VehicleVerdict

1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1984 compare to other 190 years?

190 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1984 highlighted22 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 11 complaints1986: 12 complaints1987: 22 complaints1988: 10 complaints1989: 14 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 6 complaints1992: 8 complaints1993: 12 complaints1995: 4 complaints1997: 1 complaints1999: 6 complaints
190 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1984 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 190 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes125%
Other125%
Tires & Wheels125%
Visibility & Wipers125%

Does the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

91V137000BrakesAugust 20, 1991 · 96,541 units

Defect

THE DESIGN OF THE PARKING BRAKE GRIP MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO DISTORT THE GRIP AND PINCH THE BRAKE RELEASE KNOB. IF THE RELEASE KNOB STICKS IN A PARTIAL ENGAGE/RELEASE POSITION BECAUSE OF THE PINCHED GRIP, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE LEVER TO RELEASE UNINTENTIONALLY WITH A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN PARKING BRAKE FORCE.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT PROPERLY PARKED WITH THETRANSMISSION IN THE CORRECT POSITION, AND IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A GRADE,REDUCTION IN PARKING BRAKE FORCE COULD LEAD TO UNINTENTIONAL ROLLAWAY AND ANACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE GRIP WITH A NEW GRIP TYPE.

87V104000Electrical SystemJuly 13, 1987 · 65,196 units

Defect

IN CASE OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHICH BLOWS FUSE NO. 9, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE.

Consequence

TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROLWOULD NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED.

Remedy

USE TWO FUSES IN COMBINATION SO THAT IN CASE OF A FUSE FAILURE, THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WILL NOT OPERATE.

85V072000Tires & WheelsMay 28, 1985 · 6,384 units

Defect

WHEELS MAY DEVELOP HAIRLINE CRACKS IN THE AREA OF THE VENTILATION HOLES. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: RIMS MAY EVENTUALLY BREAK AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE RIMS AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE HEATER CORE IN THE VEHICLE RUPTURED, CAUSING BOILING HOT COOLANT TO POUR ONTO THE DRIVER'S FEET. THE BOILING COOLANT CAUSED SEVERE BURNS TO THE DRIVER'S FEET, ANKLES AND LEGS. THE ESCAPING COOLANT ALSO CAUSED THE CAR TO FIIL UP WITH STEAM AND ELLIMINATED VISIBILITY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 17, 1999

“APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FOOT PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 26, 2003 · crash

“AFTER THE USE OF THE PRODUCT " FIX - A - FLAT" THE TREATED TIRES SHOWED BUBBLES ON THE OUTER SIDE.ONE OF THOSE BUBBLES BUSTED OPEN WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. AT THE TIRE STORE THE STORE MANAGER WAS NOT SURPRISED, BECAUSE HE SAW THOSE SYMTOMS BEFORE AFTER THE PRODUCT WAS USED. I SEE THE PRODUCT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 27, 2002

“COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE, THE HEATER CORE IN THE VEHICLE FAILED, CAUSING HOT COOLANT TO COME INTO THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE, CAUSING BURNS TO DRIVER'S FEET. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 2, 1996

1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 — common questions

Is the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.