I agree about the Japanese cars (older models) having some of the best electrical systems. I have owned several through the years and never had an electrical issue. I did have a blown instrument cluster bulb (over the tachometer on the 86' and on the "door open" monitor on the 84') on two Accords I had - a 84' and a 86'. My old 81' Toyota Cressida had a bad relay in the fuse box that made the warning lights all illuminate (kindof like a alternator problem)- but this was a easy fix - just plugged a new one in out of a 82' Celica. Other than that- NO concerns and EVERYTHING worked perfectly.

I agree 100% with mpolli. Yes, Nissans do seem to have the most troublesome electrical out of Japanese cars, but an exception would be Mazda. They too have some electrical concerns. This is not to say that Nissan or Mazda are bad- they are actually very good on many models, but seem to have a few more concerns. At least two exceptions I know of - my dads 88' Nissan truck (251K) and grandpas 90' Mazda 929 (175K). Neither have any had any electrical problem.

Hondas and Toyotas seem to rate best in this area- again, at least the 70s thru 90s models. My Camrys (I had two 87s and a 93) and NEVER had any electrical problem. I also had a 90' Lexus LS400 and it did have a couple of issues. The passenger window switch sometimes would need to be pressed or lifted a little hard to get it to work- my radio had got to where it would only work in 60+ degree weather and then my speedometer needle light went 1/2 way out. One thing about the older Lexus cars (exception being the 90-91 ES250 with the old analog gages) had problems with the instrument cluster lights. There were several problems that could crop up, from circuit board issues to the needles burning out - ALL $$$ repairs! Mine developed the needle problem when I hit a huge pot hole one day.

The Lexus have other problems too. On the 1990-94 LS400, there is a wiring harness in the trunk near the hinge that can become damaged that can cause the interior lighting to go haywire. Mine never had this issue, but it can cause bizarre occurrences. Such as when you depress the brake, the "R" indicator on the dash will illuminate, or some warning lights will illuminate when you press the brakes, or gages go silly, etc. I have also seen some engine fire damaged LS400s, because the power steering pumps were prone to leaks - which is located directly OVER the alternator. Sometimes owners will let them go so far that the fluid shorts it out and ignites a blaze. Not always a blaze, but it does cause weird things to happen as well.

I have always heard that German cars have a lot of electrical issues and I was convinced when I bought my old 1982 BMW 733i. It was a fire waiting to happen, but a lot of it was probably from the PO. Where the radio used to be, there was a lot of bare wiring in there. The heat/AC controls did not work at all, some of the warning lights on the "check system" would stay illuminated (even when no need) and the lights in the power window switches on the console stayed illuminated ALL of the time. I had to disconnect the battery @ night. I sold this lemon within a month.

Luckily, so far, with my MB, I do not have any electrical issues, except my left rear and right front window do not work- which I think is very acceptable, considering this car is over 21 years old - not to mention a German car. I am assuming it is possibly a fuse is the issue with the windows, I have not checked it yet. Hopefully I do no jinx myself for saying that.

As far as the older AMERICAN cars go (50s thru 80s) General Motors was the best - no doubt. Ford was second and Chrysler was the worst. I have never had ANY electrical issues with any of my older GM cars in the past (60s and 70s), nor my current older GM cars. Chryslers had electrical problems galore- all through the 50s thru 90s - probably even still!