Mercedes Benz 300 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Mercedes Benz 300, across 6 model years (1995–2002). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (16). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Mercedes Benz 300 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 300 year: 1995. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 300: 16 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1996 300: 8 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 300: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mercedes Benz 300 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Power Train | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes Benz 300 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 300 | 3 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 300 | 6 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1998 300 | 2 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1997 300 | 5 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1996 300 | 8 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1995 300 | 16 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Mercedes Benz: all Mercedes Benz models · Mercedes Benz VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes Benz 300 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (16) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 300 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes Benz 300?
Electrical System, with 13 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz 300 have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.