IllustrationTWO OHTSU TIRES SUFFERED BELT SEPARATION. *DSH
1987 Mercedes Benz 300
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 300 years →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 reportsWHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE, TURN ON IGNITION, APPLIED BRAKES, SHIFTED TO REVERSE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, MADE LOUD SOUND, CAUSED ACCIDENT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET,THE CAR EXPERINCED AN ENGINE COMPARMENT FIRE.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
WHEN IGNITION IS OFF, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CAN BE MOVED INTO DIFFERENT GEARS. TT
OTHER: AIR BAG COVER IS CRACKING. *DSH
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TT
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS FAILED. TT
ENGINE SEALS/GASKETS FAIL PREMATURELY. *AW
AFTER PULLING FROM STOP, OWNER FLAGGED. OWNER STOPPED W/SMOKE FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. FIRE MARSHALL THINKS RUPTURED FUEL LINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Official recalls
193V095000 · 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
2PE88032 · 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.===