1996 Mercedes Benz E320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
110,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 45 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 31.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.2% |
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 | 9 |
| Suspension:Front | 6 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Electrical System: 9; Suspension:Front: 6; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 6; Suspension: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2001: 3; 2002: 2; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 6; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011754 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
THE SPRING PURCH PLATE HAD RUSTED AND RIPPED APART FROM THE FRAME. MR SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020155 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FAILED. *JB THE COIL SPRING FAILURE CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026689 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THEATFRONT SUSPENSION IS RUSTED, ALL SUSPENSION BRACKETS COLLAPSED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049990 · 2003-12-03 (December 3, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED FRONT END COLLASPED BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION OF THE FRAME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 105,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064928 · 2004-03-25 (March 25, 2004)
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD THUMP COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO FOUND THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CHASSIS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073727 · 2004-07-13 (July 13, 2004)
THE PERCH ASSEMBLY THAT HELD THE WHEEL WELDING CAME APART FROM THE FRAME . THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER TEMPORARILY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST BEING HIT BY PASSING MOTORIST. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY SLOWING IT DOWN AND PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PERCH. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099066 · 2004-10-29 (October 29, 2004)
THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND. IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT 3 SPOT WELDS HAD FAILED. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104354 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AT THE END OF A FREEWAY OFF RAMP ON A RAINY DAY AND WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND AFTER ONE SPIN BOUNCED INTO A UTILITY POLE, HITTING THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS PUSHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS FRONT OR SIDE DEPLOYED, WHICH IN VIEW OF THE NATURE AND MAGNITUDE OF THE IMPACT IS UNBELIEVABLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,753 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104354 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.