AI Damage1990 Mercedes-Benz 560: common problems
Owners of the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 20% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 20% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 20% of all complaints
- Air bags: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 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.
2001 mercedes benz s600 - oil leak and car fire - that is a known problem with this car. Does there have to be a death or injury before mercedes is held responsible for the problem. Just because there are not as many of these cars on the road, is that the reason there has not been a recall?
Car was idling at a stop sign, I noticed white smoke and thought it was exhaust from the cars in front of and behind me. I suddenly became engulfed in smoke and saw it spewing from the front of my car.
I was driving down the street when smoke began to come from beneath the hood and into the vehicle. The wiring harness to the engine control system developed severe shorts, stalled the engine, disabled the abs and the other electronic control systems.
While driving 65 mph both of the front air bags deployed intermittently. Consumer was injured by the deployed air bag on driver's side. Injuries were sustained on the left arm/stomach and the penis.
The vehicle's original tires (pirelli p6-205/65/r15) were all replaced after a tire blowout, consumer replaced tire to avoid further problems, tires have performed poorly and experienced premature wear.
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).
On average one model year of the 560 has 5 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 5, about average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (60%), oil leak or consumption (40%), stalls while driving (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560?
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 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 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 1990 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.