1986 Mercedes Benz 300E
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › 300E › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Mercedes Benz 300E. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
11 complaints1 involved a crash6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
Sudden acceleration syndrome. I believe I eliminated this problem by disconnecting the cruise control amp located under the dash board by unplugging cable attached to the unit. was able to replicate the problem by reconnecting the attached cable. believe cruise control systems design defective.…
Sudden acceleration syndrome. I believe I eliminated this problem by disconnecting the cruise control amp located under the dash board by unplugging cable attached to the unit. was able to replicate the problem by reconnecting the attached cable. believe cruise control systems design defective. at public library found some complaints regarding sudden acceleration syndrome pertaining too this vehicle- model- year. lucky mine IS a stick shift in that regard. daimler and nhtsa both were notified. daimler would charge for the diagnoses and repair. apparently there IS not enough complaints to warrant a recall. law IS complicated. I can live without the luxury of cruise control and exorbitant repair cost. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
I just experienced my 4TH fuel tank fracture over 5 years. The fractures occur in the surface of the tank not caused by wear of any sort. They just spontaneously occur. The tank IS completely factory installed in the trunk of the car this allows fumes to enter the entire car. This IS a very…
I just experienced my 4TH fuel tank fracture over 5 years. The fractures occur in the surface of the tank not caused by wear of any sort. They just spontaneously occur. The tank IS completely factory installed in the trunk of the car this allows fumes to enter the entire car. This IS a very dangerous condition. I have never experienced a fractured tank in any brand in 40 years of driving. This IS a serious matter. *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
I have experienced hairline crack failures in three (3) separate fuel tanks placed into my 1986 mercedes 300E 4 door sedan over 6 years. These cracks never allowed liquid to escape, but fumes did repeatedly emit into the car trunk and passenger cabin. After being in place for 9 months the 3RD tank…
I have experienced hairline crack failures in three (3) separate fuel tanks placed into my 1986 mercedes 300E 4 door sedan over 6 years. These cracks never allowed liquid to escape, but fumes did repeatedly emit into the car trunk and passenger cabin. After being in place for 9 months the 3RD tank IS now leaking fumes and I have discovered staining where the cracks exist. This IS, by itself, a very dangerous condition. To happen three times with three different replacement tanks IS exceptional! I would like to suggest that this indicates there might be others with the same problem indicating that their might be an original design defect in the tank, its location (it might be getting scraped by surrounding sheet metal), or its basic material constitution; ie, too thin or poorly engineered materials. *nm
- Tires
Blowout, with 4/32 tread left, of schwab Z800 ultra radial with 100,000 mile warranty, at approx 50,200 miles, occurred as driving at normal speed on freeway with no impact or prior damage to tire. 11/27/2004. tires purchased 6/29/99 as pair. rotated and kept properly inflated, wheels aligned.…
Blowout, with 4/32 tread left, of schwab Z800 ultra radial with 100,000 mile warranty, at approx 50,200 miles, occurred as driving at normal speed on freeway with no impact or prior damage to tire. 11/27/2004. tires purchased 6/29/99 as pair. rotated and kept properly inflated, wheels aligned. on 4/25/03 a schwab Z800 plus tire, with 47,000 miles(100,000 warranty), purchased 2/20/98, same conditions of treatment, blew out on same car under same circumstances, namely driving at normal speed on freeway. both tires left rear wheel at time of blowout. schwab refused to honor warranty on grounds lack of documentation tirest rotated every 5000 miles. no evident concern about safety issue.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving 55 mph driver's air bag deployed without a collision occurring, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Whiile reaching into vehicle for a pocket book the strap pulled shift lever into gear while vehicle was parked with no key in it, causing vehicle to slip into gear and roll down hill. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak
- Air bags
False deployment of air bag resulting in injuries (burns) to face and chest and damages to vehicle.
- Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting · Wheels
Right front wheel became separated at the ball joint and the tie rod broke off causing wheel to become loose. (Ohio state police report).
- Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
The power seats move back and forward on their own. The dealer has been notified. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving vehicle on highway without impact airbag had deployed almost causing an accident. *ak *jb
- Air bags › Frontal · Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner · Suspension › Front · Suspension › Rear
Right front seat back will not adjust.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Sudden acceleration
Summary of information from manufacturer:mercedes-benz of north america(mbna) reported an additional 4 cases of alleged sudden acceleration of thesubject vehicles in addition to those previously reported to nhtsa.allcases were investigated by mbna representatives, and no trends or notablesimilarities were found in the…
Summary of information from manufacturer:mercedes-benz of north america(mbna) reported an additional 4 cases of alleged sudden acceleration of thesubject vehicles in addition to those previously reported to nhtsa.allcases were investigated by mbna representatives, and no trends or notablesimilarities were found in the apparent causes of the alleged incidents.no geographic or vehicle mileage trends were noted among the incidentsreported. Mbna conducted tests to evaluate the effects of open throttle, openengine idle bypass valve, and brake application under varying conditionsof vehicle motion on asphalt and grassy surfaces.the results of thesetests were provided to nhtsa, and indicate that the service brakes werefully effective in bringing the vehicle to a stop from 30 mph with a fullyopen throttle.in addition the tests demonstrated a maximum attainablevehicle speed of about 5 mph with a fully open idle speed air valve.analysis:mbna's evaluations of the eight vehicles reported to haveexperienced sudden acceleration included underhood inspections to identifyany apparent causes of the alleged incidents; mechanical interference ofcomponents was found in two vehicles, neither of which related to a designdeficiency.tests performed by mbna demonstrated the capacityof the subject vehicles to be controlled under conditions of high engineidle speed and with a fully open throttle.performance of the vehicle asdocumented by mbna's tests, together with the lack of a strong failuretrend suggests that further investigative effort IS not warranted on thisissue.proposed action:close this preliminary evaluation.===
Every Mercedes Benz 300E model year
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