1994 Mercedes Benz E320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
146,754 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 11 complaints (63.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 63.6% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 27.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
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 | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Electrical System: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 1; Power Train: 1; Seats: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2012: 5; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10451813 · 2012-03-15 (March 15, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E-320 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS EXPOSED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BE REPLACED SINCE IT WAS DETERIORATING AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,508.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,508 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10451816 · 2012-03-15 (March 15, 2012)
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IS DETERIORATING AND WIRES ARE EXPOSED. THIS IS A MERCEDES BENZ MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECALL. THIS PROBLEM CAN CASE INJURY AND DEATH. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10451816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10484043 · 2012-11-12 (November 12, 2012)
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP TO ABOUT 3500 RPM AS IF I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. FREAKY EXPERIENCE BUT LUCKILY THE ROAD WASN'T TOO BUSY. I SLOWED DOWN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (WAS DRIVING IN PORTLAND OREGON INNER CITY AREA) BY PRESSING THE BRAKES AND FLIPPING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING UP AROUND 3000-4000RPM. WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN, IT WASN'T SO BAD BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF BETWEEN ABOUT 750 AND 2000RPM. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CAR HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 162,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10484043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10535552 · 2013-08-15 (August 15, 2013)
AFTER THE VEHICLE IS RESTORED, THE OWNER STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SIGNS OF ELECTRICAL MISHAP. AT FIRST, THE OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION RELAY (OVP) SHORTED OUT AND THUS, THE CAR COULDN'T BE STARTED. AFTER REPLACING THE OVP, $100, THE CAR STARTED FINE AND ENDED UP BEING DRIVABLE BUT THE OWNER NOTICED A VERY SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS MISFIRE, IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE CYLINDERS LEADING FROM THE ECU TO THE DISTRIBUTOR. OWNER STILL ENDED UP GOING TO A VIRGINIA STATE LICENSED INSPECTION AND EMISSION. WHERE IT FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 143,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10535552 at NHTSA ↗