Mercedes Benz S320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
165,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 to 1997 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 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 4 of 11 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 36.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 18.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
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 | 4 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Engine: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 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 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
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: 2; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 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 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10681646 · 2015-02-05 (February 5, 2015)
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS BECOME BRITTLE AND IS ROTTING OFF THE COPPER WIRE CAUSING SHORTS SHORTING OUT MODULES TRANSMISSION HAS STOP SHIFTING FROM 4TH TO 5TH UNLESS YOU LET UP OFF THE GAS AT HIGH RPM'S THEN LET IT FALL DOWN TO ABOUT 7000 RPM'S THEN IT SHIFTS I HAVE CAME CLOSE TO GETTING REAR ENDED BY SEMI TRUCKS TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT THIS THING COULD CATCH FIRE AT ANY TIME I JUST WONDER WHAT ITS GOING TO TAKE TO GET THIS THING ON THE RECALL LIST IS MERCEDES WAITING FOR IT TO KILL SOMEONE FIRST OR WHAT? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10681646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10850621 · 2016-03-20 (March 20, 2016)
THE WIRING THAT CONTROLS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR HAS INSULATION THAT HAS DISINTEGRATED CAUSING A SHORT IN THE WIRING RESULTING IN AN INSTANTANEOUS LOSS OF POWER. VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT THE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 199,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090288 · 2004-09-02 (September 2, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIDN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND GEAR. DEALERSHIP HAS WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11242553 · 2019-08-09 (August 9, 2019)
LETTER TO SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT EXPRESSING CONCERNS RE HIS S320 MERCEDES BENZ. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, THE DRIVESHAFT DISC, BUSHING, CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *JS *JS *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11242553 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0