1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

• Air bags4
• Power train2
• Fuel system, gasoline2
• Seats2
• Steering1
• Seat belts1
• Suspension1
• Wheels1
• Tires1
• Vehicle speed control1

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported

Compared with other years

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Engines

The most common engines in 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E cars on Dutch roads are the 3.0 petrol (132 kW, 177 hp), 3.0 petrol (140 kW, 188 hp) and 2.9 petrol (132 kW, 177 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.

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

210 first registered in 1986 are on Dutch roads; 93% arrived later as imports.

Most common APK defects

• Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen36
• Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm34
• Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde31
• Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af20
• Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld15
• Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm13
• Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af10
• Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij10

Colours

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording

In New Zealand

10 1986 cars are on the New Zealand register; 20% arrived as used imports, 70% were sold new in New Zealand.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

Recalls

No recall campaigns cover the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300E.

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

NHTSA investigations

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation