FaultScore report
Owners have filed 54 complaints about the 1998 Mercedes Benz 320 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2009. The largest single group is the lights. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 9 worst.
FaultScore 51/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz 320.
How this is worked out54
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
100,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 100,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 89,941 mi
Median failure at 109,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 185,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. IT TOOK 5 FIRE TRUCKS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #851980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. IT TOOK 5 FIRE TRUCKS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #851980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, HITTING A STONE WALL ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK * MJS
NHTSA complaint #844559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
STEERING WHEEL ROD BROKE WHILE CHANGING LANE CAUSING A SEVERE INJURY TO DRIVERS RIGHT HAND.
NHTSA complaint #543477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE TIRE TREAD DAMAGED THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $6000. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO MAIL THE BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA,TIRE SIZE 225/60/R16 TO THEM FOR A REFUND; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER RESPONDED VIA MAIL THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGES TO HER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE TIRE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
NHTSA complaint #10295668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN 1998 MERCEDEZ E320, JUST EXITED NJ TURNPIKE AT EXIT 2, HEARD LOUD NOISE CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND LARGE SPRING DROPPED OUT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10223203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEAD LAMP COVERS ON THE MERCEDES "E" CLASS TURN FROM CLEAR TO A FOGY TRANSLUCENT OVER TIME. ONCE THE HEAD LIGHT LENS TURNS TRANSLUCENT THE HEAD LIGHT BEAM IS NO LONGER ABLE TO TRANSMIT LIGHT AS FAR DOWN THE ROAD AS THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. THE HEAD LAMP IS ALSO NO LONGER CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING LIGHT AS TO THE U.S. DOT STANDARDS. THIS SITUATION LEAD TO AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR ALL DRIVERS OF THE "E" CLASS.
NHTSA complaint #10172946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
HEAD LAMP COVERS ON THE MERCEDES "E" CLASS TURN FROM CLEAR TO A FOGY TRANSLUCENT OVER TIME. ONCE THE HEAD LIGHT LENS TURNS TRANSLUCENT THE HEAD LIGHT BEAM IS NO LONGER ABLE TO TRANSMIT LIGHT AS FAR DOWN THE ROAD AS THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. THE HEAD LAMP IS ALSO NO LONGER CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING LIGHT AS TO THE U.S. DOT STANDARDS. THIS SITUATION LEAD TO AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR ALL DRIVERS OF THE "E" CLASS.
NHTSA complaint #10172946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SIDE AND SWERVED. THE VEHICLE ALMOST HIT AN 18 WHEELER. ONCE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS REGAINED, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT A SPRING MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP SPECIALIST DETERMINED THAT CORROSION MUST HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY SALT. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED HOW OFTEN DEFECTS OF THIS NATURE OCCUR, THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS NEVER. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIR, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS NOT CONCERNED ENTIRELY ABOUT THE COST. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED EXTREME CONCERN REGARDING SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE; THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONTACT REMAINS UNCOMFORTABLE AND INSISTS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10160370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH 1998 MERCEDES BENZ. THE SHOCK HOUSING CAME APART FROM THE CHASSIS. THE CHASSIS COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL. THERE WAS NO SUSPENSION ON THE FRONT END. CONSUMER HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE SHOCK HOUSING. MECHANIC FIXED THE CAR WITH AN ADDITIONAL AFTER MARKET BRACKET. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CAR. THE MERCEDES BENZ ORGANIZATION CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. CONSUMER DID FILED A COMPLAINT WHILE TALKING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10131126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
ENGINE CONSTANTLY LOOSES OIL, POTENTIAL TO LOCK ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10093566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE AN ESSENTIAL PART WAS MISSING. *AK THERE WAS LOW FLUID. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER STEERING CYLINDER LEAKED INTO THE BOOT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10046094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING TO CONTROL DOWNHILL SPEED SHIFT LEVER MOVED BETWEEN ALL SHIFT POSITIONS WITHOUT ENGAGING IN ANY GEAR, AND VEHICLE WAS FREEWHEELING.
NHTSA complaint #10011321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, STOPPING ALL OF A SUDDEN, AND FAILING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. OWNER SAID SHE ALMOST WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT FUEL PUMP WAS THE CAUSE. THIS WAS HER THIRD REPLACEMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8017660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOUTHERN STAR REPAIR SHOP 256-236-5389 HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH SAME PROBLEM IN JUNE, 2002. YOUR DATABASE ODI # 607611 APPEARS TO BE SAME. DEALERSHIP IN MONTGOMERY, AL AND KANSAS CITY, MO, HAVE SEEN SAME PART FAILURE. -- THANK YOU. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #763750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
UNDER CARRIAGE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED NOT SALT RELATED. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8012637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #760225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CAR STARTED BURNING OUT LIGHT BULBS AND HORNS, 25 INCIDENTS, FROM 02/15/1998 TO 03/06/2002. TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LIGHTS INCLUDED TAIL LIGHTS/ HEADLIGHTS/ FOG LIGHTS/ SIDE MARKERS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MB E320'S IN THE DEALERS FOR SAME REASON.
NHTSA complaint #759770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CAR STARTED BURNING OUT LIGHT BULBS AND HORNS, 25 INCIDENTS, FROM 02/15/1998 TO 03/06/2002. TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LIGHTS INCLUDED TAIL LIGHTS/ HEADLIGHTS/ FOG LIGHTS/ SIDE MARKERS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MB E320'S IN THE DEALERS FOR SAME REASON.
NHTSA complaint #759770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
CAR STARTED BURNING OUT LIGHT BULBS AND HORNS, 25 INCIDENTS, FROM 02/15/1998 TO 03/06/2002. TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LIGHTS INCLUDED TAIL LIGHTS/ HEADLIGHTS/ FOG LIGHTS/ SIDE MARKERS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MB E320'S IN THE DEALERS FOR SAME REASON.
NHTSA complaint #759770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
CAR STARTED BURNING OUT LIGHT BULBS AND HORNS, 25 INCIDENTS, FROM 02/15/1998 TO 03/06/2002. TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LIGHTS INCLUDED TAIL LIGHTS/ HEADLIGHTS/ FOG LIGHTS/ SIDE MARKERS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MB E320'S IN THE DEALERS FOR SAME REASON.
NHTSA complaint #759770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIRBAG LIGHT ON FOR 1 WEEK. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO FOUND WIRE HARNESS FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONNECTOR SEEMED TO BE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #883211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING, SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED, LUCKILY THE SHADE WAS CLOSED AND KEPT THE GLASS FROM ENTERING VEHICLE, TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS FREEZING . *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES TO PARK PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES MOMENTARILY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO BE DIAGNOSED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #865774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRNSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, REPEATED FAILURE OF WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC SEATS REAR ENTRY AND BRAKE LIGHTS, INDICATE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WARRANTY COVERS THE REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE 1998 320 CLK? WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?
NHTSA complaint #720630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TRNSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, REPEATED FAILURE OF WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC SEATS REAR ENTRY AND BRAKE LIGHTS, INDICATE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WARRANTY COVERS THE REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE 1998 320 CLK? WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?
NHTSA complaint #720630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
TRNSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, REPEATED FAILURE OF WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC SEATS REAR ENTRY AND BRAKE LIGHTS, INDICATE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WARRANTY COVERS THE REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE 1998 320 CLK? WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?
NHTSA complaint #720630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TRNSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, REPEATED FAILURE OF WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC SEATS REAR ENTRY AND BRAKE LIGHTS, INDICATE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WARRANTY COVERS THE REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE 1998 320 CLK? WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?
NHTSA complaint #720630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND TWICE IN THE CITY THE CAR SURGED: FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED AND THE CAR SPED UP-UNTIL I BRAKED.
NHTSA complaint #701646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.