The most-reported 500 run is WDBGA51E5NA (1992 builds) with 1 complaints, 1× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 67% of reports; NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for 500 model years 1990–1993.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz 500 has 2 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 100% of every 500 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDBGA51E5NA•••••• | 1992 | — | — | |
| WDBGA51EXPA•••••• | 1993 | — | — |
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 67% of everything Mercedes-Benz 500 owners report: Electrical System, 2 of 2 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Power Train | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 3 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz 500; the 3 below cover build years 1990 to 1993. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 96V175000 | Visibility | 1990–1993 |
| 93V067000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist | 1990–1992 |
| 90V062000 | Tires:sidewall | 1990 |
96V175000 was opened in 1996 on cars built from 1990: 6 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
| Outcome | Mercedes-Benz 500 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 0 (0%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 100% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz 500 share of that is 2 complaints over 2 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz 500 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2 NHTSA complaints from 2 500 runs and 3 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which 500 production run has the most complaints?
WDBGA51E5NA, a 1992 build, with 1 complaints. The typical 500 run has 1.
How many 500 complaints involve a crash?
0% of 2 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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