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1985 Mercedes-Benz 380Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints71 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage195kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 1, 2009. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380 has problems

7 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control51
Structure20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1985 Mercedes-Benz 380 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other 380 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 380 median. How we score

'81'82'83'84'85'86
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONDP87019 · closed Oct 29, 1987
    No recall
  2. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88034 · closed Jul 31, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What 380 owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE TOOK OFF, CAUSING THE COSNUMER TO ALMOST HIT A TREE WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CONSUMER CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT TAKES OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED,AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Complaint 832526 · Feb 11, 1999
OWNER STATES THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE AND PLACING FOOT ON BRAKE THE ENGINE HAD VERY HIGH REVS WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, OWNER HIT A SIGN. DEALERS COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Complaint 809956 · Mar 13, 1997
CONSUMER STATES AFTER PRESSING THE ACCLERATOR, THE ENGINE RACED, THREW DRIVER FORWARD AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AT A HIGH SPEED. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE PARKED IN AN ADJACENT ROW. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL SECONDS BEFORE THE IMPACT BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO…
Complaint 567549 · Sep 20, 2002

Own a 1985 380?

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