IllustrationSMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHILE DRIVING.ON THE HIGHWAY 87 NORTH DECEMBER 23, 2017 AT 8:45AM. I WAS HEADING TO CANADA FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. LATER DISCOVERED THAT ALTERNATOR WIRING AND CABLES CAUGHT ON FIRE.
1995 Mercedes Benz S320
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 S320 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 3 of 4 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
3 reportsTHE WIRING THAT CONTROLS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR HAS INSULATION THAT HAS DISINTEGRATED CAUSING A SHORT IN THE WIRING RESULTING IN AN INSTANTANEOUS LOSS OF POWER. VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT THE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY.
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BECOME BRITTLE AND IS ROTTING OFF THE COPPER WIRE CAUSING SHORTS SHORTING OUT MODULES TRANSMISSION HAS STOP SHIFTING FROM 4TH TO 5TH UNLESS YOU LET UP OFF THE GAS AT HIGH RPM'S THEN LET IT FALL DOWN TO ABOUT 7000 RPM'S THEN IT SHIFTS I HAVE CAME CLOSE TO GETTING REAR ENDED BY SEMI TRUCKS TOO MANY TIMES …
Read full complaint
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BECOME BRITTLE AND IS ROTTING OFF THE COPPER WIRE CAUSING SHORTS SHORTING OUT MODULES TRANSMISSION HAS STOP SHIFTING FROM 4TH TO 5TH UNLESS YOU LET UP OFF THE GAS AT HIGH RPM'S THEN LET IT FALL DOWN TO ABOUT 7000 RPM'S THEN IT SHIFTS I HAVE CAME CLOSE TO GETTING REAR ENDED BY SEMI TRUCKS TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT THIS THING COULD CATCH FIRE AT ANY TIME I JUST WONDER WHAT ITS GOING TO TAKE TO GET THIS THING ON THE RECALL LIST IS MERCEDES WAITING FOR IT TO KILL SOMEONE FIRST OR WHAT? *TR
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.