198,000 milesBedford, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MY 1995 MERCEDES S320 WIRING HARNESS INSULATION DECOMPOSING. BARE WIRES ARE EXPOSED AT ENGINE COIL CONNECTIONS. THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS WIRES IS JUST CRUMBLING. VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY DISABLED IN LIMP MODE. PRIOR TO THIS, THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE WHILE EXECUTING TURNS. PART COST IS $750; DEALER LABOR COST IS $600. THE WIRING MAY HAVE DAMAGED OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS (I.E.: COMPUTER OR VOLTAGE REGULATOR). THIS WIRING INSULATION PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL WITH ANY VEHICLE, NO LESS ONE THAT COSTS $65,000 NEW. THIS MOST DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM.
NHTSA complaint #10174488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesArlington, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MY 1995 MERCEDES S320 HAS BEEN STALLING AND MISFIRING AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T START UP. I TOOK IT FOR TUNE UP, BUT THE MECHANIC SAID HE CANT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE FAULT WIRING HARNESS INSULATION FROM FACTORY IS PEELING OFF AND MAKING THE WIRES SHORT-CIRCUIT AND IF HE TRIES TO DO ANYTHING IT WILL MAKE IT WORSE,I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MERCEDES OWNERS WITH EARLIER AND MID 90S WHO HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND YOU SHOULD PETITION THE MANUFACTURER ON OUR BEHALF.
NHTSA complaint #10172649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesKeymar, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
PARTS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN FAILING. DRIVERS WINDOW WOULD NOT OPERATE AND AFTER MUCH TROUBLESHOOTING BY THE REPAIR SHOP, THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER GAUGES ON THE DASH FAILED AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND HORN FAILED TO OPERATE. AFTER DISASSEMBLING THE INTERIOR (SEATS, CONSOLE, DASH, ETC.) THE REPAIR SHOP CAME UPON THE PROBLEM - WIRES SHORTING ALL ALONG THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSE SPARKS AND SHORTS THROUGHOUT.
NHTSA complaint #10159899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesCarlsbad, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS HAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED FROM THE IGNITION CONTROL UNIT ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE SENSORS INCLUDING WIRES THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL INJECTION. WIRES ARE BARE AND TOUCHING. VEHICLE SMELLS ON FUEL BUT THERE ARE NO LEAKS TO BE FOUND. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED PICTURES. THIS IS NOT SOME 11,000 HYUNDAI GUYS. THIS IS A 142,000 S600 MERCEDES. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF DID NOT BURN TO DEATH SOMEWHERE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10149260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.