2008 Mercedes Benz E320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 10 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 10.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Engine: 3; Steering: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Suspension: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2014: 2; 2017: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10360126 · 2010-10-12 (October 12, 2010)
ON TWO SEPARATE OCASSIONS, ABOUT 4 WEEKS APART STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT ON MERCEDES E CLASS. DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS A RARE OCASSION. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALER SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST TIME I WAS BILLED ABOUT $1,000. I AM GOING TO BE BILLED AGAIN WHEN THE CAR IS REPAIRED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10360126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10644743 · 2014-10-15 (October 15, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10661638 · 2014-12-02 (December 2, 2014)
FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE TANK. TOOK TO DEALER IN VALENCIA CA. THEY TIGHTENED THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE FOLLOWING WEEK WHEN WE FILLED UP, SAME ISSUE. RESPONDED VIA EMAIL TO SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. BROUGHT CAR BACK FOR SERVICE IN NOV 2014. DEALER SAYS CAR OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY 3 WEEKS. COST: $2500. OFFERS 15% OFF SERVICE, THIS IS A NICE GESTURE AND IT IS APPRECIATED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED (AND NOT CORRECTED) WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DEFECT INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AT NHTS…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10950014 · 2017-02-07 (February 7, 2017)
ENGINE DEVELOPED CATASTROPHIC OIL LEAK. OIL LEAKED FROM OIL COOLER SEALS. I WAS INFORMED BY MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE SEALS WERE REDESIGNED. THE ORIGINAL SEALS WERE MADE OF AN ORANGE RUBBER MATERIAL AND THE REPLACEMENT SEALS ARE MADE OF A PURPLE VITON MATERIAL. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SEALS WERE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,396 miles reported. Look up ODI 10950014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993903 · 2017-06-08 (June 8, 2017)
LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT PARTS MANUFACTURED BY FEQ AND SUPPLIED THRU WORLDPAC ARE SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE. PARTS HAVE 18K MILES ON THEM AND ARE AT A FAILURE POINT. ALTHOUGH WE ARE UNUSBLE TO DETERMINE IF A PART FAILURE FROM DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER OR FROM IMPACT DAMAGE TO SUPPORTING FRAME WORK ... PICTURES ATTACHED.
Owner-reported narrative. 121,291 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421703 · 2021-06-21 (June 21, 2021)
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact heard a hissing noise coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed the rear suspension on the driver's side was deflated sitting very low to the ground. The contact stated when they entered the vehicle to turn it on they received an error message on the display console stating the vehicle too low to drive. A few weeks prior to the failure the contact had the vehicle repaired by a local dealer for the rear suspension toe link and is concerned…
Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11421703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495682 · 2022-12-01 (December 1, 2022)
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. On another occasion while driving 30 MPH, the contact stated that he noticed smoking coming from the front of the vehicle with an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and examine the vehicle but found no failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, the contact was unsure what needed to be repaired; but the contact stated that the failure was with the engine. The vehicle was not repaire…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11495682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497474 · 2022-12-14 (December 14, 2022)
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed engine failure. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V006000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11497474 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V918000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V954000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V874000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗