NHTSA Data Explorer
Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Data refreshed June 26, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL.
Complaints
188
Active records
Recalls
13
Active records
TSBs
12
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
8
Fires
11
Top reported issues — Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Operating state
Engine behavior
Electrical issue
Reporting mechanism
Thermal issue
Noise
Performance issue
Safety restraint issue
Starting behavior
Safety restraint behavior
Fluid issue
Braking behavior
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Vibration/harshness
Ride/handling behavior
Access/entry issue
HVAC behavior
Lighting behavior
Driver assistance issue
Smell
Wiper/washer behavior
Powering on/off behavior
Recent change
Steering behavior
Infotainment behavior
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
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
1991 MERCEDES BENZ 129
Filed Nov 7, 2012
PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED ON. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. *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…
1995 MERCEDES BENZ 129
Filed Jul 10, 2012
ASR LIGHT CAME ON, CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT ON A HILL, STOPPED , LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR HAD ALMOST NO POWER AND HAD A VERY HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH THE LIGHT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE TESTER WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CONTROL MODULE. I FINALLY FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THAT KNEW ABOUT THIS CAR HAVING A KNOWN PROBLEM. WHEN HE SHOWED ME THE WIRING IT HAD CRACKED BROKEN MISSING INSULATION…
1994 MERCEDES BENZ 129
Filed May 23, 2012
THE WIRING HARNESS, OF WHICH THERE ARE THREE, WAS CONSTRUCTED OF AN INSULATION CASE THAT IS BY DESIGN BIODEGRADABLE. THIS WAS A MATERIAL SELECTION DEFECT AND IS CAUSING GREAT EXPENSE AND PAIN TO OWNERS OF THESE CARS. IT IS ALSO DRASTICALLY AFFECTING RESALE VALUE OF THE CARS. UNUSUAL FOR A CAR THAT COST OVER $100K NEW. THEREFORE, THE OUTER CASE OF THE THREE HARNESSES DISINTEGRATES OVER TIME, AND EXPOSES THE INDIVIDUAL WIRES TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE 12 CYLINER MOTOR - THIS CAUSES THE…