Mercedes Benz 300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
144 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
119,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1971 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 42 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 144 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 33 | 22.9% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 9.7% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 2.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 10 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
Electrical System: 16; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 10; Electrical System:Wiring: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Air Bags:Frontal: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 15
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 102 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 | 28 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 28; 1996: 16; 2000: 18; 2001: 13; 2002: 7; 2003: 15; 2004: 7; 2005: 4; 2006: 8; 2007: 4; 2008: 10; 2009: 3; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 33 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 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 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 10286243 · 2009-10-04 (October 4, 2009)
MY 1991 300SL BENZ HAS HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED PER MB DEALER BECAUSE IT'S GOING BAD AND DECOMPOSING CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE PROBLEM. THIS AFTER A NO START PROBLEM AND A MONTH IN THE SHOP. AND THEY NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. NOW , AFTER REPLACING THE HARNESS , THEY ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE HARNESS IS A "GREEN WIRING HARNESS" AS REQUIRED BE GERMANY TO ITS AUTO MAKERS IN 1991-1996. THE DECOMPOSING OF THE WIRING CAUSES A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *…
Owner-reported narrative. 119,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508817 · 1996-09-19 (September 19, 1996)
COMPUTER FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508817 at NHTSA ↗
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 10075704 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTS IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE VACUUM AIR PUMP CAUSED THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. WHEN THIS PART FAILED THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF POWER LOSS UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE BRAKE VACUUM AIR PUMP FAILED EVERY 5 YEARS AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980837 · 1996-03-18 (March 18, 1996)
WHEN THE DRIVER PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT ROLLED BACKWARD VERY FAST THAT THE DRIVER WAS PUSHING HER BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980837 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 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 ↗
Owner report 10109323 · 2004-12-10 (December 10, 2004)
HEAD GASKET AND FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEMS. *BF *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109323 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 ↗
Owner report 500776 · 1996-01-15 (January 15, 1996)
CLAMP HOLDING POWER STEERING HOSE TOO BIG TO HOLD HOSE IN PLACE WHEN TIGHTENED ALL THE WAY, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT OF SYSTEM. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500776 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1986: 0; 1987: 1; 1988: 1; 1989: 1; 1990: 4; 1991: 2; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1999: 0; 2002: 0