RoadVitals

1993 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.
39
Latest Apr 10, 2013
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 Sep 19, 1996
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.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Electrical2450.0%
  • Engine714.6%
  • Steering36.3%
  • Fuel system36.3%
  • Airbags24.2%
  • Driver assistance24.2%
  • Seat belts24.2%
  • Brakes12.1%

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
96V175000

VISIBILITY

Sep 19, 1996
28,874 units potentially affected
The defect: IF ONE OF THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARMS BECOMES MISALIGNED, THE WIPER BALDE CAN LODGE IN THE GROOVE UNDER THE HEADLAMP. IF THE WASHERS ARE ACTIVATED WITH THE WIPER BLADE IN THE MISALIGNED AND LODGED POSITION, THE WASHER PUMP WILL RUN CONTINUOUSLY EXPELLING ALL AVAILABLE FLUID.
The risk: PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 39
Electrical
Filed Apr 10, 2013

THE ENGINE HARNESS PROBLEM AFTER OWNING MY CAR SINCE 1993. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS WAS MADE WITH BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL WHICH HAS NOW LOST IT'S PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE METAL WIRES. WITH WIRES EXPOSED AFTER THE ENGINE HARNESS DEGRATION, THE CAR WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST ME FOR A LONG TIME, HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. WITHOUT THE PROPER HARNESS REPLACEMENT, THE CAR IS TOTALLY USELESS. UPON CHECKING INTO THIS PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT EVERY E300 BUILT BETWEEN 1992 AND 1997 IS BUILT WITH THE SAME HARNESS. ALL THESE CARS THAT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I AM TOLD THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD, THEREFORE I HAVE STOPPED USING MY CAR. THIS PROBLEM SOONER OR LATER WILL HURT SOMEONE UNTIL MERCEDES RECALLS AND REPLACES THE HARNESS FOR THE CARS THAT THEY HAVE ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505881
Incident
Apr 5, 2013
Mileage
71,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 28, 2011

MY WIRING HARNESS HAS FAILED ON MY 1993 300E MERCEDES BENZ THE INSULATION COME OFF WIRING. *KB

NHTSA ID
10437495
Incident
Jun 11, 2007
Electrical
Filed Aug 6, 2011

MY RESEARCH INDICATE THAT THIS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MANY MERCEDES BENZ, 300 E, AND 300SE CARS WITH THE TWIN CAM ENGINES MADE BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 1993-1995. NOT ONLY I AM UNABLE TO HAVE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DONE, BUT I AM TOLD BY THE REPAIR FACILITY THAT THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY PROBLEM, BECAUSE THERE IS A RISK OF FIRE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DEFECT. *TT

NHTSA ID
10417754
Incident
Jul 17, 2011
Mileage
37,854 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 27, 2011

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF MY VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACT ERRATICALLY. AT START, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT NORMALLY IDLE; INSTEAD IT LURCHED BETWEEN 500-1500 RPM. DURING OPERATION, AT A RANDOM POINTS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING THE GAS, INSTEAD SURGING POWER UNTIL I STOP AND IDLE FOR A MINUTE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH IS DISINTEGRATING. THIS WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE USE OF INFERIOR MATERIALS BY MERCEDES-BENZ WHICH ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR USE IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENTS. RECENTLY, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE; TODAY, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACHIEVE ANY GOOD ACCELERATION NOR IS IT VERY RESPONSIVE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE IS SERIOUSLY IMPAIRED AT THIS TIME. SO FAR, THIS PROBLEM HAS NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF A BATTERY. I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WILL BE UPWARDS OF $2,000 DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT HARNESS, A PART WHICH IS NORMALLY DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THE ENTIRE LIFESPAN OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10398067
Incident
Apr 1, 2011
Mileage
127,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 12, 2008
Fire reported

1. BURNING SMELL 2. POOR RUNNING FAST IDLE TO NO IDLE 3. BM NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10248616
Incident
Nov 11, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 2, 2008

THE ENGINE / FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS OF MY 1993 MERCEDES-BENZ 300E HAS CRACKED INSULATION THROUGHOUT AND IS BEGINNING TO SHORT OUT WITH THE RISK OF CAUSING DANGEROUS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND EVEN FIRE INSIDE MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF OTHER MERCEDES-BENZ CARS OF THE SAME AGE RANGE HAVING THE EXACT SAME DEFECT. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO MY MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THE HESITATION AND SHORTING THAT OCCURS - ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE THE AC OR HEATER RUNNING AND HAVE SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON TRYING TO REMEDY IT BY ATTEMPTING TO RE-WRAP THE WIRING BUT IT ONLY AFFORDED ME A TEMPORARY FIX AT BEST. THE ESTIMATE I WAS GIVEN TODAY WAS FOR $1,400 FOR THE WIRING HARNESS AND ANOTHER $700 - $800 FOR THE LABOR COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT'S INSTALL. FROM THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR ANECDOTAL STORIES I HAVE READ ONLINE WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I WONDER WHY MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229661
Incident
Jun 2, 2008
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 15, 2008

VEHICLE IS 1993 MERCEDES 300E SEDAN. 1. STRANGE THINGS GO ON WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2. WHEN UNLOCKING KEY, SOMETIMES THE ALARM WILL GO ON. 3. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER REPAIR WAS DONE. 4. SOMETIMES AIR BLOWER WILL WORK, SOMETIMES NOT. 5. SOMETIMES ANTENNA WILL COME UP, SOMETIMES NOT. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MIGHT BE AFFECTING THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE. I WOULD HATE TO STRIP THE HARNESS TO FIND OUT. BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS NOW ON THIS WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM. I WISH THAT MERCEDES WILL DO A RECALL AND REPAIR THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227953
Incident
Mar 17, 2006
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 8, 2008

1993 300E 3.2 M104 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DISINTERGRATING, WIRE INSULATION FALLS APART ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WIRES EVEN NOT EXPOSED TO HEAT DAMAGED. CHRONIC PROBLEM ALL 3 OF OUR MERCEDES HAVE THIS PROBLEM THE 300E THE WORST. I WORKED AT MERCEDES AND REPLACED THESE HARNESS EVERY WEEK. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE CAN RESULT IN FIRES, ECM FAILURE, DRIVABLE ISSUES, NO START, AND MANY MORE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227117
Incident
Apr 28, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MBNA82/81

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

BONDING HEADLAMP LENS TO HOUSING. *TW

00340

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

MODIFIED STEERING LOCK. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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—
1993Viewing391043.6
1992221044.8
1991192054.0
1990540—
1989510—
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.