NHTSA Data Explorer
Mercedes-Benz 300SD
Data refreshed June 26, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Mercedes-Benz 300SD.
Complaints
191
Active records
Recalls
9
Active records
TSBs
11
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
0
Injuries
10
Crashes
9
Fires
11
Top reported issues — Mercedes-Benz 300SD
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Operating state
Reporting mechanism
Engine behavior
Electrical issue
Safety restraint issue
Ride/handling behavior
Thermal issue
Performance issue
Fluid issue
Safety restraint behavior
Starting behavior
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Noise
Access/entry issue
Braking behavior
Lighting behavior
Vibration/harshness
HVAC behavior
Powering on/off behavior
Steering behavior
Driver assistance issue
Smell
Recent change
Infotainment behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
1993 MERCEDES BENZ 300SD
Filed Aug 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSULATION HAD EXPOSED AND BURNT WIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED ARLINGTON MERCEDES-BENZ (585 N GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA 22203, (703) 525-2100) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NO LONGER HAD PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,172.
1993 MERCEDES BENZ 300SD
Filed Sep 10, 2016
THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS OF MY 1993 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SD HAS CRACKED INSULATION THROUGHOUT AND IS BEGINNING TO SHORT-CIRCUIT WITH THE RISK OF CAUSING DANGEROUS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND FIRE. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF OTHER MERCEDES-BENZ CARS OF THE SAME AGE RANGE 1992-1997 HAVING THE EXACT SAME DEFECT ECO WIRING. JUST LOOK AT ANY ONLINE FORUM OR TALK TO ANY MERCEDES TECHNICIAN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MERCEDES THAT THEY REFUSE TO RECALL.
1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SD
Filed Jun 17, 2014
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS PART# 140 540 2005. THIS HARNESS HAS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE INOPERABLE. AFTER MONTHS OF RESEARCH ONLINE AND PHONE CALLS TO MB I HAVE NO PARTS AND NO ANSWERS TO THE PROBLEM. SO MANY OF THESE CARS HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS AND YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. WHY? IT IS A FIRE WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE ARE MANY HARNESS AVAILABLE FOR VARIOUS MODELS WITH THE INFAMOUS BIODEGRADABLE WIRING PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT PRICE RANGES ALSO, BUT THEY…
1999 MERCEDES BENZ 300
Filed Mar 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ 300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO LOCK THE DOORS BUT NOTICED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT USED THE SPARE KEY AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE MAIN KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE KEY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
1993 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SERIES
Filed Sep 29, 2013
BATTERY GOES DEAD, REPLACED BATTERY, IT GOES DEAD. CHARGED BATTERY , IT GOES DEAD. *TR
1993 MERCEDES BENZ 300
Filed Apr 10, 2013
THE ENGINE HARNESS PROBLEM AFTER OWNING MY CAR SINCE 1993. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS WAS MADE WITH BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL WHICH HAS NOW LOST IT'S PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE METAL WIRES. WITH WIRES EXPOSED AFTER THE ENGINE HARNESS DEGRATION, THE CAR WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST ME FOR A LONG TIME, HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO USE. WITHOUT THE PROPER HARNESS REPLACEMENT, THE CAR IS TOTALLY USELESS. UPON CHECKING INTO THIS PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT EVERY E300 BUILT BETWEEN 1992 AND 1997…
1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SERIES
Filed Dec 11, 2012
THE GUY SOLD TO ME WITH IT NOT RUNNING HE SAID HE HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED AND IT STILL DON'T RUN 700 WAS SPENT I HAVE RECITE ITS A 1992 300SE THIS IS SICK THIS IS WHAT [XXX] TOLD HIM AND IT STILL DON'T RUN SO NOW WHAT? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
1995 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SERIES
Filed Oct 24, 2012
VEHICLE WIRING HARNESS BURNS AND SHORTS DUE TO INSULATION ON WIRING DEGRADING CAUSING FAILURE OF NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SERIES
Filed Aug 3, 2012
I WAS GOING WEST ON VINEYARD AND 10TH ST, A CAR TRAVELING (65MPH) SOUTH ON 10TH ST HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PUSHING THE CAR INTO A POLE DAMAGING THE LEFT FRONT END. *TR
1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SERIES
Filed Jul 29, 2012
WE DEPARTED FROM HOME AND DROVE AT THE LOCAL SPEED OF 45-55 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AND PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. WE DROVE ON THE FREEWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AT 65 MPH WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THIS WAS WITHOUT WARNING AS THERE HAD BEEN NO SIGNS OR FEELING OF A FLAT TIRE. TIRES' PRESSURES ARE CHECKED PERIODICALLY, ABOUT ONCE EVERY MONTH. WE ALWAYS ENSURE TIRES ARE VISUALLY INSPECTED APPROPRIATELY PRIOR TO DEPARTING OUR HOME. THE TIRES WERE INTACT…