Model year guide

1986 Mercedes-benz 190

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 148 on record.

1986 Mercedes-benz 190 — representative photo
Representative photo

1986 Mercedes-benz 190 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Combined19–28 mpg

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

1986 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.

1986 Mercedes-benz 190 MPG & running costs

Combined19–28 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,692
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume84 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,458 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 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 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,460
Fuel only$18,460
Per mile$0.25

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 5

PARKING BRAKE LEVERS Closed

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

PARKING BRAKE Closed

PARKING BRAKE

NHTSA #DP90009 · Parking Brake · opened May 1990 · closed Aug 1990

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 1986 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.

1986 Mercedes-benz 190 vehicles on record

1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010231F204107 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241A282357 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB20102410018783 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241A333154 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241A335581 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB20102210001270 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221F214488 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F216502 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F307536 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011261F302638 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011261F232138 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011261A304154 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F275404 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010231F222566 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010281A334903 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F205538 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010231F253022 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A232016 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221F203516 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011261A300695 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241A315567 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2011221A159394 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F275612 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 1986 Mercedes-benz 190WDB2010241F218378

Other Mercedes-benz 190 model years

2003 1999 1997 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1985 1984 1983

1986 Mercedes-benz 190 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1986 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 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 get?

The 1986 Mercedes-benz 190 has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

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