1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 16 mpgcombined, 4.2L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E. The part named most often is electrical system, with 17 complaints (89% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine cooling (1). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 125,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings filed under the same part.
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 system17 89%
- Brakes1 5.3%
- Engine cooling1 5.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.3%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The engine wiring harness in my 1992 mercedes 400E has deteriorated and is causing shorts throughout the car. The gauges do not work and the throttle body is failing. I have had the car towed twice because of this and the repair is in the thousands of dollars. This should be a recall and replaced due to the safety hazard. My car stalled in the middle of the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10167735, filed 2006-09, 100,000 milesBrakes: “1992 mercedes benz 400E. Consumer writes in regards to several recall notices rendered vehicle useless. Mercedes benz wrote to the consumer, stating there were no outstanding recall campaigns on the vehicle. The consumer referenced recall numbers, 92v083000 and 94v004000.”
NHTSA complaint #10567263, filed 2014-03Transmission and drivetrain: “The check engine light came on and before I could pull over there was smoke coming from under the hood. When I opened the hood the air cleaner assembly was melted through and some flame was still glowing in the driver side air filter. The upper engine wiring harness was charred along the driver side and the connector to the cam actuator had disintegrated. After getting the car towed home I followed the harness back to the amp connector and all of the insulation on the wires had completely degraded to a powder. …”
NHTSA complaint #10604618, filed 2014-06, 135,905 milesMileage when problems were reported
9% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 95,000 and 145,000 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 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400E RWD | 4.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
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
- 94V004000Jan 6, 1994Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust systemCovers: Mercedes-Benz 400E 1992–1993
High ambient engine compartment temperatures are experienced after the vehicle is operated and then parked. If the vehicle is restarted a short time later and the charcoal canister is saturated with fuel, it is possible that fuel vapor may be expelled…
- 92V083000Jun 11, 1992Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mercedes-Benz 400E 1992
The plastic brake hydraulic hose from the automatic slip control unit was misrouted too close to the pre-resistor for the electric auxiliary engine cooling fan which becomes hot under certain conditions. This could cause the hose to melt and leak brake fluid…
Recall details for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 400E
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 19 | 144,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 19 | 125,000 | 2 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
All Mercedes-Benz 400E model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 17 complaints (89% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E (400E, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 125,000 miles and the middle half falls between 95,000 and 145,000 miles; 9% 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.