1996 Mercedes-Benz 300 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 300 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 300. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and exterior lighting (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 160,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 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.
- Electrical system2 25%
- Engine cooling2 25%
- Exterior lighting2 25%
- Suspension2 25%
- Equipment1 13%
- Fuel system1 13%
- Seats1 13%
- Body and structure1 13%
Also reported: Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Driving at 70 MPH on cruise control and electronics on front dash went blank, car decelerated, and I had to get off the road before it stopped. Car would not start for approximately 30 minutes. Was able to restart and drive to safety. Drove car home after a few days - in area away from home and had to use rental. On return home with vehicle, it again stalled out while driving at 40mph on a drawbridge at night! Again, car was able to eventually get restarted and driven to safety. I have had car at mercedes dealership and two other car repair centers that were endorsed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10088701, filed 2004-08, 159,600 milesSuspension: “The welded bracket rusted, and in april 2003, the left hand coil spring bracket failed. Also, in febuary 2004, the right hand coil spring bracket failed. The front of the vehicle jumped into the air, made noises, and a black object had flown off the right side of the vehicle. Every light illuminated on the dash and the speedometer failed. The ears of the bracket that were welded along the body captured water which caused the bracket to shear off and the spring(s) to fail.”
NHTSA complaint #10062908, filed 2004-04, 160,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 159,600 and 205,650 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 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.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1996 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 1996 Mercedes-Benz 300 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 300 as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 300 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1996 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 300 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 160,000 miles and the middle half falls between 159,600 and 205,650 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
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.