Total Complaints
14 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ 190 · model year
1989 MERCEDES-BENZ 190
14 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989MERCEDES-BENZ190 carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 190 is vehicle speed control with 2 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (2) and visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:heater core (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 1989 190. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
14
Complaints
4
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20120519FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Mileage: 288,000
20120519FireVISIBILITY/WIPER
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Mileage: 288,000
20120519FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING
UPON STARTING THE CAR, FIRST SMOKE AND THEN QUICKLY FIRE EMERGED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BOARD WITH FLAMES COMING THROUGH THE GLOVE BOX COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO VERIFY THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. PHOTOS OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Mileage: 288,000
20050408VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HOT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE DRIVER'S RIGHT LEG WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURN. VEHICLE WAS TOW TO THE DEALER, AND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK THE HEAT WAS ON WHEN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO STEAM UP. THE HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING HOT ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE CONSUMER'S RIGHT LEG. *BF *NM
Mileage: 122,000
20040505VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL (3+) OCCASIONS THAT MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I HAVE BEEN FORNTUNATE THAT WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES IT RELEASED THE ACCELERATION.*AK
20010307VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
ON OCTOBER 03,1999 THE HEATHER CORE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR WARNING EXPLODED CAUSIG 3RD AND 4TH DEGREE BURNS IN BOTH LEGS CAUSING TO LOSSE CONTROL OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND GOING INTO THE DITCH. THI ACCIDENT CAUSE ME TO LOSE ALMOST MY LIFE FOR WICH I AM VERY ENGRY. I HAVE DONE SOME RESERCH AND FOUND THAT MERCEDES KNEW ALL ALONG OF THIS DEFECT A YEAR PRIOR IF NO MORE AND FAIL TO RECALL OR ADVICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN 6,000 AUTOMOBILES HAD REPORTED ACCIDENT WORLDWIDE AND SOME HAD BEEN REPORTED CRASHES AND LOSS OF LIFE. INCLUDING THE MERCEDES BENZ THAT DIANA PRINCES OF WALES WAS KILL WHICH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT COINSIDENTIALLY IT WAS FOUND THAT THE HEATHER CORE EXPLODED AS WELL.*AK
19980211FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FUEL PRESSURE ACTUATOR IS LEAKING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
19971210AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
SRS LIGHT COMES ON DURING START UP AND STAYS ON. AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. *AK
19961223VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT CLEAN THE WINDOW OFF FUMES REMAIN ON THE WINDSHEILD, CAUSING A VISION PROBLEM. *AK
19960819POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN CAR IS IN ANY POSITION YOU CAN TAKE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH , THERE IS NO LOCK ON THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IT IS IN PARK . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
19960410CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR ACCELERATED AND DROVE THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
19960229CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG. TT
19960229CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG. TT
19950118CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. TT
Compare 1989MERCEDES-BENZ190 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 MERCEDES-BENZ 190 have?▼
The 1989 MERCEDES-BENZ 190 has 14 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 MERCEDES-BENZ 190?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 MERCEDES-BENZ 190 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE.
Is the 1989 MERCEDES-BENZ 190 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.