Mercedes-Benz 380Model year report

1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 Problems

Complaints: 9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 170,533miles, 4 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 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380. The part named most often is body and structure, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and electrical system (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 170,533 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 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.

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Dt: consumer found a recall online and contacted mercedes benz, and dealer,. They acknowledged the recall, but refused to reimburse the consumer for the repairs of the vehicle. The subframe broke, and he had it repaired before he found there was a recall. He had it repaired at a firestone.”

NHTSA complaint #10125290, filed 2005-06, 156,066 miles

Vehicle speed control: “When the cruise control is activated, the car will suddenly accelerate to high speed by itself and the brake does not work. The only option is to shift to neutral and apply the brakes or switch -off the engine. It is most dangerous when you are in heavy traffic.”

NHTSA complaint #10204482, filed 2007-09, 185,000 miles

Electrical system: “In 1993 I had a problem with the vehicle engine shuting down while driving if at any speed. I would step on the gas and the vehicle had no power. It would restart and I could proceed. It was very dangerous and sometimes I was making a left turn and oncoming traffic was approaching. The vehicle was under warranty by Mercedes-Benz and I took it in. They replaced the ingnition control module and overload protection relay. In july 2000, I had the engine shutting down again. It was very intermitten but finally I had it towed to the dealer in nashville on august 7, 2000. …”

NHTSA complaint #740739, filed 2001-02

Suspension: “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 miles

Mileage 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 156,066 and 185,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 170,533 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 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 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380.

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 380

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
1985	7	147,500	0	—	15	—	Not enough data
1984	9	170,533	0	—	—	—	Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz 380 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.

Has the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 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 1984 Mercedes-Benz 380 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 170,533 miles and the middle half falls between 156,066 and 185,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.