AI Damage1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E: common problems
Owners of the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 19
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 89% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 17 complaints (89% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (5% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (5% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (5% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (5% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 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 | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
The check engine light came on and before I could pull over there was smoke coming from under the hood. When I opened the hood the air cleaner assembly was melted through and some flame was still glowing in the driver side air filter.
1992 mercedes benz 400e. Consumer writes in regards to several recall notices rendered vehicle useless. Mercedes benz wrote to the consumer, stating there were no outstanding recall campaigns on the vehicle. The consumer referenced recall numbers, 92v083000 and 94v004000.
I am concerned about this causing a fire. I am aware that this is common to this model because of the composition of the insulation material. I do not want injury to myself or others while driving this automobile.
The engine / fuel injection wiring harness of my 1992 mercedes-benz 400e (145,000 miles), has cracked insulation throughout and is beginning to short out with the risk of causing dangerous engine malfunction and even fire inside my engine compartment.
Acceleration slip control unit failed, causing vehicle to accelerate out of control.
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 8,439 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 23% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 400E has 19 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 19, about average.
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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 19. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (16%), A/C or heater (5%), jerking, harsh shifts (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E?
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 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E 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 1992 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.