1997 Mercedes Benz E420 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
133,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
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 | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Pretensioner | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seat Belts:Pretensioner: 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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10671831 · 2015-01-12 (January 12, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ E420. AFTER STOPPING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE RADIO FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 3/17/15*CN UPDATED 8/18/2015 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10463407 · 2012-06-28 (June 28, 2012)
THE MERCEDES BENZ E-420 ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS MANUFACTURED FROM BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS BEGAN TO DETERIORATE AND FAIL. THIS LEAD TO A CYCLE OF INCREASINGLY SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALSO LEAD TO THE SAFETY ON FREEWAY WHERE THE OTHER DRIVER CAN NOT SEE MY BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN I AM BRAKING DUE TO THIS WIRING ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 132,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10463407 at NHTSA ↗