1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 Series Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 69%of 13 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 Series, 69% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought the car used.... I now know why the man was so eager to sell at such a reasonable price. Car continues to stall on me, after letting it sit and cool for approx. 20+ mins it will usually start. On one occasion the car seemed to be on fire, by the time I got pulled over, there was just a lot of smoke. After driving the car for anything over 5-10 mins it smells as if it were on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10209057, filed 2007-11, 130,048 miles“I have a 1992 300ce mercedes benz. The wiring harness is bad and I'm told that the plastic was made of what has been outlawed. This material may cause a fire. What if anything can I do to remedy this without having to pay an arm an leg, as far as the mercedes company is concerned? Help!!!!!!!!!!! Please note there has been no accident but in order to proceed I had to put in a date. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #10134359, filed 2005-08, 110,000 miles“Electrical wiring harness of the 1992 w140 mercedes benz 300sd shorted out and cause a fire inside my vehicle. I shut of the power source and now my car is worthless since the wiring is bad.”
NHTSA complaint #10259977, filed 2009-02, 240,000 miles“1992 mercedes benz 300se the issue is from the results of a dryrotted engine wiring harness. During the time period this car was manufactured mercedes benz used a biodegratable material for the wire coverings. This material through the years could not withstand the heat produced by the engine under the hood. This is a problem that mercedes know about and has since changed the wiring harness cover material a few year later. All their mechanics know this and it is well documented on every mercedes forum that I have found. I am talking about thousands of occurrences recorded. …”
NHTSA complaint #10269282, filed 2009-05, 100,500 miles“I have a 1992 300ce and I was informed last week by the mechanic that the wiring harness is cracking and peeling. After reading the many complaints about their wiring harness causing a fire I am concern. The problem that I am having is the car alarm, radio, and left headlight socket plug is damage due to electrical fault. I am considering replacing the wire harness.”
NHTSA complaint #10152349, filed 2006-03Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 Series
3 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology