U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz 300 SERIES engine problems

14 complaint narratives mention engine terms.

Key facts

53 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

150,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1988 to 1995 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 41 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Engine operation evidence

14 of 53 complaints match this topic (26.4%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 10052864 · 2004-01-11 (January 11, 2004)

INTERMITTENT WIRING PROBLEMS CAUSE STALLING AND THE LOSS OF FUNCTIONS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 105,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052864 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10014208 · 2003-04-09 (April 9, 2003)

EMISSIONS AIR PUMP SEIZED CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO MELT ALL OVER ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS. THIS IS THE THIRD KNOWN REPLACEMENT OF A SERPENTINE BELT--TWO OF WHICH WERE 16,000 MILES BETWEEN REPLACEMENTS. EMISSIONS AIR PUMP, IDLE PULLEY AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE REPLACED. THIS CAR ALSO HAS A 7 YEAR HISTORY OF RANDOM STALLING WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED.

Owner-reported narrative. 143,137 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014208 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10163361 · 2006-07-24 (July 24, 2006)

1992 MERCEDES 300E, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILING CAUSING CAR TO SHORT OUT, STALL, NOT DRIVABLE. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10163361 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10209057 · 2007-11-15 (November 15, 2007)

I BOUGHT THE CAR USED.... I NOW KNOW WHY THE MAN WAS SO EAGER TO SELL AT SUCH A REASONABLE PRICE. CAR CONTINUES TO STALL ON ME, AFTER LETTING IT SIT AND COOL FOR APPROX. 20+ MINS IT WILL USUALLY START. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ON FIRE, BY THE TIME I GOT PULLED OVER, THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF SMOKE. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ANYTHING OVER 5-10 MINS IT SMELLS AS IF IT WERE ON FIRE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 130,048 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209057 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10268253 · 2009-05-08 (May 8, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 05/19/09 *BF T…

Owner-reported narrative. 100,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268253 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

77.4%Usable mileage41 / 53 records

98.1%Valid incident date52 / 53 records

100.0%Valid filing date53 / 53 records

98.1%Ordered incident and filing dates52 / 53 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1988	1990	1991	1992	1993	1995
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10052864 · 105,800 mi INTERMITTENT WIRING PROBLEMS CAUSE STALLING AND THE LOSS OF FUNCTIONS.*AK Look up ODI 10052864 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	215.4% ODI 10163361 1992 MERCEDES 300E, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILING CAUSING CAR TO SHORT OUT, STALL, NOT DRIVABLE. *NM Look up ODI 10163361 at NHTSA ↗	838.1% ODI 10105816 · 150,000 mi UNEXPLAINED ELECTRICAL-RELATED PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THE CAR'S ABILITY TO OPERATE NORMALLY AND SAFELY. SEVERAL INSTANCES OF CAR GOING INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE AFTER STOPPING AT STOPLIGHT. THIS OCCURRED ON 1/3/05. TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING RESOLVED ON ALL OCASIONS. CAR ALSO RUNS ROUGH AND HAS INSTANCES WHERE IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN REQUIRED TO DO SO (FIRM PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR (AS IN PASSING) CAUSE ENGINE TO 1. MISFIRE AND 2. NOT DOWNSHIFT. SERVICE PEOPLE WILL NOT LOOK AT THE PROBLEM UNTIL "KNOWN ENGINE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS" IS REPLAC… Look up ODI 10105816 at NHTSA ↗	650.0% ODI 10200978 MY MERCEDES WAGON STALLED AND WOULD NOT RE-START IN BUMPER-TO-BUMPER FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK. MY TECHNICIAN TRACED IT TO A DISINTEGRATING ENGINE WIRE-HARNESSES AND STATED I WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT START EITHER A FIRE, OR "FRIED"/SHORTED-OUT THE ENGINE COMPUTERS WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED. REPLACED AT OVER $600 PARTS & LABOR. *TR Look up ODI 10200978 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	323.1% ODI 10259977 · 240,000 mi ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS OF THE 1992 W140 MERCEDES BENZ 300SD SHORTED OUT AND CAUSE A FIRE INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I SHUT OF THE POWER SOURCE AND NOW MY CAR IS WORTHLESS SINCE THE WIRING IS BAD. *TR Look up ODI 10259977 at NHTSA ↗	942.9% ODI 10210113 · 120,000 mi ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY 1993 300E MERCEDES. THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WITH EXTENSIVE CRACKS WITH ALL OF THE WIRES CAUSED THE FIRE. NOW I DISCOVER, THIS IS AN INFERIOR PART PLACED IN THE CAR WITH FABRIC TAPE WRAPPING. 100'S OF THESE KIND OF FIRES HAVE OCCURRED, WITH OUT A RECALL ON THIS MODEL. *TR Look up ODI 10210113 at NHTSA ↗	433.3% ODI 10226574 · 299,000 mi 1995 MERCEDES-BENZ E300D WIRING HARNESS: TEMPERATURE READING NOT ACCURATE, THOUGH ON THE HIGH SIDE SO I FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS OVERHEATING BUT REALLY NOT ENGINE IDLE SENSOR INACCURATE LEADING TO READING OF LOW RPM AT IDLE AND TACHOMETER NOT ALWAYS WORKING OTHER CONSEQUENCES: AUXILIARY FANS MOTORS BLOWN DUE TO FANS RUNNING AT HIGH SPEED ALWAYS INSTEAD OF VARIABLE AND INTERMITTENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND WAS GIVEN THE BAD NEW ABOUT THE WIRING HARNESS. COST TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND OTHER INCIDENTALS: $2,250. *TR Look up ODI 10226574 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10104057 · 118,000 mi WIRING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ALL RUBBER HOSES ON THE VACUUM SYSTEM HAVE DETERIORATED .THE WIRING CONNECTORS HAVE ALL FELL APART AND THE HOSES HAVE TURNED HARD AND FELL APART. *JB Look up ODI 10104057 at NHTSA ↗	430.8% ODI 10134359 · 110,000 mi I HAVE A 1992 300CE MERCEDES BENZ. THE WIRING HARNESS IS BAD AND I'M TOLD THAT THE PLASTIC WAS MADE OF WHAT HAS BEEN OUTLAWED. THIS MATERIAL MAY CAUSE A FIRE. WHAT IF ANYTHING CAN I DO TO REMEDY THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY AN ARM AN LEG, AS FAR AS THE MERCEDES COMPANY IS CONCERNED? HELP!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE NOTE THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT BUT IN ORDER TO PROCEED I HAD TO PUT IN A DATE. THANK YOU. *JB Look up ODI 10134359 at NHTSA ↗	29.5% ODI 10010094 WIRING HARNESS ON 1993-1994 MERCEDES BENZ 300E. THIS IS A KNOWN FAULT BY MERCEDES BENZ RESULTING IN A PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE WIRING HARNESS RUNNING ALONG THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS A LARGE STOCK TO MEET THE DEMAND!*JB Look up ODI 10010094 at NHTSA ↗	325.0% ODI 10214284 · 146,900 mi ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WIRING INSULATION UNDER HOOD IS DETERIORATED, CRACKED, TURNED TO POWDER AND IS FALLING OFF COPPER WIRES. GLOW PLUG WIRING HAS CRACKED AND EXPOSED COPPER CAUSING MALFUNCTION TO GLOW PLUG RELAY. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WIRING FAILED. *TR Look up ODI 10214284 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.7% ODI 10268253 · 100,500 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 05/19/09 BF T… Look up ODI 10268253 at NHTSA ↗	14.8% ODI 10234293 · 130,000 mi CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH,AND SMELLING LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. *TR Look up ODI 10234293 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 10425358 · 260,300 mi ENGINE OF 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON MISFIRED AND STALLED. INVESTIGATING THE PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE HARNESS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SHORTED OUT. *KB Look up ODI 10425358 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10186762 RADIO, ALARM, BACKUP WARNING, MOON ROOF, QUIT WORKING. BATTERY DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD DIFFICULTIES STARTING AND RUNNING ROUGH. BOTH WIRING HARNESSES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB Look up ODI 10186762 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.8% ODI 10049597 · 46,000 mi I HAVE OWNED THREE PREVIOUS MBZ AUTOMOBILES. TODAY, I OWN A 1993 300SE WITH LESS THAN 46000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS CAR'S ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE WAS MORE THAN $72000. EVEN THOUGH I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS AUTOMOBILE, AND WHILE IT IS MOSTLY GARAGED AS IT IS MY WEEKEND SEDAN, OVER $7K HAS BEEN SPENT IN CORRECTING KNOWN PROBLEMS OF THIS MODEL. TO NAME JUST A FEW OF THE LARGER ITEMS CORRECTED, A LEAKING HEAD GASKET, BAD MOTOR MOUNTS, AND INOPERABLE PNEUMATIC SELF CLOSING DOORS. WILL I CONTINUE MY AFFAIR WITH MBZ, LEXUS MAY BE GETTING… Look up ODI 10049597 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	00.0% 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.	14.8% ODI 10214249 · 132,000 mi MY 1993 MERCEDES 300E EXPERIENCED SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH ITS WIRING IN THE HARNESS. AS A RESULT, I HAD IT TAKEN INTO A MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE INSULATION ON THE FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATED AND CAUSED THE WIRES TO RUB TOGETHER. IT APPEARS THAT THIS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY MERCEDES (ESPECIALLY THE MODELS FROM THE 90'S), AND I AM SURPRISED THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM, OR AT LEAST TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. MY CAR ENDED UP BE… Look up ODI 10214249 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 717654 THE VEHICLE IS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON PURCHASED NEW FROM MERCEDES IN FEBRUARY, 1996. THE CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 42,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED DURING OPERATION. ON FOUR (4) OCCASIONS TWICE THE WEEK OF JULY 5, 1999; ONCE ON JANUARY 5, 2000 AND AGAIN ON JANUARY 16, 2000 THE VEHICLE HAD TOTAL POWER FAILURE, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE MOTOR SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. ON THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS A FUEL PUMP… Look up ODI 717654 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.8% ODI 10100950 · 192,658 mi 93 300SE PURCHASED IN 1999; TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN MONTH AND HALF; 11/22/04 TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING ON HIGHWAY HALFWAY BETWEEN MEMPHIS AND ST LOUIS. WHEN WE TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. LIGHTS, RADIO, HORN, ETC WORKED, BUT CAR WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING. READ ARTICLE ON INTERNET REGARDING DEFECTIVE B2 PISTON AND 'T' SEAL IN 93 AND EARLIER TRANSMISSIONS (722.3,.4,.5). WE HAVE 722.502. MERCEDES (1-800 FOR MERC) DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MERCEDES TRANS SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN FIVE YEARS. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SIK… Look up ODI 10100950 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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	130,536–200,250 mi	152,500 mi	14	ODI 10052864 · 105,800 mi INTERMITTENT WIRING PROBLEMS CAUSE STALLING AND THE LOSS OF FUNCTIONS.AK Look up ODI 10052864 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10209057 · 130,048 mi I BOUGHT THE CAR USED.... I NOW KNOW WHY THE MAN WAS SO EAGER TO SELL AT SUCH A REASONABLE PRICE. CAR CONTINUES TO STALL ON ME, AFTER LETTING IT SIT AND COOL FOR APPROX. 20+ MINS IT WILL USUALLY START. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ON FIRE, BY THE TIME I GOT PULLED OVER, THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF SMOKE. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ANYTHING OVER 5-10 MINS IT SMELLS AS IF IT WERE ON FIRE. TR Look up ODI 10209057 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10105816 · 150,000 mi UNEXPLAINED ELECTRICAL-RELATED PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THE CAR'S ABILITY TO OPERATE NORMALLY AND SAFELY. SEVERAL INSTANCES OF CAR GOING INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE AFTER STOPPING AT STOPLIGHT. THIS OCCURRED ON 1/3/05. TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING RESOLVED ON ALL OCASIONS. CAR ALSO RUNS ROUGH AND HAS INSTANCES WHERE IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN REQUIRED TO DO SO (FIRM PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR (AS IN PASSING) CAUSE ENGINE TO 1. MISFIRE AND 2. NOT DOWNSHIFT. SERVICE PEOPLE WILL NOT LOOK AT THE PROBLEM UNTIL "KNOWN ENGINE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS" IS REPLAC… Look up ODI 10105816 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	127,500–182,405 mi	162,500 mi	16	ODI 10259977 · 240,000 mi ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS OF THE 1992 W140 MERCEDES BENZ 300SD SHORTED OUT AND CAUSE A FIRE INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I SHUT OF THE POWER SOURCE AND NOW MY CAR IS WORTHLESS SINCE THE WIRING IS BAD. TR Look up ODI 10259977 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10269282 · 100,500 mi 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE THE ISSUE IS FROM THE RESULTS OF A DRYROTTED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. DURING THE TIME PERIOD THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED MERCEDES BENZ USED A BIODEGRATABLE MATERIAL FOR THE WIRE COVERINGS. THIS MATERIAL THROUGH THE YEARS COULD NOT WITHSTAND THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES KNOW ABOUT AND HAS SINCE CHANGED THE WIRING HARNESS COVER MATERIAL A FEW YEAR LATER. ALL THEIR MECHANICS KNOW THIS AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON EVERY MERCEDES FORUM THAT I HAVE FOUND. I AM TALKING ABOUT TH… Look up ODI 10269282 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10488025 · 130,000 mi THE GUY SOLD TO ME WITH IT NOT RUNNING HE SAID HE HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED AND IT STILL DON'T RUN 700 WAS SPENT I HAVE RECITE ITS A 1992 300SE THIS IS SICK THIS IS WHAT [XXX] TOLD HIM AND IT STILL DON'T RUN SO NOW WHAT? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). TR Look up ODI 10488025 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	105,250–168,450 mi	118,000 mi	7	ODI 10104057 · 118,000 mi WIRING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ALL RUBBER HOSES ON THE VACUUM SYSTEM HAVE DETERIORATED .THE WIRING CONNECTORS HAVE ALL FELL APART AND THE HOSES HAVE TURNED HARD AND FELL APART. JB Look up ODI 10104057 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10134359 · 110,000 mi I HAVE A 1992 300CE MERCEDES BENZ. THE WIRING HARNESS IS BAD AND I'M TOLD THAT THE PLASTIC WAS MADE OF WHAT HAS BEEN OUTLAWED. THIS MATERIAL MAY CAUSE A FIRE. WHAT IF ANYTHING CAN I DO TO REMEDY THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY AN ARM AN LEG, AS FAR AS THE MERCEDES COMPANY IS CONCERNED? HELP!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE NOTE THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT BUT IN ORDER TO PROCEED I HAD TO PUT IN A DATE. THANK YOU. JB Look up ODI 10134359 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10268253 · 100,500 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 05/19/09 BF T… Look up ODI 10268253 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	130,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10268253 · 100,500 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 05/19/09 BF T… Look up ODI 10268253 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10234293 · 130,000 mi CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH,AND SMELLING LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. TR Look up ODI 10234293 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10425358 · 260,300 mi ENGINE OF 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON MISFIRED AND STALLED. INVESTIGATING THE PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE HARNESS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SHORTED OUT. KB Look up ODI 10425358 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	46,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10049597 · 46,000 mi I HAVE OWNED THREE PREVIOUS MBZ AUTOMOBILES. TODAY, I OWN A 1993 300SE WITH LESS THAN 46000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS CAR'S ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE WAS MORE THAN $72000. EVEN THOUGH I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS AUTOMOBILE, AND WHILE IT IS MOSTLY GARAGED AS IT IS MY WEEKEND SEDAN, OVER $7K HAS BEEN SPENT IN CORRECTING KNOWN PROBLEMS OF THIS MODEL. TO NAME JUST A FEW OF THE LARGER ITEMS CORRECTED, A LEAKING HEAD GASKET, BAD MOTOR MOUNTS, AND INOPERABLE PNEUMATIC SELF CLOSING DOORS. WILL I CONTINUE MY AFFAIR WITH MBZ, LEXUS MAY BE GETTING… Look up ODI 10049597 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	Too few reports for a range	132,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10214249 · 132,000 mi MY 1993 MERCEDES 300E EXPERIENCED SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH ITS WIRING IN THE HARNESS. AS A RESULT, I HAD IT TAKEN INTO A MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE INSULATION ON THE FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATED AND CAUSED THE WIRES TO RUB TOGETHER. IT APPEARS THAT THIS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY MERCEDES (ESPECIALLY THE MODELS FROM THE 90'S), AND I AM SURPRISED THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM, OR AT LEAST TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. MY CAR ENDED UP BE… Look up ODI 10214249 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	192,658 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10100950 · 192,658 mi 93 300SE PURCHASED IN 1999; TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN MONTH AND HALF; 11/22/04 TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING ON HIGHWAY HALFWAY BETWEEN MEMPHIS AND ST LOUIS. WHEN WE TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. LIGHTS, RADIO, HORN, ETC WORKED, BUT CAR WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING. READ ARTICLE ON INTERNET REGARDING DEFECTIVE B2 PISTON AND 'T' SEAL IN 93 AND EARLIER TRANSMISSIONS (722.3,.4,.5). WE HAVE 722.502. MERCEDES (1-800 FOR MERC) DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MERCEDES TRANS SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN FIVE YEARS. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SIK… Look up ODI 10100950 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1993: 0 complaints · 1995: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1993	0	0	0
1995	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1993	21	0	0
1995	12	0	0

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
Component	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Electrical System	Electrical System:Wiring	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	—	1 ODI 10210113 · 120,000 mi ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY 1993 300E MERCEDES. THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WITH EXTENSIVE CRACKS WITH ALL OF THE WIRES CAUSED THE FIRE. NOW I DISCOVER, THIS IS AN INFERIOR PART PLACED IN THE CAR WITH FABRIC TAPE WRAPPING. 100'S OF THESE KIND OF FIRES HAVE OCCURRED, WITH OUT A RECALL ON THIS MODEL. *TR Look up ODI 10210113 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10214284 · 146,900 mi ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WIRING INSULATION UNDER HOOD IS DETERIORATED, CRACKED, TURNED TO POWDER AND IS FALLING OFF COPPER WIRES. GLOW PLUG WIRING HAS CRACKED AND EXPOSED COPPER CAUSING MALFUNCTION TO GLOW PLUG RELAY. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WIRING FAILED. TR Look up ODI 10214284 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10425358 · 260,300 mi ENGINE OF 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON MISFIRED AND STALLED. INVESTIGATING THE PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE HARNESS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SHORTED OUT. KB Look up ODI 10425358 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10425358 · 260,300 mi ENGINE OF 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON MISFIRED AND STALLED. INVESTIGATING THE PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE HARNESS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SHORTED OUT. *KB Look up ODI 10425358 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10214249 · 132,000 mi MY 1993 MERCEDES 300E EXPERIENCED SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH ITS WIRING IN THE HARNESS. AS A RESULT, I HAD IT TAKEN INTO A MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE INSULATION ON THE FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATED AND CAUSED THE WIRES TO RUB TOGETHER. IT APPEARS THAT THIS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY MERCEDES (ESPECIALLY THE MODELS FROM THE 90'S), AND I AM SURPRISED THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM, OR AT LEAST TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. MY CAR ENDED UP BE… Look up ODI 10214249 at NHTSA ↗	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 10210113 · 120,000 mi ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY 1993 300E MERCEDES. THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WITH EXTENSIVE CRACKS WITH ALL OF THE WIRES CAUSED THE FIRE. NOW I DISCOVER, THIS IS AN INFERIOR PART PLACED IN THE CAR WITH FABRIC TAPE WRAPPING. 100'S OF THESE KIND OF FIRES HAVE OCCURRED, WITH OUT A RECALL ON THIS MODEL. *TR Look up ODI 10210113 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring	2 ODI 10214284 · 146,900 mi ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WIRING INSULATION UNDER HOOD IS DETERIORATED, CRACKED, TURNED TO POWDER AND IS FALLING OFF COPPER WIRES. GLOW PLUG WIRING HAS CRACKED AND EXPOSED COPPER CAUSING MALFUNCTION TO GLOW PLUG RELAY. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WIRING FAILED. TR Look up ODI 10214284 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10425358 · 260,300 mi ENGINE OF 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON MISFIRED AND STALLED. INVESTIGATING THE PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE HARNESS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SHORTED OUT. KB Look up ODI 10425358 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	2 ODI 10268253 · 100,500 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 05/19/09 BF T… Look up ODI 10268253 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10425358 · 260,300 mi ENGINE OF 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON MISFIRED AND STALLED. INVESTIGATING THE PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE HARNESS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SHORTED OUT. *KB Look up ODI 10425358 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10186762 RADIO, ALARM, BACKUP WARNING, MOON ROOF, QUIT WORKING. BATTERY DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD DIFFICULTIES STARTING AND RUNNING ROUGH. BOTH WIRING HARNESSES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB Look up ODI 10186762 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	1 ODI 10425358 · 260,300 mi ENGINE OF 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON MISFIRED AND STALLED. INVESTIGATING THE PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE HARNESS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SHORTED OUT. *KB Look up ODI 10425358 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10268253 · 100,500 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500. UPDATED 05/19/09 BF T… Look up ODI 10268253 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10425358 · 260,300 mi ENGINE OF 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON MISFIRED AND STALLED. INVESTIGATING THE PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE HARNESS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND SHORTED OUT. *KB Look up ODI 10425358 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	0	0	1 ODI 10186762 RADIO, ALARM, BACKUP WARNING, MOON ROOF, QUIT WORKING. BATTERY DIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD DIFFICULTIES STARTING AND RUNNING ROUGH. BOTH WIRING HARNESSES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB Look up ODI 10186762 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	1 ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	1 ODI 10214249 · 132,000 mi MY 1993 MERCEDES 300E EXPERIENCED SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH ITS WIRING IN THE HARNESS. AS A RESULT, I HAD IT TAKEN INTO A MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE INSULATION ON THE FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATED AND CAUSED THE WIRES TO RUB TOGETHER. IT APPEARS THAT THIS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY MERCEDES (ESPECIALLY THE MODELS FROM THE 90'S), AND I AM SURPRISED THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM, OR AT LEAST TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. MY CAR ENDED UP BE… Look up ODI 10214249 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 8000846 FORMANIC TRANSFER CASE FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT 42718 MILES, FORMANIC LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TRANSFER CASE REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 1/10/01 AT 84,000 MILES, HOWEVER, FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, FAILURE OF INTERNAL BEARINGS, CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR FOR A THIRD TIME. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO DISPOSE OF VEHICLE WHOLESALE, NOT WORTH REPAIRING.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH COOLANT IN SYSTEM DUE TO COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR… Look up ODI 8000846 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

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.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

14 mentions · 26.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 156,000 mi (12 usable records).

ODI 10052864 · 105,800 mi

INTERMITTENT WIRING PROBLEMS CAUSE STALLING AND THE LOSS OF FUNCTIONS.*AK

Look up ODI 10052864 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10014208 · 143,137 mi

Look up ODI 10014208 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10163361

1992 MERCEDES 300E, ENGINE WIRING HARNESS FAILING CAUSING CAR TO SHORT OUT, STALL, NOT DRIVABLE. *NM

Look up ODI 10163361 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

3 mentions · 5.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 160,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10395666 · 152,000 mi

1993 300E EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INTERMITTENT CHECK ENGINE CODE FAILURES, RACING AT IDLE, STALLING, ALL OF WHICH RESULTED IN COSTLY REPAIRS INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF MAF , 02 SENSOR, HOT AIR FLOW SENSOR, OVER VOLTAGE RELAY, SEVERAL BLOWN FUSES, IGNITION COILS, CLIMATE CONTROL AMPLIFIER. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY PARTS I HAVE REPLACED.. CAR INTERMITTENTLY DIES OR RACES IDLE ON FREEWAY WITH NO WARNING AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VERY DANGEROUS. TROUBLE SHOOTING REVEALED THAT THE MAIN ENGINE HARNESS IS DETERIORATING. THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM F…

Look up ODI 10395666 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10395790 · 160,000 mi

300E ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEGRADING, FLAKING INSULATION, SHORTING WIRES FOR ALL SYSTEMS, MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. RACING IDLE, UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION, STALLING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF. REPLACED THOUSANDS $$ IN PARTS ONLY TO FIND IT IS A WELL SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NO-ONE, INCLUDING THE NHTSA HAS THE COURAGE TO ADDRESS. CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND REQUIRE OVER $3,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE HARNESSES. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN? SOME OF THE REPORTS INVOLVE DEATH AND OR FIRE. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBL…

Look up ODI 10395790 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10229755 · 177,900 mi

VEHICLE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, BLOWING FUSES, WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, ENGINE COOLING FAN NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE INSULATION IS SEVERELY DETERIORATED ON THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS (MERCEDES BENZ PART NUMBER 124-440-32-32). THE INSULATION ON ALMOST ALL OF THE WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACKED OPEN AND LARGE PORTIONS OF THE INSULATION HAVE FALLEN OFF LEAVING BARE WIRES EXPOSED WHICH ARE CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITS AND GROUND CIRCUITS. THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT OPER…

Look up ODI 10229755 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 192,658 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10100950 · 192,658 mi

93 300SE PURCHASED IN 1999; TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN MONTH AND HALF; 11/22/04 TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING ON HIGHWAY HALFWAY BETWEEN MEMPHIS AND ST LOUIS. WHEN WE TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. LIGHTS, RADIO, HORN, ETC WORKED, BUT CAR WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING. READ ARTICLE ON INTERNET REGARDING DEFECTIVE B2 PISTON AND 'T' SEAL IN 93 AND EARLIER TRANSMISSIONS (722.3,.4,.5). WE HAVE 722.502. MERCEDES (1-800 FOR MERC) DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MERCEDES TRANS SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN FIVE YEARS. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SIK…

Look up ODI 10100950 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 717654

THE VEHICLE IS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 STATION WAGON PURCHASED NEW FROM MERCEDES IN FEBRUARY, 1996. THE CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 42,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED DURING OPERATION. ON FOUR (4) OCCASIONS TWICE THE WEEK OF JULY 5, 1999; ONCE ON JANUARY 5, 2000 AND AGAIN ON JANUARY 16, 2000 THE VEHICLE HAD TOTAL POWER FAILURE, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE MOTOR SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. ON THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS A FUEL PUMP…

Look up ODI 717654 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 717654

Look up ODI 717654 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b