The 1994 Mercedes-Benz 500 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 28,874 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY96V1750001996-09-1928,874 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I was driving down the road while my car (1994 mercedes s500)started to smoke a great deal. When I was able to pull off I was stranded for 6 hours until I could get a tow truck. After spending $2000.00 dollars to get fixed it was brought to my attention that the problem that caused all of this to…”
“Engine wiring harness covering material on both my 1994 mb e500's has deteriorated causing shorts between wires, engine miss-firing, habitual "check engine" light being on, etc. Have discussed issue with knowledgeable mb mechanics and this is a known problem on 1991 --> 1996 mb's. Obviously the…”
“Engine wiring harness covering material on both my 1994 mb e500's has deteriorated causing shorts between wires, engine miss-firing, habitual "check engine" light being on, etc. Have discussed issue with knowledgeable mb mechanics and this is a known problem on 1991 --> 1996 mb's. Obviously the…”
“Engine wiring harness failure. *tr”
“Consumer complaint: odi case number: 10137365 component: electrical system:wiring:front underhood details: insulation on electrical wiring crumbles to dust, resulting in shorts, damaged electronics, engine stalling, abs failure, etc. It appears mbz used defective insulation on the electrical wires…”
“While driving 35 mph, the vehicle asr sensor light comes on. As a result the vehicle would stall. The cause has yet to be determined. Please provide additional information. *ph dealer wouldn't help. *ph”
“Complaint regarding international fraud and harassment practices involving mercedes benz.*mr the consumer stated the vehicle had just over 31,000 miles on the vehicle, when it started to odometer and electrical computer switch problems. The consumer was told my a mercedes benz mechanic that the…”
“Complaint regarding international fraud and harassment practices involving mercedes benz.*mr the consumer stated the vehicle had just over 31,000 miles on the vehicle, when it started to odometer and electrical computer switch problems. The consumer was told my a mercedes benz mechanic that the…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 Mercedes-Benz 500 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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