1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 Problems
- Complaints
- 39filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 103,756miles, 16 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, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300. The part named most often is electrical system, with 24 complaints (62% of the total), followed by engine cooling (7) and fuel system (3). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 6% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 103,756 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, 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.
- Electrical system24 62%
- Engine cooling7 18%
- Fuel system3 7.7%
- Steering3 7.7%
- Air bags2 5.1%
- Seat belts2 5.1%
- Vehicle speed control2 5.1%
- Brakes1 2.6%
- Equipment1 2.6%
- Other or unknown1 2.6%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “My research indicate that this engine wiring harness problem is an ongoing issue for many mercedes benz, 300 e, and 300se cars with the twin cam engines made between the years of 1993-1995. Not only I am unable to have routine maintenance done, but I am told by the repair facility that this presents a safety problem, because there is a risk of fire associated with this defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10417754, filed 2011-08, 37,854 milesEngine cooling: “Driver's restraint does not retract when driver leans forward and back. Dealer will be notified. When making a u-turn, the engine dies without any apparent reason.”
NHTSA complaint #875955, filed 2000-12Fuel system: “The engine / fuel injection wiring harness of my 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300e has cracked insulation throughout and is beginning to short out with the risk of causing dangerous engine malfunction and even fire inside my engine compartment. I have read many reports of other Mercedes-Benz cars of the same age range having the exact same defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10229661, filed 2008-06, 150,000 milesSteering: “Vehicle was in accident 9-2-00. Dealer told insurance company (chubb) that there was $5000 damage. After contacting ralph koos at mercedes USA, he found thousands of dollars in additional repairs. Concours was reimbursed for more than the car was worth. However mercedes assured us that the car was completely fixed and safe to drive. A few weeks later, the right side collapsed, made noises and swayed side to side so much the vechile felt like it was going to flip over. The vehicle has either a manufacturers defect or the repairs were not complete from the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #738708, filed 2001-01Mileage when problems were reported
6% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 130,000 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 1993 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 | 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 300D 2.5 Turbo RWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 26 | $3,700 |
| 300SE RWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $5,500 |
| 300SL RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
| 300SL RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
| 300TE RWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 300TE 4Matic 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 17 | $4,850 |
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…
Recall details for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1993 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 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 have?
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 24 complaints (62% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 7.
Has the 1993 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 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 (300TE, 3.2L 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 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 103,756 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 130,000 miles; 6% 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.