RoadVitals

1988 Mercedes-Benz 300

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.
7
Latest Jan 30, 2001
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.
1
Latest May 27, 1993
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.
1
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

  • Engine333.3%
  • Airbags222.2%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Driver assistance111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Visibility111.1%

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

1 campaign 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
93V095000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

May 27, 1993
128,000 units potentially affected
The defect: DUE TO HEAT EFFECTS, THE THROTTLE BUSHING LOCATED ON THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK, CAUSING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE TO SEPARATE.
The risk: IF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE SEPARATES, THE ENGINE WILL RETURNTO IDLE SPEED, AND REMAIN AT IDLE, WITH NO ACCELERATION ABILITY. LOSS OF ENGINESPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE THROTTLE BUSHING WITH A NEW BUSHING MADE FROM MORE HEAT-RESISTANT MATERIALS.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP93002ClosedDefect Petition

ACCEL LINKAGE DISCONNECTION

Opened May 6, 1993
Closed Jun 11, 1993

ACCEL LINKAGE DISCONNECTION

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistance
Filed Jan 30, 2001

VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
879380
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Airbags
Filed Jul 21, 1998
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5-10 MPH THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION. THE AIR BAG HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
825700
Incident
Jul 15, 1998
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 19, 1996

COMPUTER FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ID
508817
Incident
Jan 1, 1996
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 1995

PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING BROKE, CAUSED LOSS OF COOLANT WHICH DAMAGED THE ENGINE. TT

NHTSA ID
973438
Incident
Sep 19, 1995
AirbagsEngine
Filed Jul 10, 1995

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS FLASHING OFF/ON, REPLACED AIR BAG, STILL HAPPENS ON LONG TRIPS. *DSH

NHTSA ID
484036
Incident
Jun 1, 1990
Visibility
Filed Apr 14, 1995
1 injury reported

SPRING ON DAY/NIGHT MECHANISM ON REAR-VIEW MIRROR CRACKED AND PLASTIC BOTTOM FLEW INTO DRIVER'S LAP, CAUSING INJURY. *SKD

NHTSA ID
489239
Incident
Jan 1, 1995
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 1995

ENGINE OVERHAUL IN THE FIRST YEAR. TT

NHTSA ID
962655

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz 300 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002300—
1999600—
1998200—
1997500—
1996800—
1995160037.0
1994400—
1993391043.6
1992221044.8
1991192054.0
1990540—
1989510—
1988Viewing711—
1987291261.3
1986130357.9
1985502—
1984401—
1983600—
1982100—
1980200—
1978100—
1972010—
1971030—

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.