1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 22 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel RWD · 21 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (62% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and seat belts (2). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
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.
- Air bags8 62%
- Seat belts2 15%
- Brakes1 7.7%
- Electrical system1 7.7%
- Body and structure1 7.7%
- Tires1 7.7%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Driver's airbag deployed while vehcle was in motion ,resulting in minor injuries.vehicle was not involved in a collsion. Manufacturer has been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #845510, filed 1999-08Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300SDL RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 24 | 22 | $4,350 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- EA88003Sudden accelerationClosed · Oct 29, 1987
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 300
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 6 | 74,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 8 | 160,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 16 | 163,756 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 39 | 103,756 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 22 | 118,152 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 19 | 119,000 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 5 | — | 4 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 5 | 170,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 29 | 167,110 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 13 | — | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 5 | 140,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz 300 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (62% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.
Has the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 (300SDL, 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel) at 22 mpg combined, 21 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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.