1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- 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
- 15 mpgcombined, 4.2L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by equipment (1) and exterior lighting (1). Of all complaints, 2 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.
- Equipment1 17%
- Exterior lighting1 17%
- Fuel system1 17%
- Body and structure1 17%
- Suspension1 17%
- Tires1 17%
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “Got in the vehicle, started the ignition, and vehicle accelerated during 80 MPH on wet pavement. Vehicle kept spinning around and around and slammed against the curb and bounced back and forth against the curb. Also, wheel came off and vehicle ended up in consumer's yard between an oak tree and a telephone pole.”
NHTSA complaint #835924, filed 1999-03Equipment: “The consumer state's when driving their is a gasoline smell within the vehicle, the antenna is broken, brake lightand the tail light failed and their is a hole within the gas tank. Mjs”
NHTSA complaint #848704, filed 1999-09Complaints 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 420 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 420SEL RWD | 4.2L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,500 |
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 420 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 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 420
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 22 | 131,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 15 | 95,784 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 16 | 110,125 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz 420 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by equipment with 1.
Has the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 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 420 get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 (420SEL, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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.