1997 Mercedes Benz 420 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
131,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 18 complaints (27.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 5 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 5; Suspension:Front: 3; Suspension: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 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 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
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: 5; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10249623 · 2008-11-24 (November 24, 2008)
HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS IS DISINTEGRATING, AND LOOKS IDENTICAL TO PICTURES SENT TO NHTSA BY OTHER OWNERS AND IS A FIRE HAZARD THAT IS UNDETECTABLE UNTIL SHORTS OR FIRES DEVELOP. THE INSULATION IS LITERALLY FALLING APART, AND THIS CREATES GREAT POTENTIAL FOR UNSAFE OPERATION, SHORTCIRCUITS, BREAKDOWN AND IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 111,111 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080293 · 2004-07-26 (July 26, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING HARD. THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FRAME WELL WAS BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB METAL ON FRAME WELL WAS REPLACED DUE TO FATIGUE. ALSO, FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BY CONSUMER IN AN AUCTION. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133880 · 2005-08-23 (August 23, 2005)
I RECENTLY HAD A GAS TANK PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED ON MY 1997 E MODEL MERCEDES. UPON INSPECTION OF THE INTERIOR OF THE GAS TANK, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RETURN LINES INSIDE THE TANK HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF TANK PRESSURE, LEAKAGE, AND /OR IMPROPER EMISSION SYSTEM SENSOR READOUTS. THE TANK HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO MPACT SO THE DISCONNECTED LINE APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN OR ENGINEERING DEFECT. IN ADDITION, THE IMPROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE RETURN LINE EQUIPMENT WITHIN THE GAS TANK HAS A MAJOR IMPACT ON GAS MILEAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 123,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133880 at NHTSA ↗