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1993 Mercedes Benz 500 problems

The most common problem on the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500 is electrical system, typically around 100,000 miles. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical 500 model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
22
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
2
Worst area
Electrical

The worst 1993 Mercedes Benz 500 problems

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

Problems by type

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

  • Electrical
    16
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500

Stalling 6

Recalls 1

VisibilityReported September 19, 1996 · 28,874 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 available fluid.
Risk
Pump operation in the absence of fluid can cause the pump to overheat and cause a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the headlamp washer pump on these vehicles.

Recall number 96V175000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500

Technical service bulletins for the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500 2

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 1993 Mercedes Benz 500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 9, 2012 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · CA

Engine light on due to faulty engine wiring harness. Many electrical problems, insulation cracked all throughout harness. Requires replacement!!

Filed May 27, 2011 · Electrical · 116,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1993 mercedes-benz 500 sel. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the contact was advised that the vehicle had overheated and caused several wires to melt. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000 and the current mileage was 125,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Dec 8, 2007 · Electrical · 175,000 miles · CA

" extremely dangerous engine wire harness " I believe the faulty wire harness coating was manufactured from 1991 to 1996 by mercedes benz. The plastic coating that protect the wires from touching as they go to eight fuel injectors, completely dissolve in many areas.....causing a multitude of events: 1) sudden engine failure 2) engine fires 3) extreme loss of power, causing car to jerk intensely with the power steering going in and out making it "almost impossible" to control car. I have replaced the "engine wire harness" once, & now needs another on my 93 mercedes 500 sel with 170,000 miles (this will be the 3rd wire harness). (m.b.u..s..a.) is very much aware of their "faulty harness" and have been sent pictures of cars burned to the ground, thousands of letters and pictures consumers consumers, but refuse take responsibility for this "defective-part" ((they refuse to recall this potentially deadly harness)) this problem is so intensely dangerous to everyone on a road way, because the reactions when these wires touch are "completely unprodicab e". Make mercedes stand up to the plate and "r e c a l l " this extremely dangerous e n g I n e w I r e h a r n e s s ! With manufacture dates 1991 through 1996. (not positive of exact years, but somewhat accurate) my 1993 500 sel stalled in middle ln. On hwy. 280 in san jose ca. On 11-29-2007 @ 5:15 p.m. (near 7th street exit) nearly resulting in my death. Cars trying to avoid me during their unexpected and sudden stop and/or lane changes. Cars skidding, sliding, losing control....it was a nightmare!!!. It's a wonder no one including myself was k I l l e d. I'm 46 yrs old, & that was "the most dangerous situation, & closest to my being killed that I 've experienced!" there's no warning to the side effects when the wire harness warms up and the unprotected wires begin to cross current with one another.

Filed Nov 29, 2007 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · CA · 1 injury

When my 1993 mercedes benz 500 sel warms to its normal running temp. It begins to act as if it is not getting fuel. It cuts out intensely and then dies out completely. This is very dangerous when pulling out anywhere. I was told that it is the fuel injection wiring harness. When the car finally quits completely, you are stranded roadside of at least 15 min. Until it will start again. I have been told that this wire harness has caused fires which have destroyed others with this same defective wire coating. Please help us make mercedes do a recall, they are risking our lives! I was struck by a driver when having to push my car to the curb when stalling from this wire harness problem. Fortunately I was not hit at a faster speed. All I received was some major bruising on my hip from the cars bumper. I suffered with pain for over a week. I am not filing for getting hurt, only to fix this well known defective coating on the mercedes benz wiring harness. Please help us with obtaining a recall on this very potentially dangerous problem. Thank you! P.s sept 1 is when this problem started and happens every day now when the car warms up. They want 1400 dollars for a new harness when the 1st one was made d e f e c t I v e l y !

Filed Nov 7, 2007 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · CA

My mechanic told me on 11/3/2007 that the wire harness on my 1993 mercedes 500 sel could cause fire or death to my family and that mercedes benz u.s.a. Knows about the faults in the wire harness and knows the people are in danger and have yet to do a recall on years (1992 through 1996) please help us get a recall in the wire harness before people get burnt or die these wires just fall apart and then touch each other and that is when the danger starts, this really is a serious and dangerous situation and we are asking for your help. Thank you!

Filed Aug 28, 2007 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NY

1993 mercedes benz 500sel wiring harness failure- insulation on wiring became brittle and began to fall off. Shorts in wiring lead to trouble lights coming on and needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 28, 2007 · Engine · FL

My 500e sedan was experiencing erratic throttle control and intermittent stalling while driving, thus placing me at risk of no control of the vehicle. *tr 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.

Filed Apr 4, 2007 · Electrical · 91,000 miles · IL

1993 mercedes benz 500e engine wiring harness insulation cannot stand up to the heat of the engine and loses its insulation, creating an engine malfunction and possible fire hazard.

Filed Aug 25, 2006 · Electrical · 198,788 miles · KY

Shorting in electrical systems causing failures of ignition and computer systems intermittently. Root cause analysis show that failure of the sheathing and materials of the wiring harnesses cause corruption of electrical circuits and require complete replacement of harnesses due to poor quality materials. Complete replacement of the wiring harnesses was completed in july of 2005.

Filed Aug 25, 2006 · Electrical · 230,040 miles · KY

Shorting in electrical systems causing failures of ignition and computer systems intermittently. Root cause analysis show that failure of the sheathing and materials of the wiring harnesses cause corruption of electrical circuits and require complete replacement of harnesses due to poor quality materials.

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Questions about the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500

Is the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500 reliable?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500, 2.0 times a typical 500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500?

Electrical system, with 16 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is acceleration (1).

How many recalls does the 1993 Mercedes Benz 500 have?

1 recall, covering visibility.

What year does the Mercedes Benz 500 have the most electrical problems?

The Mercedes Benz 500 model years with the most electrical complaints are 1993 (16 complaints) and 1992 (13 complaints).

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