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1987 Mercedes Benz 300

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 29 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

29 reports
303,000 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (IT'S A TEN MILE DRIVE ONE WAY) WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO GO FASTER AND FASTER UNTIL IT REACHED ABOUT 110 MPH. I COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP. I FORCED IT TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO EXIT THE FREEWAY, LEAVING SKID MARKS IN THE ROAD, AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I WAITED FOR A FRIEND TO COME AND SEE IF THEY …

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (IT'S A TEN MILE DRIVE ONE WAY) WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO GO FASTER AND FASTER UNTIL IT REACHED ABOUT 110 MPH. I COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP. I FORCED IT TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO EXIT THE FREEWAY, LEAVING SKID MARKS IN THE ROAD, AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I WAITED FOR A FRIEND TO COME AND SEE IF THEY COULD HELP. WHEN THEY GOT THERE THEY HAD ME TURN THE CAR ON IN PARK. THE ENGINE STARTED TO REVVED REALLY FAST SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF TO KEEP THE VALVES FROM BEING DAMAGED. WE TOWED THE CAR OURSELVES THE LAST HALF MILE HOME. JUST A NOTE THE CAR HAS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY REBUILT ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO AND WASN'T REALLY DRIVEN MUCH UNTIL ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

NHTSA ODI #10807860

134,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

AFTER BEING HIT FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, THE THROTTLE STUCK IN A FULL THROTTLE MODE. THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH REMAINED IN FULL THROTTLE MODE AFTER TURNING TO THE OFF POSITION, AND THE BRAKES WERE IMPAIRED TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT OVERPOWER THE ACCELERATION, CAUSING ME TO BE FORCED TO FIND A…

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AFTER BEING HIT FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, THE THROTTLE STUCK IN A FULL THROTTLE MODE. THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH REMAINED IN FULL THROTTLE MODE AFTER TURNING TO THE OFF POSITION, AND THE BRAKES WERE IMPAIRED TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT OVERPOWER THE ACCELERATION, CAUSING ME TO BE FORCED TO FIND A LOCATION TO CRASH MY VEHICLE, WHICH WAS A BUILDING. EVIDENTLY, THE HOOD HAD PINNED THE THROTTLE FULLY BACK, AND THE VACUUM HOSES, WHICH ARE NECESSARY TO CUT FUEL TO THE DIESEL WE SEVERED. ALSO THE VACUUM HOSES BEING CUT NEGATED THE POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THUS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470437

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2008
Power Train

ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AND EXPERTS' OPINIONS WHICH CONTAIN THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ME AN E-MAIL ADDRESS, A MAILING ADDRESS AND/OR A FAX NUMBER. THANK YOU. *TR THE CONSUMERS 4 OLD SON WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AS THE MOTHER WAS REMOVING THE CHILD FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CHI…

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ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AND EXPERTS' OPINIONS WHICH CONTAIN THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ME AN E-MAIL ADDRESS, A MAILING ADDRESS AND/OR A FAX NUMBER. THANK YOU. *TR THE CONSUMERS 4 OLD SON WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AS THE MOTHER WAS REMOVING THE CHILD FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CHILD INADVERTENTLY MADE CONTACT WITH THE CENTER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER, WHICH CAUSED THE AUTOMOBILE TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CONSUMER HAD HER 6 MONTH OLD SON IN HER ARMS. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HIT THE MOTHER, AND THE 6 MONTH FELL FROM HIS MOTHERS ARMS AND FELL TO THE GROUND, PARTIALLY UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD ROLLED SUFFICIENTLY TO PINCH THE CHILD BETWEEN THE ROAD AND THE TIRE. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T REQUIRE A SHIFT LEVER RELEASE BUTTON TO BE DEPRESSED BEFORE THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE MOVED FROM PARK TO ANOTHER GEAR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE TO INCORPORATE AN IGNITION SWITCH SHIFT INTERLOCK DEVICE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE KEY TO BE PLACED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION AND THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED BEFORE CHANGING GEARS CONSTITUTES A DESIGN DEFECT. UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10225545

211,750 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Structure

CRACKS IN THE REAR SUB-FRAME THE NECESSITATED A $3,000 REPAIR THAT MERCEDES-BENZ WOULD NOT COVER. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE PIECE IN QUESTION WAS ABOVE THE REAR AXLE AND SUPPORTED THE SUSPENSION AND REAR SPRINGS. FROM RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IT AFFECTED 1987-1988 MERCEDES STATION …

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CRACKS IN THE REAR SUB-FRAME THE NECESSITATED A $3,000 REPAIR THAT MERCEDES-BENZ WOULD NOT COVER. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE PIECE IN QUESTION WAS ABOVE THE REAR AXLE AND SUPPORTED THE SUSPENSION AND REAR SPRINGS. FROM RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IT AFFECTED 1987-1988 MERCEDES STATION WAGONS. I READ THAT MERCEDES COVERED THIS REPAIR FOR 10 YEARS, BUT NOT IN THE US. I THINK THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ITEM FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REPLACEMENT PIECE WAS MUCH HEAVIER THAN THE ONE THAT ORIGINALLY CAME ON THE CAR. I KEPT THE OLD PIECE IF ANYONE NEEDS TO INSPECT THE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221920

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2007
Tires

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF MY MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (YEAR 1987) HAD A BLOW OUT AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 40 MPH. THE ORIGIN OF THE BLOW OUT IS THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS A MICHELIN MXV4. I WAS TRAVELING ON TELEPHONE ROAD BY HOUSTON'S HOBBY AIRPORT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR OF POTHOLES AND DEBRI…

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THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF MY MERCEDES BENZ 300 SDL (YEAR 1987) HAD A BLOW OUT AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 40 MPH. THE ORIGIN OF THE BLOW OUT IS THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS A MICHELIN MXV4. I WAS TRAVELING ON TELEPHONE ROAD BY HOUSTON'S HOBBY AIRPORT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR OF POTHOLES AND DEBRIS. THE BLOWOUT SOUNDED LIKE GUNFIRE. I TRAVELED ANOTHER 50 YARDS TO GET TO A SAFE AREA TO CHANGE THE TIRES. I AM FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN THE DAY BEFORE WHEN I WAS GOING 75MPH ON I10. TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO TIREMAX WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS DUE TO A ROAD HAZARD. I DISAGREE BECAUSE I DID NOT ENCOUNTER A ROAD HAZARD NOR HAVE I GONE OVER POTHOLES THAT MAY HAVE WEAKENED THE TIRES. LET THIS BE A RECORD THAT I HAVE REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH MICHELIN AND HAVE BROUGHT THE TIRE BACK TO TIREMAX FOR INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210777

141 miles · Jun 5, 2006
Air BagsSeat BeltsInjury

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE...AIRBAG DEPLOYED, SEAT BELTS LOCKED, CAUSED INJURIES TO LEFT ARM, PAIN UP THROUGH ARM AND NECK, BRUISES, AND BURNS. DROVE TO MB ON 5/30/06. THEY CHECKED CAR OUT. MB STATED IT WAS THE FRONT FLEX DISC THAT BROKE AND HIT THE SENSER TO CAUSE AIRBAG AND ALL SAFETY FEATURES TO LOCK UP. GAVE ME MY CAR BACK, WITHO…

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DRIVING ON INTERSTATE...AIRBAG DEPLOYED, SEAT BELTS LOCKED, CAUSED INJURIES TO LEFT ARM, PAIN UP THROUGH ARM AND NECK, BRUISES, AND BURNS. DROVE TO MB ON 5/30/06. THEY CHECKED CAR OUT. MB STATED IT WAS THE FRONT FLEX DISC THAT BROKE AND HIT THE SENSER TO CAUSE AIRBAG AND ALL SAFETY FEATURES TO LOCK UP. GAVE ME MY CAR BACK, WITHOUT ASKING TO FIX MY SAFETY FEATURES.. FLEX DISC WAS BOUGHT NEW AND INSTALLED 4 MONTHS EARLIER. HAD ANOTHER NEW DISC INSTALLED ON 6/3/06. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY SAFETY FEATURES FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159052

14,100 miles · May 29, 2006
Air BagsInjury

I WAS DRIVING MY 1987 MERCEDES 300E ON THE INTERSTATE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, INJURING MY LEFT ARM, BURNS AND BRUISES FROM THE AIRBAG. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO SETTLE THIS MATTER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158500

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2003
Unknown Or Other

THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE'S PREVIOUS OWNER/SELLER, TAMPERED WITH THE ODOMETER. MR SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015169

200,220 miles · Feb 5, 2003
Air BagsInjury

VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THERE NECK AND WRIST. PH

NHTSA ODI #10006584

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2003
Suspension

FRONT SHOCK TOWER FAILED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #10004823

Official recalls

1

93V095000 · Vehicle Speed Control

May 27, 1993

DUE TO HEAT EFFECTS, THE THROTTLE BUSHING LOCATED ON THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK, CAUSING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE TO SEPARATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE SEPARATES, THE ENGINE WILL RETURNTO IDLE SPEED, AND REMAIN AT IDLE, WITH NO ACCELERATION ABILITY. LOSS OF ENGINESPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE THROTTLE BUSHING WITH A NEW BUSHING MADE FROM MORE HEAT-RESISTANT MATERIALS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE88032 · Abs Failures

Opened Mar 10, 1988 · Closed May 2, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

EA88003 · Sudden Acceleration

Opened Oct 29, 1987 · Closed Jul 31, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

STATUS:THIS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.===