1989 Mercedes Benz 300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
170,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 4 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 | 2 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 1; 2001: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10458536 · 2012-05-15 (May 15, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE SPEED AND REMAINED IDLE WITH THE RPM'S INCREASING. THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 93V095000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE HIS VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978344 · 1996-01-29 (January 29, 1996)
IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS THE ABS IS NOT WORKING LOCKS UP LIKE NORMAL BRAKES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481313 · 1995-03-08 (March 8, 1995)
ALUMINUM FUEL TANK COMPONENT FAILED UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS, EXPENDING GASOLINE TO ADDITIONALLY FUEL THE FIRE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481313 at NHTSA ↗