1995 Mercedes-Benz E Class Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Mercedes-Benz E Class, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1555.6%
- Engine622.2%
- Interior & seats27.4%
- Fuel system13.7%
- Other / unspecified13.7%
- Steering13.7%
- Suspension13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING HARNESS HAS SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED BY OTHER OWNERS-STARTED WITH WIRING TO MAS MELTING. I REWIRED THAT-DROVE CAR ANOTHER YEAR WITH SMALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BLOWING FUSES WITHOUT FINDING CAUSE-DROVE CAR TO WORK ONE DAY,RAN FINE,CAME OUT TO GO HOME AND IT HAD A MISS. REMOVED COVER OVER INJECTORS AND FOUND ALL THE WIRING WAS BARE.THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MBS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. *TR
I HAVE MULTIPLE WIRING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. FAULTY TACHOMETER GOES ON AND OFF BY IT SELF. FAULTY AC WIRES ISOLATION IS DESTROYED, FAULTY GLOW PLUG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF BY IT SELF. THIS CAR HAS WIRING PROBLEMS LIKE MANY OTHER W124. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING HARNESS HAS SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED BY OTHER OWNERS-STARTED WITH WIRING TO MAS MELTING. I REWIRED THAT-DROVE CAR ANOTHER YEAR WITH SMALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BLOWING FUSES WITHOUT FINDING CAUSE-DROVE CAR TO WORK ONE DAY,RAN FINE,CAME OUT TO GO HOME AND IT HAD A MISS. REMOVED COVER OVER INJECTORS AND FOUND ALL THE WIRING WAS BARE.THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MBS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E420. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY FOR A FEW WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT NEEDED A SPARK PLUG HARNESS, SPARK PLUGS, A DISTRIBUTION CAP, ROTORS AND A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT FRAME FAILURE. THE LEFT FRAME RAIL OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED CAUSING THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SEAT TO TILT TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND IMPACT THE DOOR AND B-PILLAR. THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS DRIVING POSITION. IF THIS HAPPENED DURING A COLLISION DRIVER WOULD'VE SUFFERED HEAD TRAUMA AND SPINAL CORD INJURY. *NM
MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 950223/ NHTSA RECALL 95V031000; DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS LOCKED IN ONE POSITION, SEAT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM ON THE REPORTED DATE THE VACUUM PUMP OPERATING THE RIGHT REAR HEADREST TO MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E300D SPECIAL EDITION GOT STUCK OR THE RELAY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE PUMP TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY, BUILDING UP FRICTION AND CAUSING A FIRE THAT COMPLETELY BURNT THE INSIDE REAR SECTION OF MY VEHICLE. CAR WAS PARKED AND IGNITION WAS OFF AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. FIRE WAS REPORTED TO THE SANDY SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INVESTIGATED BY THEIR FIRE INVESTIGATOR. INSURANCE ADJUSTER ATTRIBUTED CAUSE OF FIRE TO FAILED VACUUM PUMP. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS AND I ALLOWED MY INSURER TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MAIN AND AUXILIARY WIRING HARNESSES PLASTIC WIRE COATING IS CRUMBLING OFF LEAVING THE COPPER WIRES EXPOSED AND PRONE TO SHORTS..MY VEHICLE GAUGES FOR THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE, ABS, AIR BAGS, TRACTION, AND THE LESSER IMPORTANT GAUGES ARE WORKING ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. MERCEDES USA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY WIRING RELATED PROBLEMS (OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS) FOR THE E SERIES 124 TYPE BODY VEHICLES BUT IT HAS AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF NEW AND IMPROVED HARNESSES THAT VARY IN PRICE FROM A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE THOUSANDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. ERRATIC STEERING. 2.SECOND OCCURRENCE. 3.BEING REPLACED & OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. ERRATIC STEERING. 2.SECOND OCCURRENCE. 3.BEING REPLACED & OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .