Mercedes Benz E320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,154 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
99,264 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 875 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 255 of 1,154 complaints (22.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 243 | 21.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 233 | 20.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 158 | 13.7% |
| Engine operation | 58 | 5.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 56 | 4.9% |
| Steering behavior | 44 | 3.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 255 |
| Service Brakes | 162 |
| Electrical System | 123 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 105 |
| Air Bags | 80 |
| Suspension | 51 |
| Engine | 40 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 38 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 255; Service Brakes: 162; Electrical System: 123; Fuel System, Gasoline: 105; Air Bags: 80; Suspension: 51; Engine: 40; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 38
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 56 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 68 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 154 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 163 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 295 |
| 150,000 and above | 139 |
Under 25,000: 56; 25,000 to 49,999: 68; 50,000 to 74,999: 154; 75,000 to 99,999: 163; 100,000 to 149,999: 295; 150,000 and above: 139
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (295). 279 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 | 7 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 29 |
| 2003 | 52 |
| 2004 | 44 |
| 2005 | 32 |
| 2006 | 55 |
| 2007 | 45 |
| 2008 | 41 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2011 | 57 |
| 2012 | 68 |
| 2013 | 148 |
| 2014 | 145 |
| 2015 | 98 |
| 2016 | 57 |
| 2017 | 47 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2000: 7; 2001: 17; 2002: 29; 2003: 52; 2004: 44; 2005: 32; 2006: 55; 2007: 45; 2008: 41; 2009: 28; 2010: 45; 2011: 57; 2012: 68; 2013: 148; 2014: 145; 2015: 98; 2016: 57; 2017: 47; 2018: 39; 2019: 18; 2020: 25; 2021: 11; 2022: 14; 2023: 16; 2024: 8; 2025: 7; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 243 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 233 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 158 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 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 ↗
Owner report 10155541 · 2006-04-17 (April 17, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SMOG PUMP WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE SMOG PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FUEL INJECTOR AND IGNITION WAS DETERIORATING AND COULD OVERHEATING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V031000, REGARDING THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 05/02/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233206 · 2008-07-04 (July 4, 2008)
THE ENGINE INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS IS CRUMB LINK AND CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS. I UNDERSTAND MB KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT. THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. BONNIE LANG *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233206 at NHTSA ↗
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 10006267 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A FAULTY MASS AIR METER. DEALER REPLACED THE MASS AIR METER. CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155439 · 2006-04-16 (April 16, 2006)
WIRING HARNESS IN 1995 MERCEDES BENZ E320 DETERIORATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY AND HAD TO BE TOWED - THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND MERCEDES HAS NO RESPONSE TO CORRECT OR DISCOUNT THE REPAIR PARTS - PAID 3200.00 TO REPLACE ENGINE HARNESS, FUEL ACTUATOR, TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155731 · 2006-04-19 (April 19, 2006)
I OWN A 95 E320 MERCEDES BENZ WHICH HAS 98,000 MILES. SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THE CAR PROPERLY; I CHANGE OIL EVERY 4,000 MILES, I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION JUST LAST YEAR, ETC. RECENTLY THE SMOG PUMP WORE OUT SO I ASKED A CERTIFIED MERCEDES BENZ TECHNICIAN TO REPLACE IT. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, HE INFORMED ME THAT HE FOUND ALL OF THE FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESSES TOTALLY STRIPPED OF THEIR INSULATION INSIDE THE OUTER FABRIC COVER. HE SAID THE WIRES WERE TOUCHING EACH OTHER AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIX. HE ALSO SAI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10155731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217423 · 2008-02-08 (February 8, 2008)
MY 1995 E-320 WAGONS ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION HAS DETERIORATED TO A POINT WHERE THE CAR WAS GOING CRAZY, ODD ACCELERATOR BEHAVIOR, LOSS OF POWER, LOSS OF TRANS CONTROL, LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, ALL WIRE INSULATION ON THIS HARNESS HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS AMAZING THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIRE OR ACCIDENT B/C OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. I CANNOT BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH MY 20 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH IT LIKE THIS. WHEN THE CAR STATED ACTING UP. I TOOK IT TO A CERT. MECHANIC AND HE SHOWED ME THAT I THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250100 · 2008-11-28 (November 28, 2008)
THE CAR ABRUPTLY BEGAN TO RUN POORLY, TO THE EXTENT THAT POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WERE NOT PRESENT. INVESTIGATION FOUND DETERIORATED INSULATION ON THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED AND NORMAL FUNCTIONING OF THE ENGINE RETURNED. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN MADE FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 640,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250100 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2006: 4; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 3