1995 Mercedes Benz 320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 21 complaints (38.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 52.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 5 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Electrical System: 8; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 5; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
1995: 1; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2012: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10016993 · 2003-05-04 (May 4, 2003)
WIRING HARNESS ON MY 1995 MERCEDES E320 HAS DETERIORATED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT MY EXPENSE AS PER MERCEDES DEALER. THE CAR STALLS AND IS A SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD. ONBOARD DIAGNOSTICS ARE RENDERED USELESS. IT IS AN OBVIOUS MATERIALS OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN BY MECHANICS, BUT DENIED BY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160457 · 2006-06-22 (June 22, 2006)
1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320; MY CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING AT IDLE, WORST WHEN A/C IS ON, WHEN ACCELERATING, MAKING TURNS, BACKFIRES CONSTANTLY WHICH FRIGHTENS ME THAT MY CAR COULD CATCH FIRE AND INJURE THE KIDS IN THE CAR AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD BE REPLACED FIRST BEFORE HE COULD TROUBLESHOOT ANY PROBLEMS AND THIS WOULD COST ME $1000-1600 FOR THE PART PLUS LABOR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR A BUNCH OF WIRES AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT MERCEDES BENZ CARS AREN'T SUPPOSE TO DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329987 · 2010-05-11 (May 11, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ 320SL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND HAVE IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329995 · 2010-05-11 (May 11, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCEDES BENZ 320SL. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED AUTOMOTIVE CENTER WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8010305 · 2002-05-22 (May 22, 2002)
BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND TRANSMISSION GEAR CONSOLE CAME APART. DRIVER WAS INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. CONSUMER FELT AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED IF NOTHING WAS HIT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8010305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448946 · 2012-02-22 (February 22, 2012)
DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, MISSING INSULATION WAS DISCOVERED ON WIRING TO A SENSOR IN THE AIR TUBE, VISIBLE OUTSIDE OF TAPE WRAP. I MADE SURE THAT WIRES WERE NOT TOUCHING AND INSULATED THE EXPOSED AREAS AT THE CLIP-ON CONNECTOR TO THE SENSOR. ENGINE MISSFIRE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO FUEL DELIVERY AND INJECTOR CLEANER WAS ADDED TO TANK. DRIVEABILTY CONTINUED TO WORSEN, AS ENGINE MISSFIRE BEGAN TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN. I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE OF THE WIRING ISSUES, SO I DECIDED TO REMOVE THE TAPE WRAP ON THE LEAD TO THE SENSOR. THE ENTIRE LENGTH THAT I E…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10448946 at NHTSA ↗