Total Complaints
29 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS · model year
29 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995MERCEDES-BENZE CLASS carries 29 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 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 1995 E CLASS is electrical system:wiring:front underhood with 6 filings, followed by electrical system (6) and electrical system:wiring (4). 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 1995 E CLASS. 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
29 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
WIRING HARNESS HAS SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED BY OTHER OWNERS-STARTED WITH WIRING TO MAS MELTING. I REWIRED THAT-DROVE CAR ANOTHER YEAR WITH SMALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BLOWING FUSES WITHOUT FINDING CAUSE-DROVE CAR TO WORK ONE DAY,RAN FINE,CAME OUT TO GO HOME AND IT HAD A MISS. REMOVED COVER OVER INJECTORS AND FOUND ALL THE WIRING WAS BARE.THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MBS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
WIRING HARNESS HAS SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED BY OTHER OWNERS-STARTED WITH WIRING TO MAS MELTING. I REWIRED THAT-DROVE CAR ANOTHER YEAR WITH SMALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BLOWING FUSES WITHOUT FINDING CAUSE-DROVE CAR TO WORK ONE DAY,RAN FINE,CAME OUT TO GO HOME AND IT HAD A MISS. REMOVED COVER OVER INJECTORS AND FOUND ALL THE WIRING WAS BARE.THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MBS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
I HAVE MULTIPLE WIRING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. FAULTY TACHOMETER GOES ON AND OFF BY IT SELF. FAULTY AC WIRES ISOLATION IS DESTROYED, FAULTY GLOW PLUG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF BY IT SELF. THIS CAR HAS WIRING PROBLEMS LIKE MANY OTHER W124. *TR
Mileage: 180,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E420. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY FOR A FEW WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT NEEDED A SPARK PLUG HARNESS, SPARK PLUGS, A DISTRIBUTION CAP, ROTORS AND A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
ENGINE HARNESS AND ALTERNATOR HARNESS. ALTERNATOR HARNESS OVERHEATED DUE TO INSULATION ON WIRES COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. HARNESS WAS REPLACED BY EUROPEAN SERVICE AND TRANSMISSION, IN CUMMINGS, GEORGIA ON OCTOBER 22ND 2009. *TR
Mileage: 140,000
MAIN AND AUXILIARY WIRING HARNESSES PLASTIC WIRE COATING IS CRUMBLING OFF LEAVING THE COPPER WIRES EXPOSED AND PRONE TO SHORTS..MY VEHICLE GAUGES FOR THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE, ABS, AIR BAGS, TRACTION, AND THE LESSER IMPORTANT GAUGES ARE WORKING ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. MERCEDES USA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY WIRING RELATED PROBLEMS (OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS) FOR THE E SERIES 124 TYPE BODY VEHICLES BUT IT HAS AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF NEW AND IMPROVED HARNESSES THAT VARY IN PRICE FROM A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE THOUSANDS. *TR
Mileage: 229,000
MAIN AND AUXILIARY WIRING HARNESSES PLASTIC WIRE COATING IS CRUMBLING OFF LEAVING THE COPPER WIRES EXPOSED AND PRONE TO SHORTS..MY VEHICLE GAUGES FOR THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE, ABS, AIR BAGS, TRACTION, AND THE LESSER IMPORTANT GAUGES ARE WORKING ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. MERCEDES USA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY WIRING RELATED PROBLEMS (OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS) FOR THE E SERIES 124 TYPE BODY VEHICLES BUT IT HAS AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF NEW AND IMPROVED HARNESSES THAT VARY IN PRICE FROM A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE THOUSANDS. *TR
Mileage: 229,000
MAIN AND AUXILIARY WIRING HARNESSES PLASTIC WIRE COATING IS CRUMBLING OFF LEAVING THE COPPER WIRES EXPOSED AND PRONE TO SHORTS..MY VEHICLE GAUGES FOR THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE, ABS, AIR BAGS, TRACTION, AND THE LESSER IMPORTANT GAUGES ARE WORKING ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. MERCEDES USA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY WIRING RELATED PROBLEMS (OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS) FOR THE E SERIES 124 TYPE BODY VEHICLES BUT IT HAS AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF NEW AND IMPROVED HARNESSES THAT VARY IN PRICE FROM A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE THOUSANDS. *TR
Mileage: 229,000
MAIN AND AUXILIARY WIRING HARNESSES PLASTIC WIRE COATING IS CRUMBLING OFF LEAVING THE COPPER WIRES EXPOSED AND PRONE TO SHORTS..MY VEHICLE GAUGES FOR THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE, ABS, AIR BAGS, TRACTION, AND THE LESSER IMPORTANT GAUGES ARE WORKING ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. MERCEDES USA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY WIRING RELATED PROBLEMS (OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS) FOR THE E SERIES 124 TYPE BODY VEHICLES BUT IT HAS AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF NEW AND IMPROVED HARNESSES THAT VARY IN PRICE FROM A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE THOUSANDS. *TR
Mileage: 229,000
WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR I SMELT PLASTIC BURNING. I STOPPED THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD. I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE END CLOSE TO THE DASH. TOOK THE CAR TO SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THAT ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNED, BECAUSE OF INSULATION COVER FOR WIRING. WHEN I START TO INVESTIGATE FOR THE PART,THEY TOLD ME THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MERCEDES BENZ E 320 CLASS. I CHECK WITH INTERNET, MERCEDES BENZ CLUB I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS RECALL FOR 1992-1995 E CLASS, FOR:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING.WITH CAMPAIGN#95V031000. WHEN I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ U.S.A(1-800-367-6372. EXT:4620 AND EXT:7810 ). PERSON AT EXT:7810 TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL WITH CAMPAIGN# EXIST AND NHTSA OFFICE, GAVE ME A WRONG INFORMATION AND COMPLETELY FALSE. AND WHAT I GOT FROM THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ,THEY COMPLETELY DENY IF THERE IS ANY RECALL ISSUED AND JUST WISHED ME LUCK ! *TR
Mileage: 203,433
WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR I SMELT PLASTIC BURNING. I STOPPED THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD. I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE END CLOSE TO THE DASH. TOOK THE CAR TO SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THAT ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNED, BECAUSE OF INSULATION COVER FOR WIRING. WHEN I START TO INVESTIGATE FOR THE PART,THEY TOLD ME THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MERCEDES BENZ E 320 CLASS. I CHECK WITH INTERNET, MERCEDES BENZ CLUB I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS RECALL FOR 1992-1995 E CLASS, FOR:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING.WITH CAMPAIGN#95V031000. WHEN I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ U.S.A(1-800-367-6372. EXT:4620 AND EXT:7810 ). PERSON AT EXT:7810 TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL WITH CAMPAIGN# EXIST AND NHTSA OFFICE, GAVE ME A WRONG INFORMATION AND COMPLETELY FALSE. AND WHAT I GOT FROM THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ,THEY COMPLETELY DENY IF THERE IS ANY RECALL ISSUED AND JUST WISHED ME LUCK ! *TR
Mileage: 203,433
1. ERRATIC STEERING. 2.SECOND OCCURRENCE. 3.BEING REPLACED & OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
Mileage: 270,000
1. ERRATIC STEERING. 2.SECOND OCCURRENCE. 3.BEING REPLACED & OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
Mileage: 270,000
THE WIRE HARNESS IS CRACKED. A/C COMPRESSOR STOPPED, AND THAT MADE RELAYS BLEW OUT. *TR
Mileage: 155,104
AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM ON THE REPORTED DATE THE VACUUM PUMP OPERATING THE RIGHT REAR HEADREST TO MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E300D SPECIAL EDITION GOT STUCK OR THE RELAY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE PUMP TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY, BUILDING UP FRICTION AND CAUSING A FIRE THAT COMPLETELY BURNT THE INSIDE REAR SECTION OF MY VEHICLE. CAR WAS PARKED AND IGNITION WAS OFF AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. FIRE WAS REPORTED TO THE SANDY SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INVESTIGATED BY THEIR FIRE INVESTIGATOR. INSURANCE ADJUSTER ATTRIBUTED CAUSE OF FIRE TO FAILED VACUUM PUMP. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS AND I ALLOWED MY INSURER TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 246,196
AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM ON THE REPORTED DATE THE VACUUM PUMP OPERATING THE RIGHT REAR HEADREST TO MY 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E300D SPECIAL EDITION GOT STUCK OR THE RELAY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE PUMP TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY, BUILDING UP FRICTION AND CAUSING A FIRE THAT COMPLETELY BURNT THE INSIDE REAR SECTION OF MY VEHICLE. CAR WAS PARKED AND IGNITION WAS OFF AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. FIRE WAS REPORTED TO THE SANDY SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INVESTIGATED BY THEIR FIRE INVESTIGATOR. INSURANCE ADJUSTER ATTRIBUTED CAUSE OF FIRE TO FAILED VACUUM PUMP. CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS AND I ALLOWED MY INSURER TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 246,196
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, BUT IT CONTINUED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE. HE ARRIVED HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. DAYS AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT IT FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS PERTAINING TO HIS VIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE RECALL WAS REGARDING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT STATE. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT HE INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THE FAILURE HE EXPERIENCED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 187,000.
Mileage: 187,000
MY CAR EXPERIENCES HARD STARTS, ROUGH IDLING, POOR GEAR SHIFTING (AUTOMATIC), AND RANDOM STALLING IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ROADWAY ENVIRONMENTS. AFTER SYSTEMATICALLY TESTING AND ELIMINATING THE VEHICLES OTHER EQUIPMENT AS THE SOURCE, IT IS INCREDIBLY OBVIOUS THAT A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IS TO BLAME. WHAT MERCEDES HAS LAMELY DESCRIBED AS "ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY" WIRE INSULATION IS REALLY A LIFE THREATENING DEFECT THAT LEAVES BARE WIRES EXPOSED THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL SHORTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE, FIRES, ACCIDENTS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, PERSONAL INJURY AND DEATH. DOES THAT SOUND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY? IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TELL WHEN THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WILL FAIL BEFORE IT ACTUALLY BECOMES DANGEROUS. WE ARE ALL VERY LUCKY THAT THIS HASN'T KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED ANYONE YET. THIS DANGEROUS COMPONENT SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. *TR
Mileage: 243,155
WIRING HARNESS CRACKING, FLAKING OFF AND CRUMBLING. ENGINE TEMP SENDERS, GLOW PLUG WIRING, EGR AND OTHER UNIDENTIFIABLE WIRING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT DEFECTIVE. SP FAR HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL EASY TO REACH WIRES. *TR
Mileage: 147,600
NOTICEABLE HESITATION AND ROUGH IDLE ON MY MERCEDES E320 1994 WAGON. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS IS CRUMBLING AND WAS WELL KNOW FOR CARS 1991-1996 FOR THIS MODEL AND DEALERS HAVE HAD THE KNOWLEDGE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THIS PART WILL NEED REPLACING AT A COST OF APPROX. $1600.00 AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 1995. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE HARNESS IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR
Mileage: 112,153
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.