1993 Mercedes Benz 400e recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. HIGH AMBIENT ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURES ARE EXPERIENCED AFTER THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AND THEN PARKED. IF THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED A SHORT TIME LATER AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER IS SATURATED WITH FUEL, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FUEL VAPOR MAY BE EXPELLED THROUGH THE INLET VENT LINE OF THE CANISTER ONTO THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY RADIATOR FAN PRERESISTOR.
What could happen: UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY RADIATOR FAN PRERESISTOR BECOMES HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE FUEL EXPELLED FROM THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE FUEL VAPOR CANISTER VENT LINE AWAY FROM THE ELECTRIC FAN PRERESISTOR. IN ADDITION, THE PRERESISTOR WILL HAVE A LARGER HEAT SHIELD AND A FUSED WIRING HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 400E.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V004000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Summary: HIGH AMBIENT ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURES ARE EXPERIENCED AFTER THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AND THEN PARKED. IF THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED A SHORT TIME LATER AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER IS SATURATED WITH FUEL, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FUEL VAPOR MAY BE EXPELLED THROUGH THE INLET VENT LINE OF THE CANISTER ONTO THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY RADIATOR FAN PRERESISTOR.
Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY RADIATOR FAN PRERESISTOR BECOMES HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE FUEL EXPELLED FROM THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE FUEL VAPOR CANISTER VENT LINE AWAY FROM THE ELECTRIC FAN PRERESISTOR. IN ADDITION, THE PRERESISTOR WILL HAVE A LARGER HEAT SHIELD AND A FUSED WIRING HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED.
Notes: SYSTEM: EXHAUST/CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES .VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ SERVICE CENTER AT 1-201-573-2616. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1993 Mercedes Benz 400e owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (14), Engine (4), Vehicle Speed Control (2), Unknown Or Other (1), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/24/2016 · Electrical system
PARKED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED IT IN PARK THEN TURNED IGNITION OFF. BURNING SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE THEN SMOKE STARTED GOING IN THROUGH VENTS AND SEEMED LIKED IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS IS CREATING MASS AND THE CAR NEARLY WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND WERENT ABLE TO PUT OUT THE SMOKE AS THE SOURCE O…
03/04/2015 · Engine
THE FUEL INJECTION ENGINE HARNESS WIRING HAS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED DUE TO THE USE OF A BIO DEGRADABLE MATERIAL BY MERCEDES BENZ. HAS RESULTED IN A LOT OF SHORTING ISSUES, WHICH RESULTED IN AIR CONDITIONING TURNING OFF, FAN CONTROL OFF, ENGINE HEATING UP, BLUE AND BLACK SMOKE, AND NOW SMOG FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO MERCEDES AND THEY NEED TO FIX…
08/04/2014 · Electrical system · fire
WIRING CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO FAULTY WIRING HARNESS INSULATION, WHICH IS WELL DOCUMENTED. YET, MERCEDES REFUSES TO RESOLVE/RECALL THIS ISSUE. WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
11/12/2012 · Electrical system
FAULTY WIRING IN ENGINE HARNESS RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER AT SPEED ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE, LUCKILY AT THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR'S CHARGING SYSTEM HAD BEEN SHORTED OUT. STILL WAITING ON OTHER SYSTEM TESTS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN MERCEDES. WHY ISN'T ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR
02/13/2010 · Electrical system
I OWN A 1993 400E MERCEDES. RECENTLY IT HAS HAD MAJOR DIFFICULTY TURNING OVER. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOLD ME IT THE ENGINE HARNESS HAS GONE BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS MERCEDES USED SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS WHEN BUILDING THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS CAUSES M…
02/02/2009 · Electrical system
WIRING HARNESS ON MERCEDES BENZ 400E FAILED AND ENTERED A LOW POWER BACKUP MODE ON THE HIGHWAY FAR AWAY FROM OUR RESIDENCE. WIRING HARNESS IS CHARRED AND HARNESS SHORTED OUT ON ENGINE. *TR
08/02/2008 · Electrical system
MERCEDES 400 E HAS A TERRIBLE WIRE HARNESS DRY ROTTED FROM TEMPERATURE FROM ENGINE. *TR
01/10/2007 · Electrical system
THE WIRE HARNESS IS CRACKED AND ROTTEN. THE MOTOR DOES NOT RUN RIGHT. IT STALLS AND CUTS OUT. THE MECHANIC SAYS TO JUST GIVE HIM $1000.00 FOR A TEMP. FIX DUE TO THE MATERIALS USED IN THE REPLACEMENT HARNESS. *JB