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1990 Mercedes Benz 300 problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300 is engine and cooling. It has 1.7 times the complaints of a typical 300 model year.

Typical year1.7x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
4
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
16-26mpg

The worst 1990 Mercedes Benz 300 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    3
  • Airbags
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    3
  • Airbags
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 4

Vehicle speed controlReported May 27, 1993 · 128,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Due to heat effects, the throttle bushing located on the accelerator control cable, can fatigue and break, causing the throttle linkage to separate.
Risk
If the throttle linkage separates, the engine will returnto idle speed, and remain at idle, with no acceleration ability. Loss of enginespeed without prior warning could lead to loss of vehicle control and anaccident.
Remedy
Replace the throttle bushing with a new bushing made from more heat-resistant materials.

Recall number 93V095000 · Recall details

Tires: sidewallReported May 1, 1990 · 278 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Left front and left rear tires may have been damaged by a worn chain drive of the conveyor system.
Risk
Damaged or cut tires could fail during use and result in an accident with possible injuries.
Remedy
Replace damaged tires with tires of the same brand name.

Recall number 90V062000 · Recall details

Equipment: appliance: air conditionerReported May 1, 1990 · 1,584 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Under certain operating conditions, the plastic cover of the preresistor for the auxiliary fan may melt, possibly igniting the preresistor.
Risk
This results in an underhood fire that would be hazardous to occupants.
Remedy
Replace the preresistor with version having a metal cover.

Recall number 90V068000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation componentsReported January 26, 1990 · 594 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Bolts used for the brake strut support do not meet specifications and may break.
Risk
The failure of the bolts may result in a deterioration of vehicle steering and braking which could result in loss of control and an accident.
Remedy
Replace hex nut bolts with bolts that meet specifications.

Recall number 90V033000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300

1990 Mercedes Benz 300 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 5‑cyl DieselRWD233026
3.0L 6‑cylRWD14-1617-2116-18
2.6L 6‑cylRWD172118
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD1518-2016-17

What 1990 Mercedes Benz 300 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 11, 2002 · Engine · CA

300 se, vehicle stalls at any speed, check engine light comes on intermittantly. Dealer unable to find problem. Mr

Filed Apr 28, 2002 · Engine · CA

I drop my car to the service station for smog check, next day I called mechanic,to see if my car is done. He said no it still have a high reading on hydro emission. He said he will try to inject water and or some kind of chemical into the engine to rejuvenate the catalytic converter. Next day he called me and said that my car needs a new catalytic converter. He said I can have one put in for $480.00. I said it's too high. I told him I wil have my other mechanic from california muffler install one on it. When I went to pick my car in his shop I noticed the very loud noise coming from the engine. I asked him what is that noise, he said it's some kind of carbon desposite logde in the piston. It should go away. I drove the car to the califorina muffler shop and had a catalytic converter installed. I took the car back for re-test at texaco station, and again it failed. I insisted that he screwed nu my engine and said no. He asked all his mechanic friends that noise will eventually go away. Upset about the situation I told the mechanic. You owe me an engine, he said he can not help me because he is a commision mechanic, I have to bring my complain to the owner of the station. So I confronted the owner, he told my you got problem, have your lawyer talk to my lawyer. Meantime I had my mercedes mechanic look into hte noise problem. He went and drop the oil pan and found all kinds of metal filings in it. He also told me #4 piston is the one making the noise. I had them drop the whole engine and opened it up. Sure enough the #4 piston push rod was bent. Piston skirt was hitting the cam shaft making the lound noise, that by now you can barely hear it any except if you drive the car and go into tunnel or next to concrete wall that you hear the noise. No wonder it won't pass smog re-test when brought the car back to his shop.my car is still at the mercedes benz mech. In torrance auto house in torrance, ca. Waiting for an engine. It's been there since last december last year. *

Filed Dec 30, 1999 · Engine · TX

While driving there was a loud noise due to the rear motor mounts dropping. Dealer has seen vehicle.

Filed Sep 4, 1997 · Visibility · TX

A/c heater core leaked allowing the toxic anti-freeze to spray into the vehicle onto consumer.

Filed May 23, 1995 · Airbags · NM

The passenger side air bag has melted. Tt

Compare the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300

Other model years

19901991199219931994199519961997199819992002

Questions about the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300

Is the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300 reliable?

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300, 1.7 times a typical 300 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300?

Engine and cooling, with 3 complaints. Next is airbags (1).

How many recalls does the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300 have?

4 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, tires and equipment.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300 get?

Official estimates for the 1990 Mercedes Benz 300 range from 16 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 5-cyl diesel, RWD) gets 23 city and 30 highway.

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