1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 119,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 17 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and electrical system (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 119,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns 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.
- Air bags4 21%
- Engine cooling4 21%
- Electrical system3 16%
- Brakes2 11%
- Steering2 11%
- Fuel system1 5.3%
- Seat belts1 5.3%
- Seats1 5.3%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “When starting the vehicle the passenger's airbag deployed unexpectedly without a frontal impact, causing injuries to the occupant. No prior problems with airbags.”
NHTSA complaint #823770, filed 1998-06Engine cooling: “While driving about 65-70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power. The thermostat housing erroded through, causing coolant to leak, resulting in loss of power. The dealer has inspected vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #837938, filed 1999-05Electrical system: “My 1991 300sl benz has had to have the engine wiring harness replaced per mb dealer because it's going bad and decomposing causing a potential fire problem. This after a no start problem and a month in the shop. And they not being able to find the cause. Now , after replacing the harness , they are still not able to find the problem. I have been told that the harness is a green wiring harness as required be germany to its auto makers in 1991-1996. The decomposing of the wiring causes a fire hazard and should be replaced under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10286243, filed 2009-10, 119,000 milesBrakes: “While driving about 50 MPH accelerator got stuck, causing vehicle to go up to 80 to 100 MPH. Consumer had to put vehicle into another gear to get vehicle to stop also, brake system caught on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #834365, filed 1999-02Mileage 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 119,000 and 119,000 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 1991 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300CE RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 300SL RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
| 300SL RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
| 300SL RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| 300TE RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $4,850 |
| 300TE 4Matic 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 18 | 16 | $5,150 |
| 300D 2.5 Turbo RWD | 2.5L 5-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 26 | $3,700 |
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
- 96V175000Sep 19, 1996Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Covers: Mercedes-Benz 300 1991–1993, 500 1990–1994, 600 1993–1994 +2 more
If one of the headlamp wiper arms becomes misaligned, the wiper balde can lodge in the groove under the headlamp. If the washers are activated with the wiper blade in the misaligned and lodged position, the washer pump will run continuously expelling all…
- 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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1991 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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 (300SL, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 119,000 miles and the middle half falls between 119,000 and 119,000 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 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.