1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- 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
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and seats (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 140,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 6 an injury, according to the filers. 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.
- Air bags4 36%
- Fuel system2 18%
- Seats2 18%
- Engine cooling1 9.1%
- Seat belts1 9.1%
- Steering1 9.1%
- Suspension1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control1 9.1%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I just experienced my 4th fuel tank fracture over 5 years. The fractures occur in the surface of the tank not caused by wear of any sort. They just spontaneously occur. The tank is completely factory installed in the trunk of the car this allows fumes to enter the entire car. This is a very dangerous condition. I have never experienced a fractured tank in any brand in 40 years of driving. This is a serious matter.”
NHTSA complaint #10147609, filed 2006-01, 180,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Whiile reaching into vehicle for a pocket book the strap pulled shift lever into gear while vehicle was parked with no key in it, causing vehicle to slip into gear and roll down hill. Dealer has been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #838879, filed 1999-06Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,000 and 180,000 miles.
Complaints 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 300E 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 | 5-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 300E RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $4,550 |
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 300E 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
- PE87001Sudden accelerationClosed · Oct 2, 1986
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 300E
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 8 | 134,344 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 7 | 188,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 11 | 152,378 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 11 | 140,000 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz 300E model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.
Has the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E 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 300E get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E (300E, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 140,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100,000 and 180,000 miles; 25% 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. 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.