U.S. public vehicle records

Mercedes Benz 600 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

39 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

82,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1964 to 2001 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 27 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 39 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	25	64.1%
Engine operation	7	17.9%
Transmission and shifting	1	2.6%
Braking behavior	1	2.6%
Steering behavior	1	2.6%
Fuel system concerns	1	2.6%

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

Electrical System:Wiring

Engine And Engine Cooling

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Power Train

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Fuel System, Gasoline

Air Bags

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	12
Electrical System:Wiring	8
Engine And Engine Cooling	4
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	3
Power Train	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	2
Air Bags	1

Electrical System: 12; Electrical System:Wiring: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Power Train: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Air Bags: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 12 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

1996

1998

2002

2003

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2014

1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1998: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 6; 2007: 6; 2008: 7; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 25 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10153736 · 2006-03-26 (March 26, 2006)

RECENTLY I FOUND OUT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1991 600 SE IS DETERIORATING, ON SOME PLACES YOU CAN ALREADY SEE THE BARE WIRES. THIS CAR IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF OTHER REPAIRS, AND BEFORE WE CAN DO ANYTHING ELSE WE MUST REPLACE EVERY SINGLE HARNESS IN THE ENGINE BAY. WE ARE NOT A VERY RICH FAMILY AND CAN NOT AFFORD THAT. I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR ALMOST EVERY DAY AND AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF IT. WHY DOESN'T MERCEDES DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? THAT IS BEYOND ME. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153736 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10159751 · 2006-06-13 (June 13, 2006)

INTENSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DETERIORATING WIRING HARNESS IN MY 1992 600 SEL MERCEDES. THE WIRES ARE CRACKED IN NUMEROUS PLACES RESULTING IN INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTIONING OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10159751 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10232347 · 2008-06-26 (June 26, 2008)

VEHICLE IS A 1993 MERCEDES BENZ 600SEL. THE ASR (ACCELERATION SLIP CONTROL) WARNING LIGHT APPEARS AFTER THE ENGINE HAS STARTED (USUALLY LESS THAN 10 MINUTES). THE ENGINE SUFFERS LOSS OF POWER AND VEHICLE BECOMES UNDRIVABLE. MERCEDES MECHANIC STATES THE ENGINE HARNESS BODY MOUNTED (PART NO 1405404805) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRING IN THE HARNESS HAS APPARENTLY DEGRATED TO THE POINT WHERE SHORTING IS OCCURRING IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT(S).MERCEDES WANTS $3600 FOR THE PART ANT $650 FOR LABOR. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE REPLACED…

Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232347 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10243123 · 2008-09-22 (September 22, 2008)

I BOUGHT A CAR ON EBAY, THE OWNER DECLARED THE CAR WAS FINE AND I PROCEEDED WITH THE SALE. I DROVE UP TO PA. TO PICK THE CAR UP AND THE GENTLEMAN SAID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS SOON AS HE STARTED IT THAT MORNING. WE THEN WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A O2 SENSOR, AND QUOTED ME $200,00 INSTALLED. I DECLINED AND BROUGHT THE CAR HOME TO HAVE MY OWN PEOPLE WORK ON THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY TOLD ME THE WIRING HARNESS WAS SHOT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. $2,000.00. I TOLD THE SELLER AND HE SAID TOO BAD FOR YO…

Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243123 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10482633 · 2012-10-30 (October 30, 2012)

I WAS DRIVING MY 1993 MERCEDES TO A GAS STATION IN MY TOWN BEFORE A PLANNED TRIP OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES OF OPEN HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. I SLOWED DOWN AND TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET. SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE TRANSMISSION HUMP SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RAN TO FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHILE CALLING 911. POLICE ARRIVED AND KEPT ME AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSED IT ALL DOWN THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND I WAS VERY SHA…

Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482633 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10040317 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SUDDENLY DISENGAGE AND WAS INTERMITTENT, THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT DURING BAD WEATHER, THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME, THE ABC WARNING HAD COME ON, THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, THE BRAKE-LINING HAD GONE THIN, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THE TANK WAS FILLED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD GONE OUT (AGAIN), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR WASH WHEN WATER GUSHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH THE W…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040317 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10398393 · 2011-05-01 (May 1, 2011)

I OWN A WHITE 1992 600SEL WITH 85,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE CAR'S INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HOWEVER, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS IS DISINTEGRATING CAUSING ALL KIND OF ERRATIC ENGINE AND DRIVE-ABILITY BEHAVIOR. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL. IT IS LOOSING POWER, POWER STEERING IS GETTING STIFFER, AND SMELLS LIKE SULFUR ALL THE TIME. THE LAST TWO DAYS THE CAR IS RUNNING VERY SLUGGISH AND MAKES MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR JOINING TRAFFIC ON FREEWAYS DANGEROUS AS THE CAR CAN'T GAIN SPEED FAST ENOUGH DUE TO THE HESITATION CAUSED…

Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398393 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1992

1993

1994

1995

1997

2001

1992: 0; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1997: 0; 2001: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mercedes Benz 600 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1964	0	1	Not available
1965	0	1	0
1966	0	1	0
1967	0	1	0
1992	8	0	Not available
1993	6	1	+1
1994	8	1	0
1995	7	0	-1
1997	2	0	Not available
2001	8	0	Not available

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

69.2%Usable mileage27 / 39 records

97.4%Valid incident date38 / 39 records

100.0%Valid filing date39 / 39 records

97.4%Ordered incident and filing dates38 / 39 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	1992	1993	1994	1995	1997	2001
Electrical System	112.5% ODI 10419382 · 86,661 mi THE BODY AND ENGINE HARNESS HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE CONTAINING MANY BARED WIRES BECAUSE THE WIRE COVERING IS DEFECTIVE. MY MERCEDES 600S SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND BECAUSE OF THIS I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I FOUND OUT LATER AT A MECHANICAL SHOP THAT THE ENGINE WENT INTO SOMETHING CALLED "LIMPMODE" AND THIS CAUSED THE SUDDEN DECELERATION. I WAS FURTHER ADVISED THAT THIS ACTION WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT IN ONE OF THE BARED WIRES OF THE ENGINE BODY HARNESS. UPON OBSERVATION THE WHOLE BODY WIRE HARNESS OF MANY WIRES EXHI… Look up ODI 10419382 at NHTSA ↗	466.7% ODI 10232347 · 115,000 mi VEHICLE IS A 1993 MERCEDES BENZ 600SEL. THE ASR (ACCELERATION SLIP CONTROL) WARNING LIGHT APPEARS AFTER THE ENGINE HAS STARTED (USUALLY LESS THAN 10 MINUTES). THE ENGINE SUFFERS LOSS OF POWER AND VEHICLE BECOMES UNDRIVABLE. MERCEDES MECHANIC STATES THE ENGINE HARNESS BODY MOUNTED (PART NO 1405404805) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRING IN THE HARNESS HAS APPARENTLY DEGRATED TO THE POINT WHERE SHORTING IS OCCURRING IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT(S).MERCEDES WANTS $3600 FOR THE PART ANT $650 FOR LABOR. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE REPLACED… Look up ODI 10232347 at NHTSA ↗	337.5% ODI 10243123 · 110,000 mi I BOUGHT A CAR ON EBAY, THE OWNER DECLARED THE CAR WAS FINE AND I PROCEEDED WITH THE SALE. I DROVE UP TO PA. TO PICK THE CAR UP AND THE GENTLEMAN SAID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS SOON AS HE STARTED IT THAT MORNING. WE THEN WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A O2 SENSOR, AND QUOTED ME $200,00 INSTALLED. I DECLINED AND BROUGHT THE CAR HOME TO HAVE MY OWN PEOPLE WORK ON THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY TOLD ME THE WIRING HARNESS WAS SHOT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. $2,000.00. I TOLD THE SELLER AND HE SAID TOO BAD FOR YO… Look up ODI 10243123 at NHTSA ↗	342.9% ODI 10109530 THE ASR LIGHT WAS ON . VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER WHILE BEING OPERATED ON THE FREEWAY. BF THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND SHORTED OR DAMAGED OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONETS. JB Look up ODI 10109530 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10040317 WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SUDDENLY DISENGAGE AND WAS INTERMITTENT, THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT DURING BAD WEATHER, THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME, THE ABC WARNING HAD COME ON, THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, THE BRAKE-LINING HAD GONE THIN, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THE TANK WAS FILLED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD GONE OUT (AGAIN), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR WASH WHEN WATER GUSHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH THE W… Look up ODI 10040317 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	562.5% ODI 10159751 INTENSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DETERIORATING WIRING HARNESS IN MY 1992 600 SEL MERCEDES. THE WIRES ARE CRACKED IN NUMEROUS PLACES RESULTING IN INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTIONING OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS. *JB Look up ODI 10159751 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10152808 · 79,452 mi 1993 MERCEDES BENZ 600 SL - ENGINE MAIN WIRING HARNESS HAS DISINTEGRATED. THIS CAR HAS UNDER 80,000 MILES ON IT. *JB Look up ODI 10152808 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 10188056 · 56,000 mi I PURCHASED A 1994 SL600 ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHICH HAD ONLY 56,000 MI ON IT. IT WAS SOLD TO ME AS A LIKE NEW AUTO. WELL, IT IS FAR FROM LIKE NEW BUT THE PROBLEM I WILL MENTION TO YOU IS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH HAS VIRTUALLY DISINTEGRATED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXORBITANT PRICE. THE DISINTEGRATING WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUSED ME ENORMOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR,NOT TO MENTION THE LIKELIHOOD OF BEING A FIRE HAZARD. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES 91-96 MODELS AND I WANT TO ADD MY NAME TO THE LISTS OF COMPLAINTS. *JB… Look up ODI 10188056 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗	228.6% ODI 10051193 · 102,000 mi THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MERCEDES V12 ENGINE WHICH CASES THE CYLINDERS TO OVERHEAT AND BECOME SCRACHED, USUALLY AROUND 100,000 WITH NO WARNING OR OVERHEATING INDICATIONS. MERCEDES KNOWS THE ENGINE IS BAD BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOLEDGE AND/OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK Look up ODI 10051193 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10294096 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:45AM ON JULY 4, 2009 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR MARSHALL, ARKANSAS I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION (IN THE INSURED VEHICLE A 2001 S600 MERCEDES-BENZ) WITH A COW THAT RAN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND STATE FARM. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR STATE FARM APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA, STEVE'S BODY SHOP, WHICH IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES REPAIR FACILITY. DUE TO STATE FARM'S REQUIREMENT THAT I LEAVE THE CAR AT STEVE'S BODY SHOP, A NON-MERCE… Look up ODI 10294096 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	112.5% ODI 10153736 · 100,000 mi RECENTLY I FOUND OUT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1991 600 SE IS DETERIORATING, ON SOME PLACES YOU CAN ALREADY SEE THE BARE WIRES. THIS CAR IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF OTHER REPAIRS, AND BEFORE WE CAN DO ANYTHING ELSE WE MUST REPLACE EVERY SINGLE HARNESS IN THE ENGINE BAY. WE ARE NOT A VERY RICH FAMILY AND CAN NOT AFFORD THAT. I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR ALMOST EVERY DAY AND AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF IT. WHY DOESN'T MERCEDES DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? THAT IS BEYOND ME. *JB Look up ODI 10153736 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10179001 VEHICLE HAS HAD VARIOUS ANOMALIES OCCURRING OVER SEVERAL MONTHS INVOLVING ENGINE SPUTTERING AND ABUNDANT SMOKE FROM ENGINE. NUMEROUS SERVICE ATTEMPTS DID NOT RESOLVE PROBLEM AS ALL CLUES WERE INTERMITTENT. WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH FOR "CHECK ENGINE" "SRS" "ASR" AND OTHERS WOULD APPEAR CERTAIN TIMES UPON IGNITION, WHILE OTHERS APPEAR NEXT TIME. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START BUT NOT MAINTAIN IDLE INDEPENDENT OF APPLYING ACCELERATOR, AND THEN ONLY TRAVEL AT A MAX SPEED OF 20 MPH AT 3000 RPM. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DETERIORATED ENGINE H… Look up ODI 10179001 at NHTSA ↗	114.3% ODI 10197154 · 29,000 mi I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1995 MERCEDES SL 600 TO A FACTORY AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND GOING OFF. AFTER DOING A COMPUTERIZED ANALYSIS, THEY TOLD ME MY MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WERE BAD. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH AT A COST OF OVER $1200. WHEN THEY RECHECKED THE COMPUTER, IT THREW MANY CODES AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK , THEY FOUND OUT THAT MY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS SO BADLY BURNT THAT THE WIRES WERE TOUCHING, THROWING OFF THE COMPUTER, MY TIMING, YOU NAME IT. I SAW FOR MYSELF HOW BADLY THE WIRES HAD BEEN BURNED , DUE TO … Look up ODI 10197154 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	233.3% ODI 10482633 · 122,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 1993 MERCEDES TO A GAS STATION IN MY TOWN BEFORE A PLANNED TRIP OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES OF OPEN HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. I SLOWED DOWN AND TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET. SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE TRANSMISSION HUMP SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RAN TO FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHILE CALLING 911. POLICE ARRIVED AND KEPT ME AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSED IT ALL DOWN THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND I WAS VERY SHA… Look up ODI 10482633 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 8021082 CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE ENGINE FAIL AND LOST POWER AND IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS Look up ODI 8021082 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	225.0% ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 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.
Air Bags	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.	150.0% ODI 540082 FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHILE STANDING STILL IN PARK LOT RESULTING IN DRIVER BEING KNOCKED OUT AND TAKEN TO HOSPITAL. Look up ODI 540082 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	83,915–113,750 mi	95,500 mi	10	ODI 10419382 · 86,661 mi THE BODY AND ENGINE HARNESS HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE CONTAINING MANY BARED WIRES BECAUSE THE WIRE COVERING IS DEFECTIVE. MY MERCEDES 600S SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND BECAUSE OF THIS I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I FOUND OUT LATER AT A MECHANICAL SHOP THAT THE ENGINE WENT INTO SOMETHING CALLED "LIMPMODE" AND THIS CAUSED THE SUDDEN DECELERATION. I WAS FURTHER ADVISED THAT THIS ACTION WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT IN ONE OF THE BARED WIRES OF THE ENGINE BODY HARNESS. UPON OBSERVATION THE WHOLE BODY WIRE HARNESS OF MANY WIRES EXHI… Look up ODI 10419382 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10232347 · 115,000 mi VEHICLE IS A 1993 MERCEDES BENZ 600SEL. THE ASR (ACCELERATION SLIP CONTROL) WARNING LIGHT APPEARS AFTER THE ENGINE HAS STARTED (USUALLY LESS THAN 10 MINUTES). THE ENGINE SUFFERS LOSS OF POWER AND VEHICLE BECOMES UNDRIVABLE. MERCEDES MECHANIC STATES THE ENGINE HARNESS BODY MOUNTED (PART NO 1405404805) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRING IN THE HARNESS HAS APPARENTLY DEGRATED TO THE POINT WHERE SHORTING IS OCCURRING IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT(S).MERCEDES WANTS $3600 FOR THE PART ANT $650 FOR LABOR. THIS IS A PART THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE REPLACED… Look up ODI 10232347 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10342052 · 36,000 mi MERCEDES BENZ DEALER SAYS THAT MY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO INSULATION CRACKING ON THE WIRES. THEY STATE THAT ENGINE DAMAGE AND FIRE COULD RESULT FROM THIS DEFECT. IN ADDITION A WARNING LIGHT IS ON WHICH OF COURSE RENDERS THE CAR UNSALEABLE. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT THIS IS SYMPTOMMATIC IN ALL THE AGE CARS FROM MB. I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT MAY CATCH FIRE AND CANNOT BE SOLD! *TR Look up ODI 10342052 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring	56,000–82,500 mi	79,452 mi	5	ODI 10201857 · 84,580 mi THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS ON MY '92 600 SEL FAILED BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OF WIRING THAT WAS NOT ADEQUATELY TESTED. THE WIRING FAILED IN 2007 DUE TO THE WIRING BE DESIGNED TO BE BIODEGRADABLE. REPAIR COST WAS $7000 !!!!!! JB. UPDATED 01/11/08. LJ THE WIRING HARNESS BRITTLE AND CRACKED. UPDATED JB Look up ODI 10201857 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10204474 · 54,000 mi MERCEDES BENZ WIRING FAILURE. JB Look up ODI 10204474 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10152808 · 79,452 mi 1993 MERCEDES BENZ 600 SL - ENGINE MAIN WIRING HARNESS HAS DISINTEGRATED. THIS CAR HAS UNDER 80,000 MILES ON IT. *JB Look up ODI 10152808 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	90,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10051193 · 102,000 mi THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MERCEDES V12 ENGINE WHICH CASES THE CYLINDERS TO OVERHEAT AND BECOME SCRACHED, USUALLY AROUND 100,000 WITH NO WARNING OR OVERHEATING INDICATIONS. MERCEDES KNOWS THE ENGINE IS BAD BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOLEDGE AND/OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. AK Look up ODI 10051193 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10230111 · 87,546 mi BOTH THROTTLE BODY ACTUATORS HAVE SUFFERED CRUMBLING OF THE WIRE INSULATIONS, LEADING TO A PORTION OF THE CAR TO BE HEATED UP SO MUCH THAT THE HOOD PAD CAUGHT FIRE. LUCKILY I ALWAYS CARRY AN EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT BEFORE ANY INJURIES OR ANY MORE INCIDENTS HAPPENED. TR Look up ODI 10230111 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Too few reports for a range	64,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10153736 · 100,000 mi RECENTLY I FOUND OUT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1991 600 SE IS DETERIORATING, ON SOME PLACES YOU CAN ALREADY SEE THE BARE WIRES. THIS CAR IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF OTHER REPAIRS, AND BEFORE WE CAN DO ANYTHING ELSE WE MUST REPLACE EVERY SINGLE HARNESS IN THE ENGINE BAY. WE ARE NOT A VERY RICH FAMILY AND CAN NOT AFFORD THAT. I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR ALMOST EVERY DAY AND AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF IT. WHY DOESN'T MERCEDES DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? THAT IS BEYOND ME. *JB Look up ODI 10153736 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10197154 · 29,000 mi I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1995 MERCEDES SL 600 TO A FACTORY AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND GOING OFF. AFTER DOING A COMPUTERIZED ANALYSIS, THEY TOLD ME MY MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS WERE BAD. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH AT A COST OF OVER $1200. WHEN THEY RECHECKED THE COMPUTER, IT THREW MANY CODES AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK , THEY FOUND OUT THAT MY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS SO BADLY BURNT THAT THE WIRES WERE TOUCHING, THROWING OFF THE COMPUTER, MY TIMING, YOU NAME IT. I SAW FOR MYSELF HOW BADLY THE WIRES HAD BEEN BURNED , DUE TO … Look up ODI 10197154 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	85,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10482633 · 122,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 1993 MERCEDES TO A GAS STATION IN MY TOWN BEFORE A PLANNED TRIP OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES OF OPEN HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. I SLOWED DOWN AND TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET. SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE TRANSMISSION HUMP SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RAN TO FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHILE CALLING 911. POLICE ARRIVED AND KEPT ME AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSED IT ALL DOWN THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND I WAS VERY SHA… Look up ODI 10482633 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	49,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	69,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 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
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
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 (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

1997: 1 complaints · 2001: 3 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1997	1	1	1
2001	0	1	3

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1997	2	0	0
2001	7	1	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	Electrical System:Wiring	Engine And Engine Cooling	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Power Train	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Fuel System, Gasoline	Air Bags
Electrical System	—	0	1 ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10482633 · 122,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 1993 MERCEDES TO A GAS STATION IN MY TOWN BEFORE A PLANNED TRIP OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES OF OPEN HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. I SLOWED DOWN AND TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET. SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE TRANSMISSION HUMP SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RAN TO FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHILE CALLING 911. POLICE ARRIVED AND KEPT ME AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSED IT ALL DOWN THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND I WAS VERY SHA… Look up ODI 10482633 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗	0
Electrical System:Wiring	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	1 ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Power Train	1 ODI 10482633 · 122,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 1993 MERCEDES TO A GAS STATION IN MY TOWN BEFORE A PLANNED TRIP OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES OF OPEN HIGHWAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. I SLOWED DOWN AND TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET. SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE TRANSMISSION HUMP SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RAN TO FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHILE CALLING 911. POLICE ARRIVED AND KEPT ME AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSED IT ALL DOWN THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND I WAS VERY SHA… Look up ODI 10482633 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	1 ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI… Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10308743 · 49,000 mi THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS A… Look up ODI 10308743 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	0	0	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

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

7 mentions · 17.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 110,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10232347 · 115,000 mi

Look up ODI 10232347 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10243123 · 110,000 mi

Look up ODI 10243123 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10414468 · 90,000 mi

THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDI…

Look up ODI 10414468 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

6 mentions · 15.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 73,000 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 984965

PARK PLACE MOTOR CARS IN DALLAS TX WORKED ON VEHICLE FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAD FLAMES COMING FROM EXHAUST. *AK

Look up ODI 984965 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10232347 · 115,000 mi

Look up ODI 10232347 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10342052 · 36,000 mi

MERCEDES BENZ DEALER SAYS THAT MY ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO INSULATION CRACKING ON THE WIRES. THEY STATE THAT ENGINE DAMAGE AND FIRE COULD RESULT FROM THIS DEFECT. IN ADDITION A WARNING LIGHT IS ON WHICH OF COURSE RENDERS THE CAR UNSALEABLE. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT THIS IS SYMPTOMMATIC IN ALL THE AGE CARS FROM MB. I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT MAY CATCH FIRE AND CANNOT BE SOLD! *TR

Look up ODI 10342052 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 83,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10398393 · 83,000 mi

Look up ODI 10398393 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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