AI DamageMercedes-Benz 400: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz 400 across 7 model years: 26 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 42% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (42% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 2 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.2 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1992–1993
- automatic, 4-speed 1992–1993
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 26 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 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
While engaging to a complete stop, brake engaged- at the rate of 5 mph, the car suddenly surged forward becoming airborne through a store window, landing halfway into the store and the rear of the car hanging in the air outside of the store.
The driver dozed off, woke up when went off the road, overcorrected and went into a skid, heading into the ditch on the opposite side of the road. The passengerside airbag deployed, but the driver's side airbag did not. The driver side door had to be cut off to remove the driver. State farm ins. Co.
The vehicle caught fire after mildly rearending another vehicle.
The wiring harness on my 1993 mercedes 400sel is defective. After talking with a mercedes mechanic, he informs me how important this harness is and what could happen when it fails. The wires are cracking and splitting and are dried out. This is a very dangerous condition.
Tl contact owns a 1993 mercedes benz 400 sel. The vehicle was purchased used with sumitomo htrz2 tires and tire size, 245/35r20. The contact noticed a split on the rear driver's side tire. Four or five months later, he noticed numerous splits on the tire. He already replaced both front tires.
I have a/c problems with the wires and have had loss of power at the most inconvenient times. I'm starting to have different electrical problems due to this wiring harness and am very nervous of a possible fire as my granddaughter is usually in the car.
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.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
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.