1996 Mercedes Benz E320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
110,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 45 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 31.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.2% |
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 | 9 |
| Suspension:Front | 6 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Electrical System: 9; Suspension:Front: 6; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 6; Suspension: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2
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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2001: 3; 2002: 2; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 6; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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 10162824 · 2006-07-19 (July 19, 2006)
I HAVE A 1996 E320 AND THE FIRST THING TO GO WAS THE CONDENSER FAN, WHEN YOU TURN THE AC ON ITS THE FANS THAT HELP KEEP YOUR CAR COOL, BUT THEN THAT WENT OUT AND MY CAR WOULD RUN HOT IF I CONSTANTLY RAN AC. THEN MY AC BLOWER JUST WENT OUT ONE DAY. THEN I TOOK IT TO A MERCEDES SPECIALIST AND HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FRAIL AND WORN. HE CALLED MY CAR A TIME BOMB AND SAID IT WOULD BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT DIED ON ME. BUT I THOUGHT THAT MERCEDES LAST A LONG TIME. AND THEN, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193456 · 2007-06-15 (June 15, 2007)
WIRING HARNESS DEFECT, NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10193456 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104354 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AT THE END OF A FREEWAY OFF RAMP ON A RAINY DAY AND WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND AFTER ONE SPIN BOUNCED INTO A UTILITY POLE, HITTING THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS PUSHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS FRONT OR SIDE DEPLOYED, WHICH IN VIEW OF THE NATURE AND MAGNITUDE OF THE IMPACT IS UNBELIEVABLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,753 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192620 · 2007-06-06 (June 6, 2007)
FRONT SPRING PERCHES ARE RUSTED AT THE WELDING SEAM. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE PERCH DISLODGES AND MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR DEATH WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VITAL PART OF THE SUSPENSION/STEERING SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE BEST DEAL THE DEALERSHIP CAN GIVE IS HALF OFF REPAIR BILL. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND SHOULD BE FOR FREE!!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10192620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201995 · 2007-09-05 (September 5, 2007)
WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY DEAR WIFE WAS DYING FROM ADVANCED KIDNEY FAILURE, I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL 1996 E 320 (FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER). HOWEVER, WHEN HE DECIDED TO ADVERTISE THE CAR, HE CAREFULLY PRESSURE-WASHED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ETC., SO IT WOULD LOOK ITS BEST. AFTER WHICH, HE COULD NOT GET THE ENGINE TO FIRE AGAIN, SO HE HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO CHARGED HIM ALMOST $800 TO "DRY OFF THE SPARK PLUG WIRES, & REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG BOOTS"!!! (NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT "CRACKED WIRING, ETC.) I TOOK POSSESSION OF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10541922 · 2013-09-04 (September 4, 2013)
AFTER FILLING UP ON GAS JUST TWO DAYS AGO, THERE WAS A VERY PECULIAR SMELL. IT SMELLED OF GAS FUMES. JUST TODAY, I NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE WAS GOING DOWN QUITE FAST AND IT WASN'T UNTIL JUST NOW THAT MY GAS TANK IS LEAKING.
Owner-reported narrative. 152,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10541922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509592 · 2013-04-25 (April 25, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STARTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BEGAN TO DRY ROT AND WAS TO DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099066 · 2004-10-29 (October 29, 2004)
THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND. IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT 3 SPOT WELDS HAD FAILED. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207479 · 2007-10-30 (October 30, 2007)
MY CAR SEEM NOT TO BE STARTING ALL THE TIME WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION KEY ON. MERCEDES SERVICE INFORMED ME THAT THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AND THERE ARE BARE WIRE EXPOSED AND THIS COULD BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE INFORMED ME THAT THE MATERIAL WAS MADE WITH BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS OCCURRED. I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY MERCEDES AS A CAMPAIGN RATHER THAN CHARGE THE OWNER 1,500 DOLLARS TO FIX. THE DEALER SAID TO NOT TOUCH THE WIRE HARNESS AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR WILL S…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10474421 · 2012-09-09 (September 9, 2012)
THIS VEHICLE (1996 MERCEDES E320) HAS HAD A HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. MANY REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AT GREAT EXPENSE! THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND I WAS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE MYSELF. TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONNECTION IN THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO THE PARK/NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH ON THE TRANSMISSION AND TO THE STARTER. THIS HARNESS ALSO INCLUDES CONNECTIONS TO THE STARTER AND SENSORS …
Owner-reported narrative. 148,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474421 at NHTSA ↗