1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 89%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E, 89% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“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 miles“I was driving 80 going on highway 696 when the car suddenly died. I was in the left lane of a 3 lane freeway. I had enough time to get onto the right side along with a few angry drivers. It appears the wire harness was toast. It short circuited and fried the lh module that controls the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10166483, filed 2006-08, 162,000 miles“The engine / fuel injection wiring harness of my 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E (145,000 miles), has cracked insulation throughout and is beginning to short out with the risk of causing dangerous engine malfunction and even fire inside my engine compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #10233679, filed 2008-07, 145,000 miles“The wiring harness on my 1992 400E has disintegrated, as I've read to be common of the mercedes of the early 1990's. My car shudders dramatically when idling, and alternates between periods of slow/no acceleration to unexpected lurching forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10222346, filed 2008-03, 95,000 milesElectrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 14 | 74% |
| 1992 | 17 | 89% |
Other parts of the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology