1998 Mercedes Benz E320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
101,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 28 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 21.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.6% |
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 | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
Suspension: 5; Air Bags: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Suspension:Front: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 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). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2011: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 10026921 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE SHUTING OFF. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF LEAVING THE CONSUMER WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKE POWER. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115643 · 2005-03-16 (March 16, 2005)
MERCEDES E-320 1998, SUDDEN ACCELERATION, REF. ODI 10113529. *BF THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, JUMPING THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO A WOODEN FENCE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED IRREGULAR SPEED. THE CONSUMERS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES THE ENTIRE TIME. MERCEDES FOUND NO PROBLEM. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052172 · 2003-12-31 (December 31, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE'S CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE. AS A RESULT THE POWER STEERING FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NO REPORT OF IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10251439 · 2008-12-10 (December 10, 2008)
I NOTICED WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THAT MY STEERING COLUMN WAS VIBRATING, AS WELL AS THE GEAR SHIFT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT WAS ALSO VERY NOISY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS HAD COLLAPSED! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10683710 · 2015-02-16 (February 16, 2015)
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015, 4:45 PM, AN ATTENDANT AT SAM'S CLUB GAS PUMPS, TULSA HILLS SHOPPING CENTER, TULSA, OK, OVERFLOWED THE GAS TANK, CREATING A SPILL LARGE ENOUGH THAT ABSORBENT MATERIALS WAS USED TO SOAK UP THE GAS ON THE PAVEMENT (VIDEO AVAILABLE FROM SAM'S). UPON LEAVING, THE ENGINE DIED BEFORE EXITING THE STATION. RESTARTED AND DIED AGAIN AT THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT 1/4 MILE AWAY. RESTARTED AND ABNORMAL NOISES WERE HEARD DURING THE NEXT MILE AND WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A LARGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD, …
Owner-reported narrative. 149,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10683710 at NHTSA ↗