1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 193,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and fuel system (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 193,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system2 40%
- Engine cooling2 40%
- Fuel system2 40%
- Brakes1 20%
- Other or unknown1 20%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I have had problems with the wiring harness. First, the windows wouldn't roll up or down, then the radio began shorting out when I drove over a bump in the road or opened the glove compartment. Next the A/C, heater & economy event all ceased working and the radio would turn on only 1-2 per week randomly. Next all my gauges on my console went out (gas gauge, RPM gauge, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge). …”
NHTSA complaint #10205423, filed 2007-10Engine cooling: “Without any warning or for no apparent reason, the check engine light comes on at any given speeds. While the light comes on, the car starts to choke or buck, like no gas is getting thru. This particular problem has occurred in numerous driving situations, from stopping for a light, to driving at high speeds on a highway. After car bucks, or chokes the vehicle stalls. It starts right up again, with no problem. I have had to pull of a highway numerous times, to avoid stalling, with continuous traffic coming behind me. …”
NHTSA complaint #705517, filed 1999-04Fuel system: “1988 190e mercedes benz--no warning while driving car will turn completely off or acceleration will stop and car will accelerate after brief pause (all while driving at very low speed). Not accelerator cable or fuel injection problem. Very dangerous as there is no warning & no lights illuminate.”
NHTSA complaint #10100569, filed 2004-11, 193,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 193,000 and 193,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190E 2.3 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 190E 2.3 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 22 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 190E 2.6 RWD | 2.6L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 21 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 190E 2.6 RWD | 2.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 190D 2.5 RWD | 2.5L 5-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 26 | 31 | 28 | $3,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V137000Aug 20, 1991Parking brake › Conventional › MechanicalCovers: Mercedes-Benz 190 1984–1988
The design of the parking brake grip makes it possible to distort the grip and pinch the brake release knob. If the release knob sticks in a partial engage/release position because of the pinched grip, it is possible for the lever to release unintentionally…
Recall details for the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA88034Sudden accelerationClosed · Jul 15, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 190
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 7 | 150,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 11 | 205,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 5 | 193,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 14 | 49,115 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | — | 2 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | 142,748 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz 190 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 (190E 2.3, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 193,000 miles and the middle half falls between 193,000 and 193,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.