Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Wire harness shorted out due to naked wires with no insulation causing the harness to catch fire burning harness and frying the alternator. The cause was said to be wire harness deteriorated. Improper insulation on the harness.
The engine control/fuel injection wiring harness of my 1995 Mercedes-Benz s420 (61,000 miles), has cracked insulation throughout and is beginning to short-circuit with the risk of causing dangerous engine malfunction--and even fire--inside my engine compartment. I have read hundreds of reports of other Mercedes-Benz cars of the same age range having the exact same defect. This is a known defect to Mercedes as far back as 1997 that they continue to refuse to recall. The NHTSA appears to be looking at this defect as a separate issue by year and model...it is definitely not! It was a supplier issue for all Mercedes models of the years 1991-1997 and should be investigated as such. You have over 700 reports of this problem. Do something...now!!!
My 1995 Mercedes s320 wiring harness insulation decomposing. Bare wires are exposed at engine coil connections. The insulation on the harness wires is just crumbling. Vehicle is presently disabled in limp mode. Prior to this, the vehicle would go into limp mode while executing turns. Part cost is $750; dealer labor cost is $600. The wiring May have damaged other electrical components (I.e.: computer or voltage regulator). This wiring insulation problem is not normal with any vehicle, no less one that costs $65,000 new. This most definitely should be a recall item.
I have a 1995 Mercedes s320. The 'check engine' is on, indicated a problem with the car. I took it to Mercedes dealer shop, and they told me it have 8 fault codes. The found the wiring harness is hard and brittle. It took them 4 hours to find the fix the short. The repair cost is $400. The fix does not fix the problem, as the 'check engine' will come on after 50 miles! The mb shop also recommend the wiring harness to be replaced, cost ~$1,200 for the part (not including labor). I think this is a defect from Mercedes and it should be a recall/correct by Mercedes.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Mercedes s-Class. The contact stated that the vehicle would independently engage in limp mode causing the vehicle to become resistant to acceleration over 25 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the failure was coming from the wiring harness that was connected from the computer to the engine. The dealer stated the wiring was deteriorating. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 81,000.
Wiring harness has completely disintegrated from the ignition control unit all the way to the engine sensors including wires that are connected to the fuel injection. Wires are bare and touching. Vehicle smells on fuel but there are no leaks to be found. Please contact me if you need pictures. This is not some 11,000 Hyundai guys. This is a 142,000 s600 Mercedes. I feel fortunate that my children and myself did not burn to death somewhere on the road. I have never in my life seen anything like this.
My 1995 Mercedes s320 has been stalling and misfiring and sometimes doesn't start up. I took it for tune up, but the mechanic said he cant do anything because the fault wiring harness insulation from factory is peeling off and making the wires short-circuit and if he tries to do anything it will make it worse,I have talked to several Mercedes owners with earlier and mid 90s who have same problem and I think this is a potential fire hazard and you should petition the manufacturer on our behalf.
Parts of the electrical system began failing. Drivers window would not operate and after much troubleshooting by the repair shop, the switch was replaced. Several weeks later gauges on the dash failed and the passenger window and horn failed to operate. After disassembling the interior (seats, console, dash, etc.) the repair shop came upon the problem - wires shorting all along the wiring harness and cause sparks and shorts throughout.
Experiencing multiple check engine faults in my 1995 Mercedes Benz s600. Surging engine, intermittent rough idle. Inspection of wiring harness controlling engine shows degrading wiring insulation. Many cracks in insulation are causing short circuits which can cause engine stalling, surging, and is a fire hazard. This will require the wiring harness to be replaced. The work has not yet been performed.
The fuel system wiring harness on my 1995 Mercedes-Benz s600 shorted out and made my car inoperable. This occurred while sitting in traffic drive back from work. I was able to 'jiggle' the wires enough to limp to my driveway. While 'limping', the car continuously backfired and heaved towards the cars in front of me, narrowly rear-ending them.
Electrical complaints in other S Class years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the electrical system of the 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class, 81% of the model year's 27 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 134,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.