The Mercedes-Benz 500 spans 1983–1993 with 8 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1993, 1992, 1991 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1983, 1984, 1985. It delivers up to 16 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Mercedes-Benz 500 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1983 to 1993 across multiple generations.
How to read a Mercedes-Benz 500 VIN — every digit explained
Every Mercedes-Benz 500 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Mercedes-Benz and the country it was built in (real Mercedes-Benz codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 500.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyW1H · W1K · W1N · W1W · W1Y · W1Z
- USA1MB · 4JG · 55S · WD0 · WD8 · WDW
- Argentina8BR · 8BT · 8BU
- Brazil9DB
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 500, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz 500 have?
The Mercedes-Benz 500 has 8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1983–1993. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 recalls 1
Visibility
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.
1992 Mercedes-Benz 500 recalls 2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
What's wrong. DURING THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE AIR FILTER HOUSING WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO MISROUTE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE AND DAMAGE THE CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE. IF THE CHECK VALVE IS DAMAGED, LOSS OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR.
Risk. LACK OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL INCREASESTOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix. REPLACE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PREFORMED HOSE WITH A RELOCATED CHECK VALVE WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CHECK VALVE BEING DAMAGED.
Visibility
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.
1991 Mercedes-Benz 500 recalls 2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
What's wrong. DURING THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE AIR FILTER HOUSING WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO MISROUTE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE AND DAMAGE THE CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE. IF THE CHECK VALVE IS DAMAGED, LOSS OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR.
Risk. LACK OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL INCREASESTOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix. REPLACE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PREFORMED HOSE WITH A RELOCATED CHECK VALVE WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CHECK VALVE BEING DAMAGED.
Visibility
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.
1990 Mercedes-Benz 500 recalls 3
Tires:sidewall
What's wrong. LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR TIRES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY A WORN CHAIN DRIVE OF THE CONVEYOR SYSTEM.
Risk. DAMAGED OR CUT TIRES COULD FAIL DURING USE AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITH POSSIBLE INJURIES.
Fix. REPLACE DAMAGED TIRES WITH TIRES OF THE SAME BRAND NAME.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
What's wrong. DURING THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE AIR FILTER HOUSING WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO MISROUTE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE AND DAMAGE THE CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE. IF THE CHECK VALVE IS DAMAGED, LOSS OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR.
Risk. LACK OF SUFFICIENT BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL INCREASESTOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix. REPLACE THE PREFORMED VACUUM HOSE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PREFORMED HOSE WITH A RELOCATED CHECK VALVE WHICH WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CHECK VALVE BEING DAMAGED.
Visibility
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.
Best and worst years for the Mercedes-Benz 500
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 11 tracked years, the worst years are 1993, 1992, 1991 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1983, 1984, 1985.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 500 | — | Best | |
| 1984 500 | — | Best | |
| 1985 500 | — | Best | |
| 1986 500 | — | Average | |
| 1987 500 | — | Average | |
| 1988 500 | — | Average | |
| 1989 500 | — | Average | |
| 1990 500 | — | Average | |
| 1991 500 | — | Avoid | |
| 1992 500 | — | Avoid | |
| 1993 500 | Electrical System | Avoid |
What are the most common Mercedes-Benz 500 problems?
The most-reported Mercedes-Benz 500 problems are Electrical System (1 reports) — out of 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Mercedes-Benz 500 specifications & dimensions
The 1990–1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 measures 176″ long on a 99″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,968 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Mercedes-Benz 500 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–1993 | 176″ | 71″ | 51″ | 99″ | 3,968 lb |
| 1983–1984 | 199″ | 72″ | 56″ | 112″ | 3,748 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Mercedes-Benz 500 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 500 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 112 cu ft of passenger volume and 16 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Mercedes-Benz 500 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Mercedes-Benz 500 get?
The Mercedes-Benz 500 returns up to 16 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,800/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 (5L 8-cyl) gets 16 mpg combined and costs about $4,800/yr to fuel, emitting 555 g/mi CO₂ — about $13,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 500 | 14 | 18 | $4,800 | 555 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1992 500 | 13 | 16 | $5,500 | 635 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1991 500 | 13 | 17 | $5,500 | 635 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1990 500 | 12 | 17 | $5,500 | 635 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1985 500 | 13 | 15 | $4,450 | 635 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1984 500 | 12 | 15 | $4,800 | 684 | — | 5L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 500 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 500's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Mercedes-Benz 500 have? Power & range
The Mercedes-Benz 500 is offered with 1 powertrain — 5L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz 500 cost to own?
A Mercedes-Benz 500 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 500 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $24,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 500 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Mercedes-Benz 500 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 500 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz 500 last?
A well-maintained Mercedes-Benz 500 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Mercedes-Benz 500’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 500’s VIN free →All Mercedes-Benz 500 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Mercedes-Benz 500 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 500 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1992 500 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1991 500 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1990 500 | 3 recalls | — | |
| 1989 500 | 0 | — | |
| 1988 500 | 0 | — | |
| 1987 500 | 0 | — | |
| 1986 500 | 0 | — | |
| 1985 500 | 0 | — | |
| 1984 500 | 0 | — | |
| 1983 500 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 500?
By owner-complaint volume, 1993, 1992, 1991 drew the most reports. 1983, 1984, 1985 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 500 have?
8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1983–1993. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Mercedes-Benz recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the 500 get?
Up to 16 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 500 last?
A well-maintained 500 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 500 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 500 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Mercedes-Benz 500 warranty?
New Mercedes-Benz models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Where is the Mercedes-Benz 500 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 500's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Mercedes-Benz may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a 500 weigh?
The 500's curb weight is around 3,968 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the 500 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.