1998 Mercedes Benz 320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
104,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 17 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 720630 · 2000-03-27 (March 27, 2000)
TRNSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, REPEATED FAILURE OF WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC SEATS REAR ENTRY AND BRAKE LIGHTS, INDICATE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WARRANTY COVERS THE REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE 1998 320 CLK? WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865774 · 2000-07-20 (July 20, 2000)
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES TO PARK PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES MOMENTARILY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO BE DIAGNOSED AGAIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011321 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING TO CONTROL DOWNHILL SPEED SHIFT LEVER MOVED BETWEEN ALL SHIFT POSITIONS WITHOUT ENGAGING IN ANY GEAR, AND VEHICLE WAS FREEWHEELING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046094 · 2004-02-10 (February 10, 2004)
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE AN ESSENTIAL PART WAS MISSING. *AK THERE WAS LOW FLUID. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER STEERING CYLINDER LEAKED INTO THE BOOT. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 89,941 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8017660 · 2002-08-30 (August 30, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, STOPPING ALL OF A SUDDEN, AND FAILING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. OWNER SAID SHE ALMOST WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT FUEL PUMP WAS THE CAUSE. THIS WAS HER THIRD REPLACEMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017660 at NHTSA ↗