1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E: 2 recalls, 19 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #92V083000 · 1992 · 845 vehicles
What's wrong: The plastic brake hydraulic hose from the automatic slip control unit was misrouted too close to the pre-resistor for the electric auxiliary engine cooling fan which becomes hot under certain conditions. This could cause the hose to melt and leak brake fluid onto the hot pre-resistor.
Why it matters: Brake fluid can catch on fire when it contacts the hotpre-resistor, posing the risk of injury to anyone in or near the vehicle.
The fix: Replace and reroute any hose that May have been misrouted.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #94V004000 · 1994 · 5,900 vehicles
What's wrong: High ambient engine compartment temperatures are experienced after the vehicle is operated and then parked. If the vehicle is restarted a short time later and the charcoal canister is saturated with fuel, it is possible that fuel vapor May be expelled through the inlet vent line of the canister onto the electric auxiliary radiator fan preresistor.
Why it matters: Under certain operating conditions the electric auxiliary radiator fan preresistor becomes hot enough to ignite the fuel expelled from the charcoal cannister and result in an underhood fire.
The fix: Dealers will reposition the fuel vapor canister vent line away from the electric fan preresistor. In addition, the preresistor will have a larger heat shield and a fused wiring harness will be installed.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (17): the most common themes are electrical failure (17), stalls / loses power (3), fire / smoke (3).
- Speed control / throttle (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E has 19 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 2 400E model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 19). Complaints peaked in 2008 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 15 years old, at a median of 125,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1993 (19 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (17), speed control / throttle (1), engine & cooling (1).
What gas mileage does the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.2 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.