The 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 28,874 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“I was driving down the street when smoke began to come from beneath the hood and into the vehicle. I pulled over and opened the hood and saw flames coming out from underneath the battery compartment. After extinguishing the fire the car no longer started. Upon inspection all of the electrical…”
“While driving my battery light comes on. I have replaced my battery twice in a 2-year period. Initially, my car wouldn't start. I was told that even while my car was off, something was consantly running causing my battery to fail. I had my new battery replaced and my inignition check and things…”
“While driving on highway, I slowed to turn off highway. After completing turn tried to accelerate but engine would not accelerate. Was able to move the car off roadway at idle rpm only. Car towed to local shop. A plastic piece on the end of the accelerator cable had disintegrated causing the…”
“Wiring harness is exposed outside of hood area. Dealership is aware of problem. *ak consumer stated that insulation is cracking and falling off all wiring around the engine. *yd”
“This is the second 1992 300sd that I know of that has had the same failure, in the related case mbz replaced the entire engine due to failed head gasket and crankshaft being too soft, or not strong enough, but they refuse to help us, he other case was an acquaintance from conneticut”
“There are multiple models of the same car that have the same failure, please issue a recall asap, this is not an isolated incedent. No safety defect mentioned. *ak”
“Front pads replaced every 10000 miles and rotors every 20000 miles. *ak”
“Independent repair shop mechanic is reporting an overheated resistor from the cooling fan which may cause a fire under the hood. Dealer was not contacted at this time. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.