RoadVitals

1994 Mercedes-Benz 124

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Aug 20, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Mercedes-Benz 124, most frequently naming the electrical and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Fuel system150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
95V031000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Feb 21, 1995
50,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT PASSENGER METAL FOOT REST CAN, OVER TIME, ABRADE THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FOOT REST CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE THE WIRES TO OVERHEAT, STALL THE ENGINE, OR INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY AN AIRBAG, ANY OF THESE INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL WIRING HARNESS CABLE FASTENER TIES AND EDGE PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR SHARP EDGES OF THE METAL FOOT REST.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Aug 20, 2012

THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE ENGINE RETARTED BUT WITH A DISTINCT ROUGH IDLE. INCREASING THE GAS PEDAL PRESSURE WAS RESPONDED BY THE ENGINE WITH INCREASED BUT FLUCTUATING RPMS. I COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE A DAY OR MORE LATER IT RAN NORMAL. HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENTLY I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MERCEDES DEALER IN TAMPA AND THEY BROUGHT IN A RETIRED MECHANIC WHO CONNECTED A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER TO THE VEHICLE. HE SHOWED ME IN THE SHOP THE SIGNAL FLUCTUATIONS, IN WHAT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, OF THE FUEL MIXTURE SYSTEM. I INQUIRED ABOUT A REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR IT COULD NOT BE DONE BY MERCEDES ANYMORE. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT IN THE PAST, THERE WERE INDEPENDENT SHOPS THAT WOULD DO REPAIRS OF THE AFFECTED ITEMS BUT HE COULD NOT GIVE ME A NAME OR CONTACT. THE VEHICLE IS STILL OPERATIONAL, SHOWS OCCASIONAL RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. I KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE AS ORIGINALLY INTENDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10471522
Incident
Sep 15, 2011
Mileage
65,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 30, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10143995
Incident
Dec 20, 2004
Mileage
100,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz 124 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001100—
1995620—
1994Viewing220—
1993030—
1992130—
1991010—
1990010—
1989010—
1988010—
1987010—
1986010—
1985010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.