1986 Mercedes-Benz 300e Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300e. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
5injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
2
AIR BAGS
1
1injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
1
4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
1
1crashes
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1
4injuries
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
1
Total complaints19

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“I just experienced my 4th fuel tank fracture over 5 years. The fractures occur in the surface of the tank not caused by wear of any sort. They just spontaneously occur. The tank is completely factory installed in the trunk of the car this allows fumes to enter the entire car. This is a very…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · reported 2006-01-04

“I have experienced hairline crack failures in three (3) separate fuel tanks placed into my 1986 mercedes 300e 4 door sedan over 6 years. These cracks never allowed liquid to escape, but fumes did repeatedly emit into the car trunk and passenger cabin. After being in place for 9 months the 3rd tank…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · reported 2005-08-10

“Sudden acceleration syndrome. I believe I eliminated this problem by disconnecting the cruise control amp located under the dash board by unplugging cable attached to the unit. Was able to replicate the problem by reconnecting the attached cable. Believe cruise control systems design defective. At…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2005-01-01

“Blowout, with 4/32 tread left, of schwab z800 ultra radial with 100,000 mile warranty, at approx 50,200 miles, occurred as driving at normal speed on freeway with no impact or prior damage to tire. 11/27/2004. Tires purchased 6/29/99 as pair. Rotated and kept properly inflated, wheels aligned. On…”

TIRES · reported 2004-11-27

“Right front wheel became separated at the ball joint and the tie rod broke off causing wheel to become loose. (ohio state police report).”

WHEELS · reported 1998-08-17

“Right front wheel became separated at the ball joint and the tie rod broke off causing wheel to become loose. (ohio state police report).”

STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING · reported 1998-08-17

“While driving vehicle on highway without impact airbag had deployed almost causing an accident. *ak *jb”

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · reported 1996-10-02

“False deployment of air bag resulting in injuries (burns) to face and chest and damages to vehicle.”

AIR BAGS · reported 1996-10-02

Defect investigations

Investigation PE87001 Opened 1986-10-02 · closed 1987-01-14

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA(MBNA) REPORTED AN ADDITIONAL 4 CASES OF ALLEGED SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THESUBJECT VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THOSE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO NHTSA.ALLCASES WERE INVESTIGATED BY MBNA REPRESENTATIVES, AND NO TRENDS OR NOTABLESIMILARITIES WERE FOUND IN…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300e as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.