1995 Mercedes-Benz 420 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 47%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Mercedes-Benz 420, 47% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine wiring harness on my 1995 mercedes benz s420 has disintegrated. The wiring insulation is cracked and broken in many places, which has resulted in a non-operating condition. The car has stalled 3 times so far, in traffic, and will now not run at all. Apparently the wires have broken down due to the heat of the engine compartment. I believe the wires were not suitable for the application they were used for.”
NHTSA complaint #10453897, filed 2012-04, 91,567 miles“Shortly after purchase of a 1995 mercedez-benz e420, I was told by an independent mechanic of the need to replace wiring harnesses in the engine compartment because the wiring insulation becomes brittle, cracks, and falls off. This was demonstrated to be the case on my car, with the mechanic showing me the condition of the wires in the engine wiring harness. This repair cost me over $2000 - of course I have receipts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10128910, filed 2005-07, 110,000 miles“Two major failures of wiring on my 1995 s420. (1) main wiring harness shorted, burned insulation and failure to operate. Dealer claimed normal with a car this age. (2) throttle actuator wiring harness shorted, again burned insulation and operate in limped mode only. Contacted regional manager and mb USA, resulting in sending in damaged part to mb USA for engineering study. One month later I contacted the president of mb USA. One week later I was contacted by mb USA customer service, was told they (mb USA) knew nothing about the engineering study. …”
NHTSA complaint #10136415, filed 2005-09, 58,000 miles“1995 420s mercedes is having problems firing. Concerned about wiring harness. Was check and may be causing the problem. Why is there not a recall on this if so many people that own these vehicles are having the same problem? Car is hesitating when key is turned to right and will not fire correctly.”
NHTSA complaint #10235385, filed 2008-07, 100,000 miles“After parking the vehicle, the consumer noticed smoke coming from the steering column. As a result of the failure, fire came through the firewall. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. There were no prior problems. The vehicle had filled with black smoke with the ignition off and the vehicle parked. There was no warning.”
NHTSA complaint #10033790, filed 2003-12Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1995 Mercedes-Benz 420
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1995 Mercedes-Benz 420
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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