Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Visibility1
- Power train1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Unknown or other1
- Fuel system, other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 diesel (53 kW, 71 hp) and 2.0 petrol (77 kW, 103 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 diesel | 53 kW 71 hp | 44 |
| 2.0 petrol | 77 kW 103 hp | 21 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
121 first registered in 1988 are on Dutch roads; 30% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld13
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde12
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen12
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af6
- Band onvoldoende profiel5
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse5
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar4
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)4
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
88 cars built in 1988 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 386 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
32 of these cars first registered in 1988 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 285,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
7 1988 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
THE DESIGN OF THE PARKING BRAKE GRIP MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO DISTORT THE GRIP AND PINCH THE BRAKE RELEASE KNOB. IF THE RELEASE KNOB STICKS IN A PARTIAL ENGAGE/RELEASE POSITION BECAUSE OF THE PINCHED GRIP, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE LEVER TO RELEASE UNINTENTIONALLY WITH A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN PARKING BRAKE FORCE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 601449 | UPDATED INFORMATION TO REFLECT ADDITON OF APPROVED TIRES. *YC |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation