1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles, 16 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500. The part named most often is electrical system, with 17 complaints (74% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine cooling (1). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign 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.
- Electrical system17 74%
- Brakes1 4.3%
- Engine cooling1 4.3%
- Other or unknown1 4.3%
- Seat belts1 4.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.3%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The engine/fuel injection wiring harness of my 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500e (64,000 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. I have read many reports of other Mercedes-Benz cars of the same age range having the exact same issue. This is a know issue with mercedes that they refuse to recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10118292, filed 2005-12, 60,000 milesEngine cooling: “My 500e sedan was experiencing erratic throttle control and intermittent stalling while driving, thus placing me at risk of no control of the vehicle. An examination of both the engine wiring harness and throttle-body showed disintegration of the wires protective insulation. Both items were replaced at a cost of approx. $1,900.”
NHTSA complaint #10200980, filed 2007-08Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,455 and 170,000 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 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500E RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 16 | $5,150 |
| 500SEC RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $6,300 |
| 500SEL RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $6,300 |
| 500SL RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 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
- 96V175000Sep 19, 1996Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Covers: Mercedes-Benz 500 1990–1994, 300 1991–1993, 600 1993–1994 +2 more
If one of the headlamp wiper arms becomes misaligned, the wiper balde can lodge in the groove under the headlamp. If the washers are activated with the wiper blade in the misaligned and lodged position, the washer pump will run continuously expelling all…
Recall details for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 11 | 21,750 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 9 | 85,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 7 | 48,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 8 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 8 | 101,116 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 6 | 140,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 23 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 15 | 99,500 | 1 | — | 11 | — | Stable |
All Mercedes-Benz 500 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 17 complaints (74% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 (500E, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 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 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 80,455 and 170,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.