AI DamageMercedes-Benz 300E: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz 300E across 5 model years: 40 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (23% of all).
- Air bags: 8 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (13% of all).
- Fuel system: 5 complaints (13% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 40 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
Whiile reaching into vehicle for a pocket book the strap pulled shift lever into gear while vehicle was parked with no key in it, causing vehicle to slip into gear and roll down hill. Dealer has been contacted.
Front support bracket that holds the coil spring thts atached to the bdy chasis is starting to come apart has cracks
When backing up going down a slight hill the brake skip and you have to pump the brake to stop it .thank god I do not live on a steep hill my drive way has a little hill w bhen backing out the garage.. Since I am not that educated in cars . It is unknown.please let me know if any one have had a problem like mine.
The contact stated that while in park, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact was unsure what warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the starter and the rear struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred.
When engine cuts off power steering no longer functions (very upsetting while turning which is usually when it cuts off). Have taken it to private shop and mercedes dealer but nothing resolved the issue. Car is driven rarely now due to this issue and issue is still active in car.
This obviously could lead to engine fires, stalling, sudden acceleration, loss of power, etc. My vehicle has stalled several times on the freeway and in the middle of intersections. This problem is heavily documented on the internet with all 91-96 mercedes models.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other models of this make
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.