Mercedes-Benz 380 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the Mercedes-Benz 380 (1984–1985) that have at least 5 complaints. 1984 has the most, with 9. Across all years, the part named most often is vehicle speed control (8 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 380 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 7 | 147,500 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 9 | 170,533 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Vehicle speed control8 50%
- Body and structure5 31%
- Transmission and drivetrain1 6.3%
- Suspension1 6.3%
- Electrical system1 6.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1984: “Car: 1984 mercedes 380sl I was pulling into my driveway when I heard a clunk. I kept driving into my carport (garage), and I looked underneath to see if I could see anything. I had someone else look at it, and we discovered that the subframe that holds the lower a-arm was broken, and the a-arm hanging by only one end. The models 350sl-450sl currently have a recall, and so must 380sl because it shares the same subframe defect as the others. …”
NHTSA complaint #10408514, filed 2011-06, 215,095 miles1985: “Consumer states after pressing the acclerator, the engine raced, threw driver forward and the vehicle accelerated in reverse at a high speed. Vehicle crashed into a vehicle parked in an adjacent row. Driver attempted to reach the brake pedal seconds before the impact but did not have time to overcome the roaring engine. Mechanic replaced idle speed control unit and idle valve.”
NHTSA complaint #567549, filed 2002-09Other Mercedes-Benz models
3,965 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
659 complaints
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. Methodology