AI DamageMercedes-Benz 560: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mercedes-Benz 560 across 8 model years: 42 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Vehicle speed control 38% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 5% of all complaints
- Vehicle speed control: 16 complaints (38% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 7 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (12% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5.5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1986
- 5.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1986–1992
- automatic, 4-speed 1986–1992
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 42 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 12 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 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.
The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who determined the failure was due to rust and poor maintenance, although the contact claimed the vehicle was maintained in show room condition. The model was 1988 mercedes benz 560 sel. Updated 10/18/2006 - updated 11/30/2006 - updated 05/21/07
Consumer started the vehicle, placed it into drive and vehicle went forward. Consumer could not stop the vehicle after applying the brakes, and it crashed into a pole and another vehicle. Consumer's vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was totaled.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when put in reverse, resulting in vehicle hitting a curb, going airborne into a store window. Driver applied brakes, but brakes failed to stop vehicle. Driver sustained injuries. Vehicle was severely damaged.
Ea88034; while in reverse vehicle suddenly accelerated at high speed. Occupant applied the brakes, but they did not work, causing a crash and injuries. Please provide further information.
Upon shifting from park to drive, foot applied to brake pedal, engine roared, then lurched forward, overpowering brakes, hit rock wall, then rolled over, vehicle was totalled.
The vehicle was in reverse and the vehicle suddly accelerated, causing the consumer to have an accident.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- 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.
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.