Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz 420 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

78 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

109,375 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1986 to 1999 model years. Data updated: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 78 complaints (6.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues1316.7%
Braking behavior810.3%
Transmission and shifting45.1%
Engine operation45.1%
Steering behavior45.1%
Fuel system concerns45.1%

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.

Electrical System
5
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
5
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
5
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
Suspension:Front
4
Vehicle Speed Control
4
Air Bags:Frontal
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System5
Power Train:Automatic Transmission5
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs5
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip4
Suspension:Front4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Air Bags:Frontal3

Electrical System: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 5; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Suspension:Front: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
5
100,000 to 149,999
11
150,000 and above
6
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9995
100,000 to 149,99911
150,000 and above6

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 6

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 54 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.

1995
8
1996
4
1997
4
1998
2
1999
13
2000
6
2001
4
2002
4
2003
2
2004
2
2005
7
2006
4
2007
4
2008
6
2009
1
2011
2
2012
4
2013
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19958
19964
19974
19982
199913
20006
20014
20024
20032
20042
20057
20064
20074
20086
20091
20112
20124
20131

1995: 8; 1996: 4; 1997: 4; 1998: 2; 1999: 13; 2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 7; 2006: 4; 2007: 4; 2008: 6; 2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2013: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 10157901 · 2006-05-19 (May 19, 2006)

5/18/2006. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE TO MBZ REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS'S WIRE INSULATION BREAKING APART AND EXPOSING THE BARE WIRING. COST OF REPAIR +$900.00. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157901 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10169170 · 2006-09-25 (September 25, 2006)

VEHICLE CHECKED AND FOUND THAT INSULATION ON ALL OF THE FUEL INJECTION WIRING, TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND FAN THERMAL SWITCH HARNESS DETERIORATED CAUSING WIRES TO RUB TOGETHER. CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT HARNESS INSULATION IS MADE OF VERY POOR MATERIAL. THE INSULATION BREAKS VERY EASY AT THE TOUCH AND TURNS INTO DUST. THE WHOLE WIRE HARNESS IS IN THE SAME SITUATION THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE CAN STALL OR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED. REPLACE OF WIRE HARNESS AT A COST OF$1500 WAS NEEDED TO FIX. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10169170 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 848704 · 1999-09-24 (September 24, 1999)

THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING THEIR IS A GASOLINE SMELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE, THE ANTENNA IS BROKEN, BRAKE LIGHTAND THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED AND THEIR IS A HOLE WITHIN THE GAS TANK. MJS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 848704 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 963593 · 1995-04-10 (April 10, 1995)

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TRYING TO TURN A CURB THE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAIL LOST CONTROL WAS IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTALED. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963593 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10452795 · 2012-03-23 (March 23, 2012)

CAR STOPPED SHIFTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ASR LIGHT APPEARED WHILE DRIVING. TOOK CAR INTO AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD WIRING HARNESS WOULD NEED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED AND WOULD COST MORE THAN AUTO'S WORTH. SAID THESE CARS WERE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING WIRING HARNESS PROBLEMS AND CAN NOT BELIEVE IT HAS NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE YET. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452795 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 603600 · 1997-09-11 (September 11, 1997)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 603600 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10194198 · 2007-06-25 (June 25, 2007)

1995 E420 MERCEDES BENZ: WIRE HARNESS HAS PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING UNSAFE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS TO APPEAR IN VEHICLE SUCH AS: SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND UNRESPONSIVENESS TO ACCELERATOR INPUT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 108,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10194198 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033790 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, FIRE CAME THROUGH THE FIREWALL. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND THE VEHICLE PARKED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033790 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 506873 · 1996-07-30 (July 30, 1996)

AFTER TURNING RIGHT, STEERING WHEEL RESISTS TURNING BACK TO LEFT POSITION.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506873 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 602987 · 1997-04-10 (April 10, 1997)

FUEL PUMP DEFECTIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 602987 at NHTSA ↗

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.

1986
0
1987
0
1988
0
1989
0
1990
1
1991
0
1994
0
1995
0
1996
0
1997
0
1999
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19860
19870
19880
19890
19901
19910
19940
19950
19960
19970
19990

1986: 0; 1987: 0; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 1; 1991: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1999: 0

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz 420 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
198660Not available
1987300
1988100
1989200
199031+1
199140-1
1994160Not available
19951500
1996100
19972200
199950Not available
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

78 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

30.8%Usable mileage24 / 78 records
93.6%Valid incident date73 / 78 records
100.0%Valid filing date78 / 78 records
93.6%Ordered incident and filing dates73 / 78 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
Component19861987198819891990199119941995199619971999
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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

212.5%
ODI 10225890 · 90,000 mi

I OWN A 1994 S 420 MERCEDES-BENZ I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY CHILD'S SAFETY AND MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL. THE WIRING HARNESS IS SHORTING OUT EVERYWHERE... SHAME ON MERCEDES-BENZ OF AMERICA..THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS DANGER AND JUST IGNORE THE WHOLE THING.. I'VE RESEARCHED IT REALLY WELL AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS OVER AND OVER WITH ALL CARS OF THIS VINTAGE..I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION???THEY SHOULD STAND UP TO THE PLATE.. THE HARNESS IS 7-8 HUNDRED DOLLARS.. COME ON GUYS!!! HOW MUCH DO YO…

Look up ODI 10225890 at NHTSA ↗

320.0%
ODI 10235385 · 100,000 mi

1995 420S MERCEDES IS HAVING PROBLEMS FIRING. CONCERNED ABOUT WIRING HARNESS. WAS CHECK AND MAY BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS IF SO MANY PEOPLE THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM? CAR IS HESITATING WHEN KEY IS TURNED TO RIGHT AND WILL NOT FIRE CORRECTLY. *TR

Look up ODI 10235385 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

213.3%
ODI 489836

VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY VIBRATES WHEN IN ANY GEAR OTHER THAN NEUTRAL, DUE TO POSSIBLE DRIVE TRAIN COMPLICATIONS. *SKD

Look up ODI 489836 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

29.1%
ODI 603600

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Look up ODI 603600 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 705376

TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN TWO WEEKS. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT, AGAIN. *AK

Look up ODI 705376 at NHTSA ↗

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
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.

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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

522.7%
ODI 10061781

WHILE VEHICLE SAT IDLING, THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING SUDDENLY DETACHED FROM ITS WELDED POSITION. (NAR) *PH *CB

Look up ODI 10061781 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

16.3%
ODI 10220009 · 139,595 mi

VEHICLE IS RUNNING ERRATICALLY. UPON INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IN MODEL YEARS INCLUDING MY 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E420 HAVE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH DETERIORATING INSULATION. AS SOME FIRES AND CRASHES HAVE BEEN REPORTED, I AM PAYING TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED. *TR

Look up ODI 10220009 at NHTSA ↗

320.0%
ODI 10033790

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, FIRE CAME THROUGH THE FIREWALL. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND THE VEHICLE PARKED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *SCC *JB

Look up ODI 10033790 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 963593

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TRYING TO TURN A CURB THE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAIL LOST CONTROL WAS IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTALED. TT

Look up ODI 963593 at NHTSA ↗

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.

212.5%
ODI 761678

THE PROBLEM STARTED LAST AUGUST. IT OCCURRS ONLY OCCASIONALLY AND HAS NEVER BEEN DUPLICATED WHEN AT A DEALERSHIP OR REPAIR SHOP. AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES AND COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL FORWARD. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLY IT, THE CAR THEN STOPS. HOWEVER, ON APRIL 7TH WHEN THIS OCCURRED REAPPLYING THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE CAR AND I ROLLED INTO THE REAR END OF A TRATOR TRAILER TRUCK WHO WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2001 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IN HAVERHILL, MA SMITH MOTORS. …

Look up ODI 761678 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 723734

STRANGE ELECTRONIC WHIRRING SOUND WHEN STARTING VEHICLE ON 6/7. SIDE VIEW MIRRORS SUDDENLY MOVED AND THEN CLOSED HALFWAY. NO RESPONSE FROM INTERIOR CONSOLE CONTROL. STEERING WHEEL ALSO BEGAN TO MOVE UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN. REAR BRAKES CONTINUED TO SQUEAK AND GRAB. WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY LAST NOVEMBER.

Look up ODI 723734 at NHTSA ↗

Suspension:Front
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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 966799

THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WANDER, ALSO EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. TT

Look up ODI 966799 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

313.6%
ODI 10152198 · 102,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED TO 5 MPH AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE COIL SPRING ONTO THE FRAME HAD DISCONNECTED CAUSING THE COIL SPRING TO FALL OFF. THE LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALER STATED THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR IF DONE BY THEIR BODY SHOP. THE REPAIR WAS $2600. THE CONTACT WANTED THE REPAIRS DONE LOCALLY AND OPTED FOR THE DEAL. THE CONTACT CLAIMED T…

Look up ODI 10152198 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Vehicle Speed Control
116.7%
ODI 969010

THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT A LIGHT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Look up ODI 969010 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 731002

FRON PARKED POSITION, WHEN VEHICLE PUT IN GEAR, CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED WITHOUT ENGAGING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. BREAK WOULD NOT STOP CAR. *AK

Look up ODI 731002 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

16.3%
ODI 8012437

AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE WILL TRY TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. HAS REPLACED SEVERAL BRAKE PARTS BUT FOUND NOTHING.*AK. CONSUMER STATED INCIDENT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR AN HOUR OR MORE, THERE IS USUALLY A SOUND, CONSUMER ALSO STATED ALL 4 ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.*JB

Look up ODI 8012437 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

14.5%
ODI 506530

CRUISE CONTROL IS LOCATED ON A SMALL STALK NEXT TO LARGER STALK FOR TURN SIGNALS, UPON TURNING, BOTH STALKS ARE MOVED, CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL TO COME ON.

Look up ODI 506530 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags:Frontal
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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 10115576

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN FRONT END COLLISION WITH HIS 1991 MERCEDES BENZ 420 SEL. **NAR*** *NM *SC *JB

Look up ODI 10115576 at NHTSA ↗

16.3%
ODI 973045

AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHILE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 30 MPH. TT

Look up ODI 973045 at NHTSA ↗

16.7%
ODI 502724

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIRBAG, CAUSING INJURY IN ACCIDENT. *SD

Look up ODI 502724 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

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 range95,784 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10225890 · 90,000 mi

I OWN A 1994 S 420 MERCEDES-BENZ I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY CHILD'S SAFETY AND MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL. THE WIRING HARNESS IS SHORTING OUT EVERYWHERE... SHAME ON MERCEDES-BENZ OF AMERICA..THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS DANGER AND JUST IGNORE THE WHOLE THING.. I'VE RESEARCHED IT REALLY WELL AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS OVER AND OVER WITH ALL CARS OF THIS VINTAGE..I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION???THEY SHOULD STAND UP TO THE PLATE.. THE HARNESS IS 7-8 HUNDRED DOLLARS.. COME ON GUYS!!! HOW MUCH DO YO…

Look up ODI 10225890 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10452795 · 170,000 mi

CAR STOPPED SHIFTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ASR LIGHT APPEARED WHILE DRIVING. TOOK CAR INTO AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD WIRING HARNESS WOULD NEED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED AND WOULD COST MORE THAN AUTO'S WORTH. SAID THESE CARS WERE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING WIRING HARNESS PROBLEMS AND CAN NOT BELIEVE IT HAS NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE YET. *TR

Look up ODI 10452795 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10235385 · 100,000 mi

1995 420S MERCEDES IS HAVING PROBLEMS FIRING. CONCERNED ABOUT WIRING HARNESS. WAS CHECK AND MAY BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS IF SO MANY PEOPLE THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM? CAR IS HESITATING WHEN KEY IS TURNED TO RIGHT AND WILL NOT FIRE CORRECTLY. *TR

Look up ODI 10235385 at NHTSA ↗

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsToo few reports for a range107,000 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10160968 · 150,000 mi

LEFT UPPER SUSPENSION SPRING SUPPORT SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED A SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT FROM ON THE CAR. I REMOVED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT THE SPRING SUPPORT WAS JUST ABOUT READY TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE FRAME. I WAS HORRIFIED TO THINK OF WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED IF THIS WOULD HAVE FAILED DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MERCEDES BENZ OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR HOWEVER, THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE WHOLE REPAIR. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. *JB

Look up ODI 10160968 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10180740 · 107,000 mi

TL* - ON 1/16/07 THE LEFT UPPER SUSPENSION SPRING SUPPORT SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME OF A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ 420. ON 01/02/07 THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN MORRISTOWN, NJ FOR A SAFETY CHECK, AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS. ON 01/23/07 CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE LEFT PERCH WAS RUSTED ,AND THAT THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Look up ODI 10180740 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10201267 · 88,300 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ 420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AT THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RUST ENCOMPASSES THE ENTIRE AREA WHERE THE COIL SPRING CRACKED. HE INSPECTED THE COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IT TOO HAS RUST, BUT IT IS NOT AS NOTICEABLE AS THE DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING. THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $666. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,300.

Look up ODI 10201267 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Wiring:Front UnderhoodToo few reports for a range110,000 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10220009 · 139,595 mi

VEHICLE IS RUNNING ERRATICALLY. UPON INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IN MODEL YEARS INCLUDING MY 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E420 HAVE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH DETERIORATING INSULATION. AS SOME FIRES AND CRASHES HAVE BEEN REPORTED, I AM PAYING TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED. *TR

Look up ODI 10220009 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10128910 · 110,000 mi

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF A 1995 MERCEDEZ-BENZ E420, I WAS TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OF THE NEED TO REPLACE WIRING HARNESSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION BECOMES BRITTLE, CRACKS, AND FALLS OFF. THIS WAS DEMONSTRATED TO BE THE CASE ON MY CAR, WITH THE MECHANIC SHOWING ME THE CONDITION OF THE WIRES IN THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THIS REPAIR COST ME OVER $2000 - OF COURSE I HAVE RECEIPTS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT - IT IS SO PREVALENT, I CAN FIND COUNTLESS MENTIONS OF IT IN MERCEDES DISCUSSION B…

Look up ODI 10128910 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10136415 · 58,000 mi

TWO MAJOR FAILURES OF WIRING ON MY 1995 S420. (1) MAIN WIRING HARNESS SHORTED, BURNED INSULATION AND FAILURE TO OPERATE. DEALER CLAIMED NORMAL WITH A CAR THIS AGE. (2) THROTTLE ACTUATOR WIRING HARNESS SHORTED, AGAIN BURNED INSULATION AND OPERATE IN LIMPED MODE ONLY. CONTACTED REGIONAL MANAGER AND MB USA, RESULTING IN SENDING IN DAMAGED PART TO MB USA FOR ENGINEERING STUDY. ONE MONTH LATER I CONTACTED THE PRESIDENT OF MB USA. ONE WEEK LATER I WAS CONTACTED BY MB USA CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAS TOLD THEY (MB USA) KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE ENGINEERING ST…

Look up ODI 10136415 at NHTSA ↗

Suspension:FrontToo few reports for a range172,000 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10152198 · 102,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED TO 5 MPH AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE COIL SPRING ONTO THE FRAME HAD DISCONNECTED CAUSING THE COIL SPRING TO FALL OFF. THE LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALER STATED THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR IF DONE BY THEIR BODY SHOP. THE REPAIR WAS $2600. THE CONTACT WANTED THE REPAIRS DONE LOCALLY AND OPTED FOR THE DEAL. THE CONTACT CLAIMED T…

Look up ODI 10152198 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10257996 · 172,000 mi

1997 MERCEDES E420 DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING PERCH FAILURE. *TR

Look up ODI 10257996 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10413904 · 200,150 mi

I AM A VICTIM OF A DANGEROUS SAFETY DESIGN FLAW IN MY 1997 MERCEDES BENZ E420. LAST WEEK, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A LOCAL STREET NEAR OUR HOME, WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FLEW OUT OF THE CAR, RESULTING IN HER COMPLETELY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS - NO SOUNDS, RATTLES, ETC. LUCKILY, SHE WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED OF 35MPH AND THAT THE CARS AROUND HER STOPPED, ALLOWING HER TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, SHE AVOIDED ANY ACCIDENT AND WAS NOT HURT. T…

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Complaint and recall timeline

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

1 reports2024-102026-09

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
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

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.

2026-09 (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 25 reports

1997: 2 complaints · 1999: 5 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1997112
1999345
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
19971813
1999500

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 SystemPower Train:Automatic TransmissionSuspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsElectrical System:Wiring:Front UnderhoodService Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipSuspension:FrontVehicle Speed ControlAir Bags:Frontal
Electrical System—0000000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission0—000000
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs00—00000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood000—0000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip0000—000
Suspension:Front00000—00
Vehicle Speed Control000000—0
Air Bags:Frontal0000000—

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.

4 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 6.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 108,750 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10169170 · 117,000 mi

VEHICLE CHECKED AND FOUND THAT INSULATION ON ALL OF THE FUEL INJECTION WIRING, TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND FAN THERMAL SWITCH HARNESS DETERIORATED CAUSING WIRES TO RUB TOGETHER. CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT HARNESS INSULATION IS MADE OF VERY POOR MATERIAL. THE INSULATION BREAKS VERY EASY AT THE TOUCH AND TURNS INTO DUST. THE WHOLE WIRE HARNESS IS IN THE SAME SITUATION THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE CAN STALL OR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED. REPLACE OF WIRE HARNESS AT A COST OF$1500 WAS NEEDED TO FIX. *JB

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ODI 10194198 · 108,750 mi

1995 E420 MERCEDES BENZ: WIRE HARNESS HAS PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING UNSAFE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS TO APPEAR IN VEHICLE SUCH AS: SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND UNRESPONSIVENESS TO ACCELERATOR INPUT. *AK

Look up ODI 10194198 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10453897 · 91,567 mi

THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ S420 HAS DISINTEGRATED. THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRACKED AND BROKEN IN MANY PLACES, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A NON-OPERATING CONDITION. THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES SO FAR, IN TRAFFIC, AND WILL NOW NOT RUN AT ALL. APPARENTLY THE WIRES HAVE BROKEN DOWN DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THE WIRES WERE NOT SUITABLE FOR THE APPLICATION THEY WERE USED FOR. *TR

Look up ODI 10453897 at NHTSA ↗

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

4 mentions · 5.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 170,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10157901

5/18/2006. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE TO MBZ REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS'S WIRE INSULATION BREAKING APART AND EXPOSING THE BARE WIRING. COST OF REPAIR +$900.00. *JB

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ODI 10452795 · 170,000 mi

CAR STOPPED SHIFTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ASR LIGHT APPEARED WHILE DRIVING. TOOK CAR INTO AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD WIRING HARNESS WOULD NEED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED AND WOULD COST MORE THAN AUTO'S WORTH. SAID THESE CARS WERE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING WIRING HARNESS PROBLEMS AND CAN NOT BELIEVE IT HAS NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE YET. *TR

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ODI 714366

THE GAS TANK ON MY MERCEDES BENZ E420 COLLAPSED. IT LOOKED LIKE A GIANT STEPPED ON IT. PRIOR TO THE TANK COLLAPSING THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL EVAPORATION SYSTEM REPAIRED. I TOOK THE CAR TO BERBERIAN EUROPEAN MOTORS (A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER) IN STOCKTON CA. FOR REPAIR. THIS FAILURE IS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED BY MY CALIFORINA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY. THE MERCEDES BENZ FACTORY REP. SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER THE WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL THE REPAIRS MYSELF. MY POINT IN CON…

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

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 963593

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TRYING TO TURN A CURB THE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAIL LOST CONTROL WAS IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTALED. TT

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ODI 761678

THE PROBLEM STARTED LAST AUGUST. IT OCCURRS ONLY OCCASIONALLY AND HAS NEVER BEEN DUPLICATED WHEN AT A DEALERSHIP OR REPAIR SHOP. AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES AND COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL FORWARD. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLY IT, THE CAR THEN STOPS. HOWEVER, ON APRIL 7TH WHEN THIS OCCURRED REAPPLYING THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP THE CAR AND I ROLLED INTO THE REAR END OF A TRATOR TRAILER TRUCK WHO WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2001 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IN HAVERHILL, MA SMITH MOTORS. …

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Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 848704

THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING THEIR IS A GASOLINE SMELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE, THE ANTENNA IS BROKEN, BRAKE LIGHTAND THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED AND THEIR IS A HOLE WITHIN THE GAS TANK. MJS

Look up ODI 848704 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b