1991 Mercedes Benz 129: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
68,855 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 |
Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
2012: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10483608 · 2012-11-07 (November 7, 2012)
PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED ON. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,855 miles reported. Look up ODI 10483608 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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 | 1991 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1997 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10433620 · 82,000 mi1993 MERCEDES BENZ SL600 WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. INSULATION ON WIRING BECAME BRITTLE AND TURNED TO DUST. SHORTS IN WIRING LEAD TO TROUBLE LIGHTS COMING ON. ENGINE MISFIRES AND SHUTS OFF. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR | 1100.0%ODI 10459356 · 39,000 miTHE WIRING HARNESS, OF WHICH THERE ARE THREE, WAS CONSTRUCTED OF AN INSULATION CASE THAT IS BY DESIGN BIODEGRADABLE. THIS WAS A MATERIAL SELECTION DEFECT AND IS CAUSING GREAT EXPENSE AND PAIN TO OWNERS OF THESE CARS. IT IS ALSO DRASTICALLY AFFECTING RESALE VALUE OF THE CARS. UNUSUAL FOR A CAR THAT COST OVER $100K NEW. THEREFORE, THE OUTER CASE OF THE THREE HARNESSES DISINTEGRATES OVER TIME, AND EXPOSES THE INDIVIDUAL WIRES TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE 12 CYLINER MOTOR - THIS CAUSES THE INSULATION AROUND THOSE INNER WIRES TO CRACK AND DISINTEGR… | 150.0%ODI 10465156 · 67,000 miASR LIGHT CAME ON, CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT ON A HILL, STOPPED , LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR HAD ALMOST NO POWER AND HAD A VERY HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE TESTER WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONTROL MODULE. I FINALLY FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THAT KNEW ABOUT THIS CAR HAVING A KNOWN PROBLEM. WHEN HE SHOWED ME THE WIRING IT HAD CRACKED BROKEN MISSING INSULATION ON THE ALL THE WIRES. HE SAID THAT SINCE THE WIR… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags | 1100.0%ODI 10483608 · 68,855 miPASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED ON. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. *TR | 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. |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 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 10150787 · 92,540 miCHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD,IDLE ROUGH,STALLING OF CAR. I CHECKED THE ENGINE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE AIR MASS METER AND GENTLY MOVED THE WIRES. THE OUTSIDE INSULATION BEGAN TO SMOKE, THEN MELTED FROM THE HEAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE CAR'S ENGINE AND CHECKED THE DAMAGE. THE INSULATION COVERING THE 4 WIRES INSIDE OF THE HARNESS HAD TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED, THUS CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE HARNESS. THE HEAT GENERATED ACTUALLY MELTED THE OUTSIDE COVERING OF THE WIRES BOTH AT THE AIR MASS METER CONNECTOR AND UNDERNEATH THE MAIN ENGINE CO… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 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 10465156 · 67,000 miASR LIGHT CAME ON, CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT ON A HILL, STOPPED , LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR HAD ALMOST NO POWER AND HAD A VERY HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE TESTER WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONTROL MODULE. I FINALLY FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THAT KNEW ABOUT THIS CAR HAVING A KNOWN PROBLEM. WHEN HE SHOWED ME THE WIRING IT HAD CRACKED BROKEN MISSING INSULATION ON THE ALL THE WIRES. HE SAID THAT SINCE THE WIR… | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10282983MY 1999 MERCESDES BENZ ENGINE STALLED WHILE I AM DRIVING. IF I WAIT FOR A WHILE , THE ENGINE WOULD START AGAIN. AFTER READING SOME COMPLAINTS IN THE MBWORLD.ORG FORUM, I THINK THAT MY CAR HAS PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS). THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AS MY CAR ENGINE CAN BE STALLED WHILE I AM DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON FREEWAY. DO YOU KNOW IF THIS PROBLEM HA BEEN CONSIDERED TO BE RECALLED? THANKS. *TR |
| Fuel/Propulsion 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. | 150.0%ODI 10465156 · 67,000 miASR LIGHT CAME ON, CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT ON A HILL, STOPPED , LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR HAD ALMOST NO POWER AND HAD A VERY HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE TESTER WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONTROL MODULE. I FINALLY FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THAT KNEW ABOUT THIS CAR HAVING A KNOWN PROBLEM. WHEN HE SHOWED ME THE WIRING IT HAD CRACKED BROKEN MISSING INSULATION ON THE ALL THE WIRES. HE SAID THAT SINCE THE WIR… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility | 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. | 1100.0%ODI 10256981 · 43,134 miTHE INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR HAS INADEQUATELY SIZED SPRING CLIP POSTS RESULTING IN EASY BREAKAGE, WITH LEAVES THE MIRROR VERY LOOSE, DISTRACTING AND UNUSABLE IN DAILY DRIVING. THE SNAP-ON MIRROR GLASS SURROUND TRIM WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED SPRING CLIP POSTS IS MARKED WITH P/N [phone removed], AND WOULD HAVE A LIKELY PRICE OF AROUND $15, HOWEVER MERCEDES BENZ ONLY SUPPLIES THE MIRROR ASSY @ $942. TWO M/B DEALERS AND AN INDEPENDENT M/B GARAGE SAYS THIS MIRROR IS USED ON MANY OF THEIR PRODUCTS, AND THE CLIP BREAKAGE IS VERY COMMON. THEY ALSO INDICATE… | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | Too few reports for a range | 68,855 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10483608 · 68,855 miPASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED ON. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. *TR |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
1997: 0 complaints · 1999: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 | 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 | Air Bags |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.