1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 167,110miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (24% of the total), followed by air bags (6) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 167,110 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 6 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Engine cooling7 24%
- Air bags6 21%
- Tires3 10%
- Fuel system2 6.9%
- Other or unknown2 6.9%
- Brakes1 3.5%
- Electrical system1 3.5%
- Exterior lighting1 3.5%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Trap oxidizer failed prior to recall, after replacement the head gasket blew, recall work performed with (2nd) new trap oxidizer and the head gasket needed replacement again, possible remedy problem with unit which may be causing damage to the head gaskets after recall repair.”
NHTSA complaint #513477, filed 1997-05Air bags: “I was driving my 1987 mercedes 300e on the interstate, when suddenly the air bag deployed for no reason, injuring my left arm, burns and bruises from the airbag. Would like to know what I can do to settle this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #10158500, filed 2006-05, 14,100 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Air bags deployed while driving at 55mph. Vehicle was not involved in a collision. After vehicle was inspected it was determined that flex disc caused driveshaft to come loose,activating the air bag sensor. Manufacturer was notified. The drivetrain had snapped and the sensor to the air bag is located there, causing the airbag to deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #895836, filed 2001-09Tires: “The right rear tire of my mercedes benz 300 sdl (year 1987) had a blow out at a speed of approx. 40 MPH. The origin of the blow out is the inner side wall of the tire. The tire is a michelin mxv4. I was traveling on telephone road by houston's hobby airport when the incident occurred. The road was clear of potholes and debris. The blowout sounded like gunfire. I traveled another 50 yards to get to a safe area to change the tires. I am fortunate that this did not happen the day before when I was going 75mph on i10. …”
NHTSA complaint #10210777, filed 2007-12Mileage when problems were reported
33% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,100 and 211,750 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300E RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 300D RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 22 | 27 | 24 | $4,000 |
| 300SDL RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 21 | 20 | $4,800 |
| 300TD RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 25 | 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
- 93V095000May 27, 1993Vehicle speed controlCovers: Mercedes-Benz 300 1987–1991
Due to heat effects, the throttle bushing located on the accelerator control cable, can fatigue and break, causing the throttle linkage to separate.
Recall details for the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA88003Sudden accelerationClosed · Oct 29, 1987
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 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 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (24% of the total), followed by air bags with 6.
Has the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 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 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 (300E, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 167,110 miles and the middle half falls between 14,100 and 211,750 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. 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.