1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 103,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 14 mpgcombined, 5.6L 8-cyl RWD · 12 city / 16 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560. The part named most often is air bags, with 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and engine (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 103,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, 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.
- Air bags1 20%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Engine1 20%
- Engine cooling1 20%
- Fuel system1 20%
- Tires1 20%
Example complaints
Air bags: “While driving 65 MPH both of the front air bags deployed intermittently. Consumer was injured by the deployed air bag on driver's side. Injuries were sustained on the left arm/stomach and the penis.”
NHTSA complaint #10034417, filed 2003-08, 110,000 milesElectrical system: “I was driving down the street when smoke began to come from beneath the hood and into the vehicle. The wiring harness to the engine control system developed severe shorts, stalled the engine, disabled the ABS and the other electronic control systems. I was able to pull over, opened the hood, and saw flames coming out from underneath the battery compartment. After extinguishing the fire, the car no longer started. Upon inspection, most of the electrical wiring had melted, while the short has irreversibly damaged the car's computer, which does not operate and it smells burned. …”
NHTSA complaint #10446921, filed 2012-02, 118,000 milesEngine: “2001 mercedes benz s600 - oil leak and car fire - that is a known problem with this car. Does there have to be a death or injury before mercedes is held responsible for the problem. Just because there are not as many of these cars on the road, is that the reason there has not been a recall? I was sitting in the car while parked, with the engine running, picking up my grandson from school. Within minutes I noticed white smoke around the car. I thought it was exhaust from the car either in front or in back of me, as they were both waiting for children, motors idleing as mine was. …”
NHTSA complaint #10467188, filed 2012-07, 97,000 milesEngine cooling: “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 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 97,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 560SEC RWD | 5.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 14 | $5,850 |
| 560SEL RWD | 5.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $6,300 |
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
- 90V033000Jan 26, 1990Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation componentsCovers: Mercedes-Benz 560 1990, 300 1990, 420 1990
Bolts used for the brake strut support do not meet specifications and may break.
Recall details for the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz 560
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 5 | 103,500 | 1 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 178,013 | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 13 | 32,000 | 2 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 62,400 | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz 560 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 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 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 (560SEC, 5.6L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 12 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 103,500 miles and the middle half falls between 97,000 and 110,000 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 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.