Mercedes-Benz 300 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 202 owner complaints across 23 model years of the Mercedes-Benz 300 (1971–2002). The most-complained-about year is 1993.

Pick your Mercedes-Benz 300 model year

• 1971
• 1972
• 1978
• 1980
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2002

What Mercedes-Benz 300 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 202 complaints with NHTSA. The 1993 model year has the most, with 39.

• Engine and engine cooling: engine19
• Air bags: frontal18
• Electrical system17
• Electrical system: front underhood14
• Engine and engine cooling: gasoline12
• Power train: automatic transmission10
• Vehicle speed control10
• Electrical system: wiring10

All Mercedes-Benz 300 recalls (8)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Mercedes-Benz 300, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Visibility

   NHTSA 96V175000 Reported September 19, 1996 28,874 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

   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.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the headlamp washer pump on these vehicles.

   Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993

2. Vehicle speed control

   NHTSA 93V095000 Reported May 27, 1993 128,000 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

   Due to heat effects, the throttle bushing located on the accelerator control cable, can fatigue and break, causing the throttle linkage to separate.

   Remedy: Replace the throttle bushing with a new bushing made from more heat-resistant materials.

   Model years: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

3. Tires: sidewall

   NHTSA 90V062000 Reported May 1, 1990 278 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

   Left front and left rear tires may have been damaged by a worn chain drive of the conveyor system.

   Remedy: Replace damaged tires with tires of the same brand name.

   Model years: 1990

4. Air conditioner (equipment)

   NHTSA 90V068000 Reported May 1, 1990 1,584 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

   Under certain operating conditions, the plastic cover of the preresistor for the auxiliary fan may melt, possibly igniting the preresistor.

   Remedy: Replace the preresistor with version having a metal cover.

   Model years: 1990

5. Foundation components (service brakes)

   NHTSA 90V033000 Reported January 26, 1990 594 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

   Bolts used for the brake strut support do not meet specifications and may break.

   Remedy: Replace hex nut bolts with bolts that meet specifications.

   Model years: 1990

6. Injectors (fuel system)

   NHTSA 74V131000 Reported August 19, 1974 8,963 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

   Model years: 1971, 1972

7. Delivery (fuel system)

   NHTSA 71V168000 Reported September 27, 1971 2,281 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

   Model years: 1971

8. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

   NHTSA 71V073000 Reported April 30, 1971 16,107 vehicles potentially affected MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

   Model years: 1971

Other Mercedes-Benz models

• C3003,469 complaints
• E3502,170 complaints
• E3201,164 complaints
• ML350952 complaints
• GLK350904 complaints
• ML320742 complaints
• C250726 complaints
• C230657 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.