Mercedes-Benz 560 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Mercedes-Benz 560 (1986–1990) that have at least 5 complaints. 1988 has the most, with 13. Across all years, the part named most often is vehicle speed control (15 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 560 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 5 | 103,500 | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 178,013 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 13 | 32,000 | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 62,400 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Vehicle speed control15 42%
- Air bags6 17%
- Engine cooling5 14%
- Brakes5 14%
- Electrical system2 5.6%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)1 2.8%
- Transmission and drivetrain1 2.8%
- Tires1 2.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1990: “Car was idling at a stop sign, I noticed white smoke and thought it was exhaust from the cars in front of and behind me. I suddenly became engulfed in smoke and saw it spewing from the front of my car. As I reached to turn off my engine, flames soared from under the hood of my car, higher than I could see, from sitting inside. I immediately got out of the car and ran away from it, as I had a full tank of gas and was afraid of an explosion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10452151, filed 2012-03, 90,000 miles1989: “Many of the complaints I have read are about early 1990 w124, w126,w140,w201 and w202 models. My complaint was regarding an electrical meltdown that occurred on the 1989 560 sel w126 last friday. I recently bought a second car and noticed that the engine had a lump or a surge at idle and at operating speed. I thought since the car sat for a while before I bought it the problem was fuel related. I took the car to repair shop for a new fuel filter. Two days after I bought it the car was returned and it was running fine until I started getting the lumpy idle and surge at speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10193868, filed 2007-06, 178,013 miles1986: “Consumer started the vehicle, placed it into drive and vehicle went forward. Consumer could not stop the vehicle after applying the brakes, and it crashed into a pole and another vehicle. Consumer's vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10117787, filed 2005-04, 62,400 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,965 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
659 complaints
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. Methodology