Mercedes Benz 420 Problems by Year
Mercedes Benz 420 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 420 year: 1995, 1997. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 420: 22 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1995 420: 15 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 420: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
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 420 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mercedes Benz 420 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 420 | 5 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1997 420 | 22 | 0 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 420 | 1 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1995 420 | 15 | 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 420 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (15), 1997 (22) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 420 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 420?
Suspension, with 11 complaints across 1 model year.
How many recalls does the Mercedes Benz 420 have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.