Mercedes Benz R320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 31.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Engine: 5; Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Suspension: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 4 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 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10409338 · 2011-06-29 (June 29, 2011)
SEVERAL TIMES HAS THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION EXPLODED ON MY MERCEDES R 320 CDI. ONE TIME IN HIGH SPEED. THE CAR WAS UNSTABLE UNDER BRAKING AND THE NOISE OF THE EXPLOSION WAS DANGEROUS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10409338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10469682 · 2012-08-08 (August 8, 2012)
ENGINE 'DIED' (VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER) WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OVER ON SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER ASSISTANCE STEERING OR BRAKING. BROUGH IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE 8/8/12, STALLED TWO MORE TIMES WHILE ENROUTE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A FAILED CAMSHAFT SENSOR. I LOOKED UP ALL SAFETY RECALLS ON VEHICLE, AND FOUND ONE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IN 2008. I WAS TOLD THAT MY FAILED CAMSHAFT SENSOR IS DIFFERENT AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER, EVEN THOUGH IT PRODUCES THE SAME SYMPTOM/RESULT AS A FAILED CR…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10954392 · 2017-02-13 (February 13, 2017)
TRANSMISSION MODEL 722.9 FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. CREATES AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD LEAD TO FATAL ACCIDENTS. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DISENGAGES BRINGING CAR TO STAND STILL, OR IT DOWNSHIFTS WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS AT HIGH SPEED. FEELS LIKE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION IS DROPPING OFF THE CAR. MY CAR HAD ONLY 45K MILES ON IT WHEN IT FIRST EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM. NOW IT COST MORE THAN RETAIL VALUE OF THE CAR TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506547 · 2023-02-10 (February 10, 2023)
The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz R320. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start in very cold weather. The contact stated that after changing the battery several times, the failure continued to occur. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the front and rear exterior lights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failu…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11506547 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
2006: 0; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 3