Model year guide

1985 Mercedes-benz 190

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 173 on record.

1985 Mercedes-benz 190 — representative photo
Representative photo

1985 Mercedes-benz 190 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Combined18–30 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1985 Mercedes-benz 190 recalls 2

Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical NHTSA Campaign #91V137000 · 20/08/1991

THE DESIGN OF THE PARKING BRAKE GRIP MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO DISTORT THE GRIP AND PINCH THE BRAKE RELEASE KNOB. IF THE RELEASE KNOB STICKS IN A PARTIAL ENGAGE/RELEASE POSITION BECAUSE OF THE PINCHED GRIP, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE LEVER TO RELEASE UNINTENTIONALLY WITH A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN PARKING BRAKE FORCE.

Fix: REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE GRIP WITH A NEW GRIP TYPE.

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers NHTSA Campaign #87V104000 · 13/07/1987

IN CASE OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHICH BLOWS FUSE NO. 9, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE.

Fix: USE TWO FUSES IN COMBINATION SO THAT IN CASE OF A FUSE FAILURE, THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WILL NOT OPERATE.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1985 Mercedes-benz 190 MPG & running costs

Combined18–30 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,450
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume84 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,250
Fuel only$17,250
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 4

PARKING BRAKE LEVERS Closed

NHTSA #EA90040 · Parking Brake · opened Aug 1990 · closed Aug 1991

SUDDEN ACCELERATION Closed

THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY PETITIONED NHTSA TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTOSUDDEN ACCELERATION ON VARIOUS MERCEDES-BENZ MODELS. THE PETITION WASGRANTED WITH RESPECT TO THE 1986-1987 300E MODEL AND ENGINEERING ANALYSISEA88-003 WAS OPENED COVERING JUST THE 1986 AND 1987 300 E VEHICLES.SUBSEQUENTLY, CFAS REPETITIONED NHTSA TO EXPAND ITS INVESTIGATION TO COVERALL 1984 THROUGH 1987 MERCEDES GASOLINE POWERED VEHICLES. DEFECT…

NHTSA #EA88034 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jul 1988 · closed Jul 1990

ABS FAILURES Closed

NHTSA #PE88032 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Mar 1988 · closed May 1988

SUDDEN ACCELERATION Closed

NHTSA #DP87019 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened May 1987 · closed Oct 1987

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 1

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

UPDATED INFORMATION TO REFLECT ADDITON OF APPROVED TIRES. *YC

Bulletin PSIMBNA4020M · Tires · Jun 1998

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 190. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1985 Mercedes-benz 190. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Brakes

THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RELEASE KNOB COULD STICK, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR THE LEVER TO RELEASE UNINTENTIONALLY WITH A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN PARKING BRAKE APPLICATION FORCE. CORRECTION: PARKING BRAKE LEVER GRIP WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE OF A NEWER DESIGN.

Transport Canada #1991118 · Aug 1991

Electrical

AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE COULD BLOW A FUSE AND RESULT IN THE FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. ALSO, AN ENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT BE DISENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY BY JUST TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. DISENGAGEMENT WOULD BE TRIGGERED EITHER BY BRAKING AND DECELERATING TO BELOW 40KM OR SHUTTING THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. CORRECTION: REMEDY WILL BE THE COMBINATION OF TWO FUSES SUCH THAT…

Transport Canada #1987050 · May 1987

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

1985 Mercedes-benz 190 vehicles on record

1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A259058 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F093860 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A233055 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010231F276364 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F153183 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221F785815 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F061355 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A222527 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A193732 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A148942 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241A166288 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241A202189 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F072376 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221F116561 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221F114769 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F079123 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F129333 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241A246700 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010231F068883 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241A233955 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221F397670 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A221824 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A181772 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 1985 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F098802

Other Mercedes-benz 190 model years

2003 1999 1997 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1984 1983

1985 Mercedes-benz 190 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 Mercedes-benz 190. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What gas mileage does the 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 get?

The 1985 Mercedes-benz 190 has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.