AI Damage1987 Mercedes-Benz 190: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about vehicle speed control and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Vehicle speed control 36% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 21% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- Vehicle speed control: 5 complaints (36% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Visibility: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 2.5 L · diesel · 5 cyl
- 2.5 L · diesel · turbo · 5 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Vehicle was involved in a collision due to sudden acceleration in which the driver's air bag did not deploy, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
While in reverse vehicle unexpectedly accelerated to extremely high rpms which resulted in a collision, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
On our way to the mayo clinic in rochester, mn. When the left front tire suddenly started to disintegrate. Pulled over to the side of the road where the toll road truck came and changed tire....illinois state trooper stopped and filed a accident report.
While making a u-turn, the steering wheel became locked in the left turn position. Upon start up, it was extremely difficult to steer towards the right and there was a strong tendency for the vehicle to veer towards the left.
While driving heater hose came out. Bracket holding heater pipe broke. Consumer's feet were burned. Consumer had to pull emergency brake, and jump out of vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated vehicle was too old.
The heater core in the vehicle ruptured, causing boiling hot coolant to pour onto the driver's feet. The boiling coolant caused severe burns to driver's foot, ankle and leg. The escaping coolant also caused the car to fill up with steam and elliminated visibility.
Vehicle would jerk/ had leaking seals, and did not shift properly. Consumer has to add transmission fluid every other day.
Cruise control malfunctions and will not shut off, only way is to turn ignition switch off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,552 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 190 has 6 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 14, above average.
What to check before buying
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: vehicle speed control, engine and cooling, visibility. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (21%), engine failure or replacement (14%), knocking, grinding or other noise (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.