As most of you know, Mercedes has declined to own up to the engine wiring harness defect in the 1991-1996 model years, and issue a "goodwill" recall.

I just called MBUSA, and I am not *to say the least* satisfied by their response.

Following, is a list of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT (updated 6-19-2006) reported consumer complaints (and a number of FIRES..!) that I found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website concerning the chronic engine compartment wiring harness failure suffered by 1991 through 1996 Mercedes Benz automobiles.

This list is not--by any means--meant to be complete, as it only lists those reports that I was able to locate. Note that the first complaint on the list is mine:
http://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/mercedes-benz-1991-1996-engine-wiring-harness-defect

If your Mercedes has suffered from the same defect (and it will), please call MBUSA and ask to speak to a supervisor at MBUSA who claims to have NEVER heard of this problem:

1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)

In fact, as you read through the list, notice the arrogance by which the consumer is told this same lie, over and over, by MBUSA.

Click the link below to see hi-resolution images of two typical defective MB wiring harnesses (remarkable pics):
http://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/mercedes-benz-1991-1996-engine-wiring-harness-defect/images



Please file your own complaint with the NHTSA here, and be added to the list:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/


edited on 10-25-05 to include model year 1991 vehicles...
edited on 04-22-06 to include model year 1996 vehicles...


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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

<<
who claims to have NEVER heard of this problem
>>

MBUSA has never heard of a problem on Mercedes-Benz cars. They are so perfect. If you have a head gasket problem on M103 and M104 motors, you are th eonly one because they have never head from any other owners.

This bad atitude and poor customer service is really hurting the quality and reputation of the brand.

Many MB models are among the used cars to avoid in the annual Consermers Report car issue.

You are flogging a DEAD horse!

That reply is consistent from MB about that problem!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

It has been known that occasionally, even "dead" horses can be "flogged" to life! Keep after them, and then advise proper authorities. Consider small claims court in your area. good luck, Abe G

Absolutely.

This should have been a recall item, and, with perseverance, I believe will be. The local service manager told me that Mercedes did replace these up until two or three years ago, but suddenly stopped, with no explaination.

Today, I printed and mailed all 19 pages, some 60 collected complaints, back to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Office of Defect Investigation," as well as a link to the web page I made.

Trust me, I WILL get their attention. And with luck, I will find someone in the NHTSA, or the FTC, with the balls to go after MB.

Numbers are what will give this thing momentum, so if you are having an engine wiring harness problem (or did), you can file your own complaint with the NHTSA here, and be added to the list:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/


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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

There is a DIY article here on how to replace the wiring harness. It has step by step instructions and pictures. I can't recall for which engine it was. It seems like a fairly straight-forward thing to do, not any more difficult than changing plug wires.

My daughter's 300TE had some stalling issues. Enrique at Mr. M.B. MOTORS diagnosed the problem as a wiring harness issue. Before ordering a new wiring harness, Enrique took the time to check the wiring and was able to locate the culprit. Some wires were cahnged/re-routed and now the car runs great. We did not need to change the entire harness.

I know we all wish that MB would fix all of our cars' problems. But I have to tell you, I have owned many different brands of cars, it is hard to find a car built as solidly as the W124 or the W126 bodies (I have no experience with newer Benzes). My daughter's 300TE has 190k on the clock and it runs like a champ. Several years ago I sold my '84 300SD with over 300k on the clock, that car is still running strong. The new owners (family friends) still drive it on a daily basis and they love it. BTW, the husband is a German engineer and he loves diesels. I sold my '91 420SEL with almost 250K on the clock. That car is still running great. The new owner took care of the few problems that it had and she loves her "new" car.

By contrast, I now drive a 1999 Seville SLS. Talk about a POS. It has 48k miles and it has been in the family since it was new (it was Dad's car). Since October of last year it has had over $6k worth of tranny work. Fortunately for me, I bought an extended warranty, so all the repair bills have been paid for by GM. I, however, shudder to think what will happen when the extended warranty expires.

If you think that MB is cold and heartless towards its customers then try dealing with GM. The GM "customer care" center is the biggest joke in the world. For example, my highly touted Northstar engine, allegedly the best/greatest/finest engine ever made by GM (at least according to their own literature) consumes one quart of oil every 750 - 1k miles. It has been doing this since new.

When Northstars owners complain about the engine's thirst for oil, GM's reply is: 1. this is normal, 2. manufacturing tolerances (or lack thereof) cause some engines to consume more oil than other engines, 3. this is a "built-in" feature to make sure that there is always a supply of fresh oil in the engine or 4. we NEVER heard of this problem (I actually got that answer once).

Sure, it would be nice if Benz fixed the wiring harness problem, or if they took care of the cracking dashboards on some W123 or W126 cars or if they fixed the peeling clearcoats on some older Benzes. But try finding another car that will consistently give owners such driving pleasure and longevity of use and I am sure that you will find that no other car comes even close to Benz.

So enjoy what you have and thank God that you don't drive a Cadillac Seville. (BTW go to www.cadillacforums.com and see how even the much-touted new STS is full of problems. GM will NEVER get it right).

Enjoy.

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Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

Here's the letter I snail-mailed to the NHTSA along with the 19 pages of complaints. A similar letter (and link) was emailed to the FTC:


NHTSA
Office of Investigations
NSA-1001400
7Th Street SW
Washington DC 20590


July 11, 2005

Dear NHTSA:

Per our recent telephone conversation:

Mercedes-Benz Engine Wiring Harness Defect

Enclosed, please find a list of reported complaints that I found on your very own National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website concerning the chronic engine compartment wiring harness failure suffered by (at the least) 1992 through 1995 Mercedes Benz automobiles. This list is not, by any means, meant to be complete, as it only lists those reports that I was able to locate. Note that the first complaint on the list is mine.

I am outraged at Mercedes-Benz’ arrogant refusal to own up to, and take responsibility for, this extremely dangerous design and engineering defect. For the life of me (literally), I cannot understand why NHTSA has not investigated this dangerous situation, especially given the large number of complaints. I will not be satisfied with less than Mercedes’ immediate rectification.

http://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/mercedes-benz-1991-1996-engine-wiring-harness-defect

Sincerely,



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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

For those who believe the Mercedes Benz NA line of bull***** that time shields them from a defective parts recall, click the "New recall information since" button on the NHTSA below link and note the vehicle age of the most recent defect recall results toward the bottom of the page.

Also note the number of "Potential Number Of Units Affected" in each case (especially the Fords):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9241475/

This agrees with what the NHTSA told me some time ago, about there being, in no way, a "stautue of limitations" shield for Mercedes to hide behind.

That said, I'm still waiting to hear more from the NHTSA about our ongoing problems with the defective MB wiring harnesses:

MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1996 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINT SUMMARIES


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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

Well add me to this crusade.
I've contacted both the NHTSA and MB regarding this issue which indeed turned out to be safety related for myself. My 300e cut out while driving down the road and if it were to have happened on the highway, I might not be here posting this. This all happened last week, but only now has Joseph Leonardi from MB responded. I've also spoken to a regional rep via phone. They are, indeed, shrugging this off as an age related issue and therefore have no repsonsibility to cover any cost. I informed them of the several safety issues it could cause (including my own experience) and that the NHTSA has no statute of limitations on safety hazzards. We'll see where it goes from here. I have a CLK 430 which has been a gem, but am far more proud to drive my 93 300e. I wish MB would stand behind my older vehicle the way I do, and not only concern themselves with their newer stable (though I hear they could care less about them as well). I think once the CLK starts acting up its gone (better than dealing with the new breed of MB reps). I of course don't mind paying the higher repair costs, but not if it is a design flaw that could hurt my family. Best of luck to everyone in this.

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2004 Chrysler Crossfire

I think it is time for Mercedes to step up to the plate and take responsibility for these harnesses! Consumables??? What else are we going to find out is a consumable? How soon should I expect to replace my airbag and be sure it will still work? Where is the schedule in my manual for changing my wire harness? Had someone said something before I bought the car about changing the harness every 60,000-70,000 miles I might have passed over it. And guess what else... Between my dad and 2 brothers, we own 13 mercedes benz, (enough to start our own mercedes club) guess how many need harness replaced? 1 - mine and all the others are older and all run well and have never had a harness replacement! I wonder what the "consumable" schedule for those cars is! Way to go Mercedes!

I tried to file an on-line complaint using the link from Infoage1 and the website seems to have a flaw. It will ask what type of vehicle and the pull down gives only three choices, Buses..., Motorcycle, or Trailer. Finally, when the pro-forma complaint appears for review, the reason for the complaint, that was previously entered, goes missing. I'll try again tomorrow.

I guess you guys haven't heard the "normal wear and tear" excuse that MB is using to keep from having to admit guilt that they screwed up big time.Another thing..what is this story about the dealers were paying to replace the harnesses up until 3 years ago.Not in Dallas.The only owners getting any assistance were original buyers of the cars.No one else.When I approached both dealerships in Dallas about this issue I was told that since my SL320 was 10 years old and because I was the 2nd owner,that there was nothing MB could do.What has either one of these reasons got to do with defective,dangerous wiring harnesses.Unless a lawyer starts a class action lawsuit representing all owners of the 1992-1995 Mercedes cars,nothing will happen.BTW where is Ralph Nader when you need him? I have replaced 5 harnesses so far with defective insulation.The funny thing is that MB was more than willing to take my money for the new harnesses.But when you want customer service,everyone disappears.I recommend that every owner who has harness problems write to NHTS and put in a complaint.I did last month.Maybe after 1000 complaints the government will force a recall.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/defectsearch.cfm

A little update:

As of March 28, 2006, I had found, and snail-mailed, a total of 148 NHTSA wiring harness complaints to the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigations (ODI), in three separate mailings.

This is far above the the original 62 complaints I first mailed the NHTSA's ODI back in July of last year (which did indeed catch the collective attention of the ODI). Just today, I found and emailed to ODI an additional 15 complaints. So the new total is 163 registered complaints.

Included in today's newly found 15 complaints, was a 1996 "C Class" wiring harness complaint. This is the third 1996 complaint I have found (2 "C" Class, 1 "E" Class) ---so that makes a trend.

Late last year, I found enough 1991 model year complaints to include that year as well. I have sent this new information to ODI, and updated my web site as well:

MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1996 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINT SUMMARIES

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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

Some of the posts in this thread tell of MBUSA's customer service people saying they never heard of any problem with this or that. I contacted them last year about cracks in the top of my '98 E300's dashboard and yes, I was told the same thing...they never recall hearing of any complaints from any owners pertaining to cracked dashboard covers ever...imagine that, I am the first owner to tell them their plastic dash covers crack sometimes...

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I doubt if anyone will have any luck with the NTSB unless the wiring harness causes a fire or an accident (in other words, I hope no one will have any luck).

I don't buy the "normal wear and tear" defense on this. I can take cheapsh** wire from Radio Shack, bury it underground for 20 years, dig it up, wash it off, and it will look and work great. I routinely see wiring on cars 20-30 years old in the junkyards with hoods up that is flexible and looks completely usable.

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm