Total Complaints
9 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ 420 · model year
1986 MERCEDES-BENZ 420
9 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986MERCEDES-BENZ420 carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 1986 420 is vehicle speed control with 1 filings, followed by suspension:rear (1) and vehicle speed control:linkages (1). 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 1986 420. 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.
9
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 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 | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20010613STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
MECHANIC WAS GOING TO SERVICE ENGINE WHEN HE PUSHED HOOD OFF. HOOD FLEW OFF AND BROKE WINDSHIELD, AND CHIPPED THE PAINT. HINGE SPRING WAS DETACHED FROM RIGHT SIDE OF HOOD. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
20001219TIRES:TREAD/BELT
BRIDGESTONE TIRES (P205 65 R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY TIRES. *SLC
19990924FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING THEIR IS A GASOLINE SMELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE, THE ANTENNA IS BROKEN, BRAKE LIGHTAND THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED AND THEIR IS A HOLE WITHIN THE GAS TANK. MJS
19990924EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING THEIR IS A GASOLINE SMELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE, THE ANTENNA IS BROKEN, BRAKE LIGHTAND THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED AND THEIR IS A HOLE WITHIN THE GAS TANK. MJS
19990924EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING THEIR IS A GASOLINE SMELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE, THE ANTENNA IS BROKEN, BRAKE LIGHTAND THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED AND THEIR IS A HOLE WITHIN THE GAS TANK. MJS
19990924EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING THEIR IS A GASOLINE SMELL WITHIN THE VEHICLE, THE ANTENNA IS BROKEN, BRAKE LIGHTAND THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED AND THEIR IS A HOLE WITHIN THE GAS TANK. MJS
19990317CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
GOT IN THE VEHICLE, STARTED THE IGNITION, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED DURING 80 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT. VEHICLE KEPT SPINNING AROUND AND AROUND AND SLAMMED AGAINST THE CURB AND BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH AGAINST THE CURB. ALSO, WHEEL CAME OFF AND VEHICLE ENDED UP IN CONSUMER'S YARD BETWEEN AN OAK TREE AND A TELEPHONE POLE. *AK
19990217SUSPENSION:REAR
RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH. NO OTHER SUBFRAME CORROSION VISIBLE.
19950718CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT A LIGHT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Compare 1986MERCEDES-BENZ420 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 MERCEDES-BENZ 420 have?▼
The 1986 MERCEDES-BENZ 420 has 9 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 MERCEDES-BENZ 420?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 MERCEDES-BENZ 420 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:REAR and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES.
Is the 1986 MERCEDES-BENZ 420 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.