Model year record

1993 MERCEDES BENZ 500

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 23 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V175000

Visibility

Component
Visibility
Manufacturer
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
28,874
Reported to NHTSA
1996-09-19
Owners notified
1996-11-15

Defect description

IF ONE OF THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARMS BECOMES MISALIGNED, THE WIPER BALDE CAN LODGE IN THE GROOVE UNDER THE HEADLAMP. IF THE WASHERS ARE ACTIVATED WITH THE WIPER BLADE IN THE MISALIGNED AND LODGED POSITION, THE WASHER PUMP WILL RUN CONTINUOUSLY EXPELLING ALL AVAILABLE FLUID.

Safety risk

PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood8100,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring574,000 mi
Electrical system389,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Unknown or other180,455 mi
Vehicle speed control1

The 1992 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1994 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.