Model year record

1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 recalls & problems

The 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 has 2 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (7 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints19filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

VisibilitySep 19, 1996

Visibility

Recall 96V17500028,874 vehicles

Problem: IF ONE OF THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARMS BECOMES MISALIGNED, THE WIPER BALDE CAN LODGE IN THE GROOVE UNDER THE HEADLAMP. IF THE WASHERS ARE ACTIVATED WITH THE WIPER BLADE IN THE MISALIGNED AND LODGED POSITION, THE WASHER PUMP WILL RUN CONTINUOUSLY EXPELLING ALL AVAILABLE FLUID.
Risk: PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.

Vehicle speed controlMay 27, 1993

Vehicle speed control

Recall 93V095000128,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: DUE TO HEAT EFFECTS, THE THROTTLE BUSHING LOCATED ON THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK, CAUSING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE TO SEPARATE.
Risk: 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.
Fix: REPLACE THE THROTTLE BUSHING WITH A NEW BUSHING MADE FROM MORE HEAT-RESISTANT MATERIALS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainDriveline › Driveshaft; Driveline › Constant velocity joint	7	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system › Radiator assembly	5	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	2	0	3	—
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections	3	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring	3	0	1	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module; Foundation components	3	0	1	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	0	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system	1	0	0	0	—
Structure	1	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor	1	1	0	1	—
SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust	1	0	0	0	—
TiresSidewall	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
MY 1991 300SL BENZ HAS HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED PER MB DEALER BECAUSE IT'S GOING BAD AND DECOMPOSING CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE PROBLEM. THIS AFTER A NO START PROBLEM AND A MONTH IN THE SHOP. AND THEY NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. NOW , AFTER REPLACING THE HARNESS , THEY ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE HARNESS IS A "GREEN WIRING HARNESS" AS REQUIRED BE GERMANY TO ITS AUTO MAKERS IN 1991-1996. THE DECOMPOSING OF THE WIRING CAUSES A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Sep 30, 2009 · 119,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
THE DRIVE TRAIN ON THE CONSUMERS 1991 MERCEDES BENZ 300 LOCKED UP. *JB THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN TOTALLY ISOLATED TO THE CONTROL UNIT. THE TOTAL LOCK UP OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OR THE PROBLEM MAY BE ELSEWHERE CAUSED BY A CERTAIN SET OF CONDITIONS. *SC
Jun 28, 2005
Tires › Sidewall
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN 1991, MERCEDES BENZ, 300D 2.5 TURBO, RIGHT REAR GOODYEAR ROAD HANDLER VOYAGER LX TIRE SIZE P195/60R15, DOT PJUNYBLR319 EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES ON THE TIRES, AND THEY WERE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE. *AK *SLC
Jun 26, 2001
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
REPLACED RIGHT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. *CJ
Jan 20, 1997
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING AFTER ABOUT THE FIRST 5 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE DIES IT CANNOT BE RESTARTED WITHOUT TURNING THE KEY OFF WHICH LOCKS THE STEERING WHILE YOUR STILL MOVING. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN BE HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE IN THE COMPUTER FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *AK
Nov 1, 1999
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING ERRODED THROUGH, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK
May 6, 1999
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation componentsFire
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO UP TO 80 TO 100 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER GEAR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP ALSO, BRAKE SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Jan 31, 1999
Air bags › Frontal1 injury
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT A FRONTAL IMPACT, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAGS. *AK
May 27, 1998

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.