1987 Mercedes Benz 300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
167,110 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 21 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Tires: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 3; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2003: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2012: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10225545 · 2008-04-23 (April 23, 2008)
ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AND EXPERTS' OPINIONS WHICH CONTAIN THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ME AN E-MAIL ADDRESS, A MAILING ADDRESS AND/OR A FAX NUMBER. THANK YOU. *TR THE CONSUMERS 4 OLD SON WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AS THE MOTHER WAS REMOVING THE CHILD FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CHILD INADVERTENTLY MADE CONTACT WITH THE CENTER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER, WHICH CAUSED THE AUTOMOBILE TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CONSUMER HAD HER 6 MONTH OLD SON IN HER ARMS. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10225545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470437 · 2012-08-13 (August 13, 2012)
AFTER BEING HIT FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, THE THROTTLE STUCK IN A FULL THROTTLE MODE. THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH REMAINED IN FULL THROTTLE MODE AFTER TURNING TO THE OFF POSITION, AND THE BRAKES WERE IMPAIRED TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT OVERPOWER THE ACCELERATION, CAUSING ME TO BE FORCED TO FIND A LOCATION TO CRASH MY VEHICLE, WHICH WAS A BUILDING. EVIDENTLY, THE HOOD HAD PINNED THE THROTTLE FULLY BACK, AND THE VACUUM HOSES, WHICH ARE NECESSARY TO CUT FUEL TO THE DIESEL WE SEVERED. ALSO THE VACUUM HOSES BEING C…
Owner-reported narrative. 134,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975879 · 1995-12-01 (December 1, 1995)
WHEN IGNITION IS OFF, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CAN BE MOVED INTO DIFFERENT GEARS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970505 · 1995-08-15 (August 15, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 736971 · 2000-11-28 (November 28, 2000)
TIRE FAILED ON EXPRESSWAY. AIR PRESSURE WAS CHECHED THE DAY BEFORE AND WAS 30PSI. WHEN TIRE FAILED A IT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE GOING OVER THE DIRVER ALERT STRIPS OR GROOVES CUT INTO THE PAVEMENT ON THE SHOULDER OF SOME ROADS. NOTE THE EXPRESSWAY DID NOT HAVE THE GROOVES ON IT. AFTER NOISE IMMEDIATLY STARTED TO GET OVER TO RIGHT SHOULDER. WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED A SMOKE LIKE DUST CLOUD APPEARED ARROUND TIRE. WHEN STOPPED ON SIDE OF ROAD THE TIRE WAS COMPLETLY OFF OF RIM ON THE OUTSIDE. A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLACK DUST WAS AROUND THE TIRE. SAMS CLUB …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736971 at NHTSA ↗