Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz 124 recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

10 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

100,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1992 to 2001 model years. Data updated: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Compare model years

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.

1992
2
1993
2
1994
1
1995
1
2001
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19922
19932
19941
19951
20010

1992: 2; 1993: 2; 1994: 1; 1995: 1; 2001: 0

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz 124 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
199212Not available
1993020
199421-1
1995610
200110Not available

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

93V108000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 1993-06-23 (June 23, 1993) · Model years: 1992, 1993

DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DO NOT MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 208.

Consequence: SEAT OCCUPANTS RELYING ON THE INSTALLED AIRBAG WOULD NOTBE PROTECTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THAT OF FMVSS 208 COMPLIANT AIRBAG, ANDCOULD HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE AIRBAGS WITH AIRBAGS THAT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
95V031000 · Electrical System:Wiring

Reported: 1995-02-21 (February 21, 1995) · Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

THE FRONT PASSENGER METAL FOOT REST CAN, OVER TIME, ABRADE THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FOOT REST CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE THE WIRES TO OVERHEAT, STALL THE ENGINE, OR INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY AN AIRBAG, ANY OF THESE INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL WIRING HARNESS CABLE FASTENER TIES AND EDGE PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR SHARP EDGES OF THE METAL FOOT REST.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

70.0%Usable mileage7 / 10 records
90.0%Valid incident date9 / 10 records
100.0%Valid filing date10 / 10 records
90.0%Ordered incident and filing dates9 / 10 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19921993199419952001
Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

350.0%
ODI 10447044 · 84,013 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER, AFTER DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, SAID THAT A CODE INDICATING THAT THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR WAS FAULTY HOWEVER THEY DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE "THIS YEAR CAR WAS DESIGNED WITH A HARNESS THAT WAS BIODEGRADABLE." THE INSULATION HAS BEGUN TO CRUMBLE REQUIRING A NEW HARNESS. THE PART IS ABOUT $1100 PLUS LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10447044 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

233.3%
ODI 10462285 · 100,000 mi

THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AT A SLOW SPEED AT ANY STOP. THE ENGINE ALMOST DIES IF YOU DON'T GIVE GAS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *JS

Look up ODI 10462285 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10143995 · 100,000 mi

UPPER ENGINE WIRING HARNESS (MB PART# A 124 440 19 06) INSULATION CRACKED IN MANY PLACES. IT DECOMPOSED/DETERIORATED SO BADLY IT EFFECTED ADDITIONAL ENGINE COMPONENTS. ENGINE STALLED MANY TIME WHILE IN TRAFFIC. HARNESS WAS REPLACES ON 04-21-2005 AND CAR REQUIRED ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE FROM MERCEDES DEALER SHIP DUE TO ECU PROBLEMS AND STILL ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH ASR (ANTI SKID CONTROL) PROBLEMS. *JB

Look up ODI 10143995 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

116.7%
ODI 10456650

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION HAS DISINTEGRATED, CRACKED AND FLAKED OFF OF THE WIRES EXPOSING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF BARE COPPER INCLUDING CONNECTIONS TO THE GLOW PLUG RELAY AND EVERY CONNECTOR DIRECTLY ATTACHING TO AN ENGINE COMPONENT. REMOVAL OF THE WIRING HARNESS SHOWS CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATION IF THE HARNESS INSULATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE HARNESS. WAS CAUSING INSTRUMENTATION MALFUNCTIONS IN GLOW PLUG CIRCUITS. SIGNIFICANT EXPOSED POWER WIRE COPPER WOULD GROUND THE SYSTEM OUT IF EVEN A SLIGHT SHIFTING OF THE HARNESS TOO…

Look up ODI 10456650 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 751943

SEND A COMPALIN TO THE COMPANY IN WRITING. COMPANY IS VIRTUALLY IGNORING US. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Look up ODI 751943 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10471522 · 65,000 mi

THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE ENGINE RETARTED BUT WITH A DISTINCT ROUGH IDLE. INCREASING THE GAS PEDAL PRESSURE WAS RESPONDED BY THE ENGINE WITH INCREASED BUT FLUCTUATING RPMS. I COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE A DAY OR MORE LATER IT RAN NORMAL. HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENTLY I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MERCEDES DEALER IN TAMPA AND THEY BROUGHT IN A RETIRED MECHANIC WHO CONNECTED A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER TO THE VEHICLE. HE SHOWED ME IN THE SHOP THE SIGNAL FLUCTUATIONS, IN WHAT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, OF THE FUEL MIXTURE SYSTEM. I INQUI…

Look up ODI 10471522 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seats
1100.0%
ODI 10347908 · 133,200 mi

DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MOVES UNEXPECTEDLY, WITHOUT DRIVER TOUCHING THE SEAT CONTROL BUTTONS. SEAT HAS FEATURE TO PLACE SEAT IN A "MEMORIZED" POSITION UPON DEMAND. SOMETIMES THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD, SOMETIMES BACK, SOMETIMES IN A ROCKING MOTION. APPROXIMATELY 20-30 SUCH INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. TWICE, THE SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY FORWARD ON ITS TRACK, CROWDING ME UP TO THE DASH AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE MY FEET. BEHAVIOR BEGAN THIS SUMMER AND SEEMS MOST LIKELY WHEN THE CAR INTERIOR IS HOT, FROM SITTING IN THE SUN. MOST INCIDENTS OCCURRED WIT…

Look up ODI 10347908 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

116.7%
ODI 10456612 · 250,000 mi

RIGHT FRONT SPRING PERCH AND SURROUNDING RAIL IS CRUMBLING. ONE LEG OF THE PERCH AT THE WELD HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN LOSE. THERE IS NO OTHER SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE VEHICLE. IF THIS FAILS, THE SPRING MAY BREAK THROUGH THE RAIL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, OR THE SPRING MAY FALL OUT. AT SPEED, THIS COULD BE A VERY BAD SITUATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10456612 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range100,507 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10447044 · 84,013 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER, AFTER DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, SAID THAT A CODE INDICATING THAT THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR WAS FAULTY HOWEVER THEY DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE "THIS YEAR CAR WAS DESIGNED WITH A HARNESS THAT WAS BIODEGRADABLE." THE INSULATION HAS BEGUN TO CRUMBLE REQUIRING A NEW HARNESS. THE PART IS ABOUT $1100 PLUS LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10447044 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10553097 · 117,000 mi

THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED IN TWO LOCATIONS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS. *TR

Look up ODI 10553097 at NHTSA ↗

EngineToo few reports for a range108,500 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10462285 · 100,000 mi

THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AT A SLOW SPEED AT ANY STOP. THE ENGINE ALMOST DIES IF YOU DON'T GIVE GAS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *JS

Look up ODI 10462285 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10553097 · 117,000 mi

THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED IN TWO LOCATIONS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS. *TR

Look up ODI 10553097 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Wiring:Front UnderhoodToo few reports for a range100,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10143995 · 100,000 mi

UPPER ENGINE WIRING HARNESS (MB PART# A 124 440 19 06) INSULATION CRACKED IN MANY PLACES. IT DECOMPOSED/DETERIORATED SO BADLY IT EFFECTED ADDITIONAL ENGINE COMPONENTS. ENGINE STALLED MANY TIME WHILE IN TRAFFIC. HARNESS WAS REPLACES ON 04-21-2005 AND CAR REQUIRED ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE FROM MERCEDES DEALER SHIP DUE TO ECU PROBLEMS AND STILL ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH ASR (ANTI SKID CONTROL) PROBLEMS. *JB

Look up ODI 10143995 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion SystemToo few reports for a range65,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10471522 · 65,000 mi

THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE ENGINE RETARTED BUT WITH A DISTINCT ROUGH IDLE. INCREASING THE GAS PEDAL PRESSURE WAS RESPONDED BY THE ENGINE WITH INCREASED BUT FLUCTUATING RPMS. I COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE A DAY OR MORE LATER IT RAN NORMAL. HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENTLY I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MERCEDES DEALER IN TAMPA AND THEY BROUGHT IN A RETIRED MECHANIC WHO CONNECTED A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER TO THE VEHICLE. HE SHOWED ME IN THE SHOP THE SIGNAL FLUCTUATIONS, IN WHAT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, OF THE FUEL MIXTURE SYSTEM. I INQUI…

Look up ODI 10471522 at NHTSA ↗

SeatsToo few reports for a range133,200 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10347908 · 133,200 mi

DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MOVES UNEXPECTEDLY, WITHOUT DRIVER TOUCHING THE SEAT CONTROL BUTTONS. SEAT HAS FEATURE TO PLACE SEAT IN A "MEMORIZED" POSITION UPON DEMAND. SOMETIMES THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD, SOMETIMES BACK, SOMETIMES IN A ROCKING MOTION. APPROXIMATELY 20-30 SUCH INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. TWICE, THE SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY FORWARD ON ITS TRACK, CROWDING ME UP TO THE DASH AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE MY FEET. BEHAVIOR BEGAN THIS SUMMER AND SEEMS MOST LIKELY WHEN THE CAR INTERIOR IS HOT, FROM SITTING IN THE SUN. MOST INCIDENTS OCCURRED WIT…

Look up ODI 10347908 at NHTSA ↗

SuspensionToo few reports for a range250,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10456612 · 250,000 mi

RIGHT FRONT SPRING PERCH AND SURROUNDING RAIL IS CRUMBLING. ONE LEG OF THE PERCH AT THE WELD HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN LOSE. THERE IS NO OTHER SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE VEHICLE. IF THIS FAILS, THE SPRING MAY BREAK THROUGH THE RAIL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, OR THE SPRING MAY FALL OUT. AT SPEED, THIS COULD BE A VERY BAD SITUATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10456612 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1995: 0 complaints · 2001: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1995000
2001111
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1995600
2001010

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentElectrical SystemEngineElectrical System:Wiring:Front UnderhoodEngine And Engine CoolingEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineFuel/Propulsion SystemSeatsSuspension
Electrical System—
1
ODI 10553097 · 117,000 mi

THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED IN TWO LOCATIONS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS. *TR

Look up ODI 10553097 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10456650

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION HAS DISINTEGRATED, CRACKED AND FLAKED OFF OF THE WIRES EXPOSING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF BARE COPPER INCLUDING CONNECTIONS TO THE GLOW PLUG RELAY AND EVERY CONNECTOR DIRECTLY ATTACHING TO AN ENGINE COMPONENT. REMOVAL OF THE WIRING HARNESS SHOWS CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATION IF THE HARNESS INSULATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE HARNESS. WAS CAUSING INSTRUMENTATION MALFUNCTIONS IN GLOW PLUG CIRCUITS. SIGNIFICANT EXPOSED POWER WIRE COPPER WOULD GROUND THE SYSTEM OUT IF EVEN A SLIGHT SHIFTING OF THE HARNESS TOO…

Look up ODI 10456650 at NHTSA ↗

0000
Engine
1
ODI 10553097 · 117,000 mi

THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED IN TWO LOCATIONS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS. *TR

Look up ODI 10553097 at NHTSA ↗

—000000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood00—00000
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
ODI 10456650

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION HAS DISINTEGRATED, CRACKED AND FLAKED OFF OF THE WIRES EXPOSING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF BARE COPPER INCLUDING CONNECTIONS TO THE GLOW PLUG RELAY AND EVERY CONNECTOR DIRECTLY ATTACHING TO AN ENGINE COMPONENT. REMOVAL OF THE WIRING HARNESS SHOWS CRACKING AND DISINTEGRATION IF THE HARNESS INSULATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE HARNESS. WAS CAUSING INSTRUMENTATION MALFUNCTIONS IN GLOW PLUG CIRCUITS. SIGNIFICANT EXPOSED POWER WIRE COPPER WOULD GROUND THE SYSTEM OUT IF EVEN A SLIGHT SHIFTING OF THE HARNESS TOO…

Look up ODI 10456650 at NHTSA ↗

00—0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline0000—000
Fuel/Propulsion System00000—00
Seats000000—0
Suspension0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

2 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 20.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 92,007 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10447044 · 84,013 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER, AFTER DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, SAID THAT A CODE INDICATING THAT THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR WAS FAULTY HOWEVER THEY DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE "THIS YEAR CAR WAS DESIGNED WITH A HARNESS THAT WAS BIODEGRADABLE." THE INSULATION HAS BEGUN TO CRUMBLE REQUIRING A NEW HARNESS. THE PART IS ABOUT $1100 PLUS LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. *TR

Look up ODI 10447044 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10462285 · 100,000 mi

THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AT A SLOW SPEED AT ANY STOP. THE ENGINE ALMOST DIES IF YOU DON'T GIVE GAS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *JS

Look up ODI 10462285 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 10.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10143995 · 100,000 mi

UPPER ENGINE WIRING HARNESS (MB PART# A 124 440 19 06) INSULATION CRACKED IN MANY PLACES. IT DECOMPOSED/DETERIORATED SO BADLY IT EFFECTED ADDITIONAL ENGINE COMPONENTS. ENGINE STALLED MANY TIME WHILE IN TRAFFIC. HARNESS WAS REPLACES ON 04-21-2005 AND CAR REQUIRED ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE FROM MERCEDES DEALER SHIP DUE TO ECU PROBLEMS AND STILL ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH ASR (ANTI SKID CONTROL) PROBLEMS. *JB

Look up ODI 10143995 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b