RoadVitals

1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE

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 29, 2006
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.
0
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE, most frequently naming the electrical, body & structure and engine categories.

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

  • Electrical450.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%
  • Transmission112.5%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed May 29, 2006

I HAVE PROBLEM WITH DISINTEGRATING WIRING CAUSING MY CAR TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ASR WAS LET ALONE FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 1 AND A-HALF WEEKS. PLEASE INFORM ME AS TO WHAT TO DO AS I FEEL I AM DRIVING A DANGEROUS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10158480
Incident
May 15, 2006
Mileage
272,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 12, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AND A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK . AFTER HAVING A THIRD SET OF MOTOR MOUNTS INSTALLED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A HEAT SHIELD WAS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE MOTOR MOUNT FROM THE EXHAUST HEAT. BUT MERCEDES NEVER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER ABOUT THE NEED FOR A HEAT SHIELD AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T COME WITH A HEAT SHIELD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *CB *JB

NHTSA ID
10038059
Incident
Jul 14, 2003
Mileage
61,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Sep 29, 2003
Fire reported

UNDER-HOOD FIRE TOTALED CAR. FIRE DEPT. REQUIRED TO EXTINGUISHED FIRE. FIRE STARTED WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. CAUSE UNDETERMINED.

NHTSA ID
10040933
Incident
Jun 3, 2002
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 17, 2003
Fire reported

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR INDICATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10011882
Incident
May 17, 2002
Electrical
Filed May 2, 2002

THE WIRES ARE EXPOSED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AND THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE WIRES CAN CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB CONSUMER ADDS THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD TOTALLY DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT BARE WIRES WERE EXPOSED BECAUSE THE INSULATION HAD CRACKED AND FELL OFF THE WIRE HAVING AN POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN FIRE. *TT

NHTSA ID
8009073