AI Damage1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
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.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
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.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (60%), steering or power steering problems (20%), unintended acceleration (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE?
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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE 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 1991 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 2026-11-05.