RoadVitals

1989 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.
5
Latest May 15, 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.
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.
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300, most frequently naming the driver assistance, airbags and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Driver assistance228.6%
  • Airbags114.3%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Seat belts114.3%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistance
Filed May 15, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE SPEED AND REMAINED IDLE WITH THE RPM'S INCREASING. THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 93V095000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE HIS VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10458536
Incident
Dec 15, 2011
Mileage
170,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 27, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
749289
Brakes
Filed Jan 29, 1996

IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS THE ABS IS NOT WORKING LOCKS UP LIKE NORMAL BRAKES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
978344
Incident
Jul 1, 1995
AirbagsEngineSeat belts
Filed Oct 23, 1995

DRIVER'S AIRBAG LIGHT LUMINATED. *SD

NHTSA ID
487278
Incident
Aug 5, 1993
Fuel system
Filed Mar 8, 1995
Fire reported

ALUMINUM FUEL TANK COMPONENT FAILED UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS, EXPENDING GASOLINE TO ADDITIONALLY FUEL THE FIRE. *AW

NHTSA ID
481313
Incident
Mar 8, 1995

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—
1989Viewing510—
1988711—
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.