Model year record

1994 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recalls & problems

The 1994 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 2 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (33 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints38filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Electrical systemFeb 21, 1995

Wiring

Recall 95V03100050,000 vehicles

Problem: THE FRONT PASSENGER METAL FOOT REST CAN, OVER TIME, ABRADE THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FOOT REST CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE THE WIRES TO OVERHEAT, STALL THE ENGINE, OR INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY AN AIRBAG, ANY OF THESE INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL WIRING HARNESS CABLE FASTENER TIES AND EDGE PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR SHARP EDGES OF THE METAL FOOT REST.

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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Wiring	33	5	6	112,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine	6	1	6	108,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Front	2	0	0	—
SteeringRack and pinion	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	0	0	—
Fuel system, other	1	0	0	—
Structure	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Engine
WIRE HARNESS DECAY, DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. *TR
Nov 3, 2010 · 150,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
I TURNED ON THE SWITCH OF MY 1994 E320 MERCEDES NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE. OPENED HOOD IT WAS ON FIRE. AIR FLOW SENSOR HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED WIRING HARNESS, PLUGS, BUT CAR IS STILL SURGING NOT IDLING PROPERLY. REPLACED INTAKE AIR SENSOR, PLANNING TO REPLACE IDLE ACTUATOR, AND OVP RELAY. 153,000 MILES I HAVE SPENT 3000.00. MY SON WAS PRESENT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. I HAVE ALL OLD PARTS REPLACED. *TR
Sep 20, 2008 · 153,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
ENGINE OCCASIONALLY STALLING AT ANY SPEED INCLUDING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. MECHANIC TRACED TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS SHORTING. THE DRIVING IS UNSAFE AS THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE WITH MANY FIRES REPORTED. *TR
May 30, 2010 · 72,000 miles
Suspension › Front
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY IS ONLY VALID IN CANADA AND NOT THE UNITED STATES. THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 06/09/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SPRING HOUSING SHROUD WAS CORRODED. THE WHEEL…
Apr 12, 2009 · 140,000 miles
Electrical system
1. POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE, UNSAFE DRIVABILITY, HESITATION AND STALLING. 2. FREQUENCY OF PROBLEM IS VERY OFTEN. QUALIFIED MERCEDES-BENZ REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED ISSUE AS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION DEGRADATION. THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THESE HARNESSES FAIL, ACCORDING TO THEIR HEAD MECHANICS. IN CONVERSATIONS WITH MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER MECHANICS, THEY, TOO, HAVE WITNESSED AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE. 3. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,210.00. *TR
Mar 17, 2009 · 90,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WHEN APPROACHING A COMPLETE STOP. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,800. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO ADDED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURS AT A HIGH FREQUENCY WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
Dec 5, 2008 · 60,000 miles
Electrical systemFire6 injuries
IN MY 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E320, THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS COMPLETELY DEGRADED IN SOME PARTS, CAUSING THE INDIVIDUALLY INSULATED WIRES TO TOUCH EACH OTHER, CAUSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. MY CAR HAS STALLED ON THE FREEWAY SEVERAL TIMES, NEARLY KILLING MYSELF AND ENDANGERING OTHERS. MY FRIEND'S 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E420 HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF A FAILURE WITH THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, CAUSING SEVERE BURNS ON HIS UPPER ARMS AND SMOKE INHALATION INJURIES BETWEEN ME, HIM, AND SEVERAL PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS A CRUCIAL SAFETY DEFECT AND I CANNOT FIND ANY RECOURSE VIA MERCEDES BENZ TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I FEEL THAT I AM A…
Jul 8, 2008
Electrical system
CRUMBLING ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IN MY CAR. I'VE COLLECTED AND RESTORED CARS FOR MANY YEARS, AND FIND THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO BE UNBELIEVABLE - ESPECIALLY FROM MERCEDES BENZ. FURTHERMORE THE LACK OF RESPONSE OR RECALL IS FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT MB IS INDIFFERENT ABOUT EXISTING OWNER SATISFACTION, CUSTOMER SAFETY AND THE QUALITY OF THE BRAND THEY SO PROUDLY PRODUCE. THE REPAIR IS A $900+ EXPENSE TO ME, AND THERE'S NO ASSISTANCE FROM MB. *TR
Aug 1, 2008

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