Mercedes-Benz 190 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 66 consumer complaints across the 8 model years of the Mercedes-Benz 190 (1985–1999) that have at least 5 complaints. 1987 has the most, with 14. Across all years, the part named most often is visibility (12 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 190 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 7 | 150,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 6 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 11 | 205,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 5 | 193,000 | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 14 | 49,115 | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | 142,748 | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)12 17%
- Vehicle speed control12 17%
- Engine cooling11 15%
- Transmission and drivetrain9 13%
- Electrical system8 11%
- Air bags8 11%
- Brakes7 9.9%
- Suspension4 5.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1985: “On 05-03-2011 while driveing my mercedes benz190 series /1985- the heating coil burst pouring &spraying hot radiator coolant from under the dash/over the fire wall onto my legs and feet. Burning and blistering 2nd degree burns over my legs and feet. There was no prior warning of any problem ,this just happened out of the blue. The car has never given me any problem with over heating or gauges. First time. I heard a hissiing like sound 3 or 4 secounds before my leggs started burning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10401372, filed 2011-05, 105,496 miles1989: “Upon starting the car, first smoke and then quickly fire emerged into the passenger compartment from the center of the dash board with flames coming through the glove box compartment. The car was not moving. A fire extinguisher was obtained from the public parking garage where the car was located and the fire extinguished. The los angeles fire dept responded to verify the fire was out. The car was a total loss. Photos of the car showing the damage are available.”
NHTSA complaint #10459004, filed 2012-05, 288,000 miles1987: “On our way to the mayo clinic in rochester, mn. When the left front tire suddenly started to disintegrate. Pulled over to the side of the road where the toll road truck came and changed tire....illinois state trooper stopped and filed a accident report.”
NHTSA complaint #10251028, filed 2008-12, 49,115 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,963 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
657 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology