AI DamageMercedes-Benz 300SE: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz 300SE across 1 model years: 5 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 80% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 20% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (80% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
I have problem with disintegrating wiring causing my car to accelerate on its own. I took it to the mercedes benz dealership where they didn't know what asr was let alone fix the problem. They had my car for 1 and a-half weeks. Please inform me as to what to do as I feel I am driving a dangerous vehicle.
While driving and a right turn was made, the steering wheel locked up, which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. . After having a third set of motor mounts installed, the consumer was told a heat shield was necessary to protect the motor mount from the exhaust heat.
Consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle caught on fire and was totaled. The fire inspector indicated the fire was caused by the electrical system.
And the consumer is concerned because the wires can cause a fire. The dealership is aware of the problem. Consumer adds the wiring in the engine compartment had totally deteriorated to the point that bare wires were exposed because the insulation had cracked and fell off the wire having an potential to cause an fire.
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.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
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.