1989 Mercedes Benz 420
Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 0
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
None on file
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1989: 2 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 3 |
| 1991 | 4 |
| 1994 | 16 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 22 |
| 1999 | 5 |
Known problem areas
Only 2 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Vehicle speed control
1 of 2 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.
Show complaint excerpts
Fron parked position, when vehicle put in gear, car lunged forward at high speed without engaging accelerator pedal. Break would not stop car.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-09-18
Engine and engine cooling
1 of 2 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline.
Show complaint excerpts
Plastic follower apparently ages independent of mileage. Piece on left head breaks off, follows timing chain over cam gear, left head then out of time fails catastophically bending or breaking all valves and sometimes pistons.
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-10-23
Safety timeline
No recalls on file for this model year.
0 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
Buy-smart checklist
1989 Mercedes Benz 420 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Vehicle speed control: 1 report on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 1 report on file for this year.
FAQ
- Is the 1989 Mercedes Benz 420 reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1989 Mercedes Benz 420?
- The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1989 Mercedes Benz 420 have?
- No recalls are on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.