NHTSA Data Explorer
Mercedes-Benz 420SEL
Data refreshed October 26, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Mercedes-Benz 420SEL.
Complaints
12
Active records
Recalls
1
Active records
TSBs
4
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Top reported issues — Mercedes-Benz 420SEL
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Safety restraint issue
Fluid issue
Noise
Operating state
Ride/handling behavior
Safety restraint behavior
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
1990 MERCEDES BENZ 420
Filed Nov 9, 2005
NO TETHER ANCHORAGES ARE PRESENT ON THIS VEHICLE AND NO TETHER ANCHORAGES HAVE EVER BEEN PRESENT ON THIS VEHICLE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND MBNA SERVICE BULLETINS STATE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH TETHER ANCHORAGES FOR USE WITH CHILD RESTRAINTS THAT HAVE A TOP TETHER STRAP. TETHER ANCHORAGES ARE NEEDED TO PROPERLY ATTACH MY FORWARD-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT. MERCEDES-BENZ-USA AND MERCEDES-BENZ OF EUGENE, OR STATE THAT THIS VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH THE TETHER ANCHORAGES. …
1990 MERCEDES BENZ 420
Filed Oct 31, 2005
ON OCT. 20, 2005, I ASKED MERCEDES BENZ OF USA AND MERCEDES BENZ OF EUGENE(OR), TO SHOW/TELL ME SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE TETHER ANCHORS ARE IN MY 1990 420 SEL MERCEDES. ALSO,ON OCT. 21, 2005, I FILED A SIMILAR COMPLAINT, BY EMAIL, AT THIS SITE OF NHTSA. TO DATE, I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM MBNA OF USA. ALSO, MB OF EUGENE HAS NOT, APPARENTLY, BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET OR ATTACH THE ANCHORS THAT ARE TO HAVE BEEN ALREADY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. MY…
1990 MERCEDES BENZ 420
Filed Oct 21, 2005
THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR MY 1990 420 SEL, ON PAGE 46, STATES:THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH TETHER ANCHORAGES FOR USE WITH CHILD RESTRAINTS THAT HAVE A TOP TETHER STRAP. CONSULT YOUR AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER FOR THE EXACT LOCATION OF THESE ANCHORAGES. AFTER REPEATED PHONE CALLS, EMAILS AND FAXES AND A VISIT TO THE DEALER, NEITHER THE EUGENE DEALER, MERCEDES BENZ OF EUGENE, OR THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF USA, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TELL/SHOW ME THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE ANCHORAGES. ALSO, THE SERVICE…
1991 MERCEDES BENZ 420
Filed Mar 31, 2005
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN FRONT END COLLISION WITH HIS 1991 MERCEDES BENZ 420 SEL. **NAR*** *NM *SC *JB
1991 MERCEDES BENZ MERCEDES BENZ
Filed Apr 8, 2003
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SLIPPING TRANSMISSION, EXHAUST NOISE AND FUEL LEAK. *AK
1991 MERCEDES BENZ 420
Filed Oct 1, 1999
NO SUMMARY.
1991 MERCEDES BENZ 420
Filed May 4, 1999
NO SUMMARY
1991 MERCEDES BENZ MERCEDES BENZ
Filed Feb 26, 1999
LEAK IN THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO PISTONS AND CYLINDER WALL.
1991 MERCEDES BENZ MERCEDES BENZ
Filed Dec 26, 1998
WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE FREEWAY (CRUISE CONTROL IS OFF) ... CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATE OF ITS OWN ACCORD. WHILE BRAKING AIDED SLIGHTLY IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED UNTIL THE CAR WAS PLACED INTO NUETRAL.
1991 MERCEDES BENZ MERCEDES BENZ
Filed Oct 20, 1998
RADIATOR FAILED, BROKE AT NECK WHERE CLAMPED TO THE FIRST HOSE.