Total Complaints
13 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ 600 · model year
13 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994MERCEDES-BENZ600 carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 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 1994 600 is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by electrical system:wiring (2) and fuel system, gasoline (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 1994 600. 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.
Total Complaints
13 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
DETERIORATED INSULATION ON ETA HARNESS AND STATING HARNESS CAUSED ELECTRICAL SHORT. VEHICLE TO STALLED ON THE BUSY ROAD. MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ONE OF THE ETA'S HAS BEEN ALREADY REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME INSULATION ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 80,000
THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND THIS MAJOR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
Mileage: 90,000
THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND THIS MAJOR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
Mileage: 90,000
THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAR HAVE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES DETERIORATE PREMATURELY ALLOWING THE WIRES TO SHORT OUT AND AFFECT AND HARM MOST OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THE ASR, & SRS SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE OCCASIONALLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND THIS MAJOR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
Mileage: 90,000
THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS AS A RESULT OF THE WELL KNOWN MERCEDES WIRING HARNESS DEFECT (WHICH AFFECTS THE MAIN ENGINE WIRE HARNESS, ANOTHER SOURCE OF DANGER AND CAUSE OF MANY ACCIDENTS). THE WIRES' INSULATION OF THE INTERNAL WIRES PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED AND TURNED TO DUST. THIS CAUSED MULTIPLE SHORTS AND THE UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A 400HP VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT IT TURNED LITERALLY INTO A KILLING MACHINE. THE VEHICLE HAS UNDER 50,0
Mileage: 49,000
THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS AS A RESULT OF THE WELL KNOWN MERCEDES WIRING HARNESS DEFECT (WHICH AFFECTS THE MAIN ENGINE WIRE HARNESS, ANOTHER SOURCE OF DANGER AND CAUSE OF MANY ACCIDENTS). THE WIRES' INSULATION OF THE INTERNAL WIRES PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED AND TURNED TO DUST. THIS CAUSED MULTIPLE SHORTS AND THE UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A 400HP VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT IT TURNED LITERALLY INTO A KILLING MACHINE. THE VEHICLE HAS UNDER 50,0
Mileage: 49,000
THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS AS A RESULT OF THE WELL KNOWN MERCEDES WIRING HARNESS DEFECT (WHICH AFFECTS THE MAIN ENGINE WIRE HARNESS, ANOTHER SOURCE OF DANGER AND CAUSE OF MANY ACCIDENTS). THE WIRES' INSULATION OF THE INTERNAL WIRES PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED AND TURNED TO DUST. THIS CAUSED MULTIPLE SHORTS AND THE UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A 400HP VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT IT TURNED LITERALLY INTO A KILLING MACHINE. THE VEHICLE HAS UNDER 50,0
Mileage: 49,000
THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DEVELOPED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY CHILD WHO WAS PLAYING NEARBY AND I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE FOR A WASH. ONE MOMENT THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE, THE NEXT IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES TO A HIGH RPM, EVEN BURNING TIRES IN THE PROCESS.AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR ("ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR" "THROTTLE BODY") WIRING HARNESS HAD MULTIPLE SHORT CIRCUITS AS A RESULT OF THE WELL KNOWN MERCEDES WIRING HARNESS DEFECT (WHICH AFFECTS THE MAIN ENGINE WIRE HARNESS, ANOTHER SOURCE OF DANGER AND CAUSE OF MANY ACCIDENTS). THE WIRES' INSULATION OF THE INTERNAL WIRES PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED AND TURNED TO DUST. THIS CAUSED MULTIPLE SHORTS AND THE UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A 400HP VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT IT TURNED LITERALLY INTO A KILLING MACHINE. THE VEHICLE HAS UNDER 50,0
Mileage: 49,000
I BOUGHT A CAR ON EBAY, THE OWNER DECLARED THE CAR WAS FINE AND I PROCEEDED WITH THE SALE. I DROVE UP TO PA. TO PICK THE CAR UP AND THE GENTLEMAN SAID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS SOON AS HE STARTED IT THAT MORNING. WE THEN WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A O2 SENSOR, AND QUOTED ME $200,00 INSTALLED. I DECLINED AND BROUGHT THE CAR HOME TO HAVE MY OWN PEOPLE WORK ON THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY TOLD ME THE WIRING HARNESS WAS SHOT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. $2,000.00. I TOLD THE SELLER AND HE SAID TOO BAD FOR YOU, NO I HAVE A CAR I CANNOT DRIVE AS IT REEKS OF GAS AND STALLS OUT WHEN I PUT THE GAS ON. I AM DEVASTATED TO FIND OUT THAT MERCEDES HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT HELPING PEOPLE SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I OWN A RUSTING PIECE OF GARBAGE I CANNOT DRIVE AS I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS. NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN INCURRED AS THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR
Mileage: 110,000
COOLING SYSTEM LINK, DIAGNOSED TO BE A 4 WAY HEATER HOSE CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNTS ON THE FIREWALL OF MY 1994 S600. INTAKE MANIFOLD MUST BE TAKEN OFF WHICH HAD A WIRING HARNESS LEADING THREW IT WHICH IN TURN CRUMBLED AND FUSED TOGETHER WHICH LEAD TO MULTIPLE ISSUES AND DAMAGE TO MANY DIFFERENT COMPONENTS AND PARTS. AFTER THE COOLANT LEAK WAS FIXED THE CAR NEVER RAN THE SAME. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS AT AN OFFICIAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP RESULTED IN MULTIPLE WIRE HARNESSES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONENTS BEING DAMAGED IN THE PROCESS AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED THE DOLLAR FIGURE AS OF 8/12/2008 $42,000 AND AS OF TODAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR DIAGNOSED AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MERCEDES SERVICE EMPLOYEES THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT AND IS A TYPICAL FAILURE ON 91-96 MERCEDES BENZ (ALL MODELS) INCLUDING THE V-12 S600 THAT I OWN. WE HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION, RECORDS AND RECEIPTS OF ALL REPAIRS AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS COMPL
Mileage: 79,000
I OWN A 1994 MERCEDES S600, 12 CYLINDER COUPE. THE CAR LISTED FOR $135,000 AND CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 88,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND HAS BEEN SERVICED EXACTLY TO MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED SCHEDULE AND ALWAYS BE AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I WAS RECENTLY ADVISED BY A SERVICE MANAGER AT MERCEDES IN NASHVILLE THAT RECENT PROBLEMS WITH HANDLING AND TROUBLE LIGHTS WERE BEING CAUSED BY FAULTY WIRING INSULATION WHICH IS WELL KNOWN BY THIS DEALER AND ALSO BY MERCEDES .. I WAS ADVISED BY THE NASHVILLE DEALER THAT TO REPAIR THE CAR WOULD COST $14,000. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND THE WIRING OR TO OFFER ANY FINANCIAL HELP TO REPAIR IT. I INVESTIGATED THIS MATTER ON THE INTERNET AND WAS ASTONISHED TO FIND THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT MANY FIRES AND ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. THIS DEFECT IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND WIDESPREAD. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE THE NECES
Mileage: 82,500
I PURCHASED A 1994 SL600 ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHICH HAD ONLY 56,000 MI ON IT. IT WAS SOLD TO ME AS A LIKE NEW AUTO. WELL, IT IS FAR FROM LIKE NEW BUT THE PROBLEM I WILL MENTION TO YOU IS THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH HAS VIRTUALLY DISINTEGRATED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXORBITANT PRICE. THE DISINTEGRATING WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUSED ME ENORMOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR,NOT TO MENTION THE LIKELIHOOD OF BEING A FIRE HAZARD. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES 91-96 MODELS AND I WANT TO ADD MY NAME TO THE LISTS OF COMPLAINTS. *JB
Mileage: 56,000
VEHICLE HAS HAD VARIOUS ANOMALIES OCCURRING OVER SEVERAL MONTHS INVOLVING ENGINE SPUTTERING AND ABUNDANT SMOKE FROM ENGINE. NUMEROUS SERVICE ATTEMPTS DID NOT RESOLVE PROBLEM AS ALL CLUES WERE INTERMITTENT. WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH FOR "CHECK ENGINE" "SRS" "ASR" AND OTHERS WOULD APPEAR CERTAIN TIMES UPON IGNITION, WHILE OTHERS APPEAR NEXT TIME. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START BUT NOT MAINTAIN IDLE INDEPENDENT OF APPLYING ACCELERATOR, AND THEN ONLY TRAVEL AT A MAX SPEED OF 20 MPH AT 3000 RPM. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT DETERIORATED ENGINE HARNESS EXPOSING HV WIRES HAD DAMAGED THE LEFT AND RIGHT THROTTLE CONTROL AND THE EFP CONTROL UNIT. THE TIGHT GROUPED VOLUME OF WIRES WERE DECAYED, CHECKED, OR POWDERIZED THROUGHOUT ITS ENTIRETY, AND COUPLED WITH NOW SHORTED-OUT DAMAGED COMPONENTS, CAUSED THE SMOKING AND SPUTTERING... A RECIPE FOR FIRE. AND FIRE IS EXACTLY WHAT'S OCCURRED TO THE MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME SORT OF DECAYED WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM THAT I'VE ONLY NOW LEARNED
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.