FaultScore report
Owners have filed 45 complaints about the 1999 Mercedes Benz 320 with NHTSA between 1998 and 2014. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 9 worst.
FaultScore 46/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz 320.
How this is worked out45
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
50,500 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
17%
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.
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 39,500 mi
Median failure at 59,463 miles
Median failure at 51,000 miles
Median failure at 36,100 miles
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Median failure at 16,250 miles
Median failure at 50,000 miles
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SMOKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THEN TWO MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10055363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED THEN DOWNSHIFTED (1ST) WHILE DRIVING. BRAKES ENGAGED. CAR CAME TO VIOLENT HALT , THEN CAR AND PASSENGERS WERE LURCHED BACK & FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT OPERATOR INPUT, RPMS ERRATIC UNTIL KEY REMOVED. FREEWAY INCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN FATALITIES. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, MFG DENIED SIMILAR CLAIMS, SEE NHTSA ITEM # SB605899. TRAUMA OF EVENT HAS RESULTED IN INABILITY TO DRIVE VEHICLE (CONCERN FOR SAFETY AND FEAR OF REOCCURANCE).
NHTSA complaint #713182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED THEN DOWNSHIFTED (1ST) WHILE DRIVING. BRAKES ENGAGED. CAR CAME TO VIOLENT HALT , THEN CAR AND PASSENGERS WERE LURCHED BACK & FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT OPERATOR INPUT, RPMS ERRATIC UNTIL KEY REMOVED. FREEWAY INCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN FATALITIES. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, MFG DENIED SIMILAR CLAIMS, SEE NHTSA ITEM # SB605899. TRAUMA OF EVENT HAS RESULTED IN INABILITY TO DRIVE VEHICLE (CONCERN FOR SAFETY AND FEAR OF REOCCURANCE).
NHTSA complaint #713182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN
THIS IS A CORRECTION TO THE SUBMISSION MADE EARLIER THIS MORNING. JUST LIKE THE GM CARS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING RECALLED, MY CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A LIMITED ACCESS ROAD. FORTUNATELY FOR MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE, AND THERE WAS A WIDE SHOULDER. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR, WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED. THE MECHANIC KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT WAS WRONG, AND THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED TO A MERCEDES HE REPAIRED THE WEEK BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #10568001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT NIGHT AT AROUND 50 MPH; THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND A SOUND OF METAL BEING THROWN AROUND UNDER THE CAR. THE SOUND CAME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THEN AFTER A LOUD THUMP THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY NOISE. THE CAR DIDN'T FEEL THE SAME AFTER THAT. AFTER PULLING OVER AND CHECKING THE PASSENGER SIDE, YOU COULD SEE THAT THE CAR WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND, THE WHEELS TOUCHED THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE NEXT MORNING AFTER JACKING THE CAR UP THE SPRING WAS NO LONGER IN THE CAR, AND THE ENTIRE UPPER ASSEMBLY OF THE SPRING SETUP WAS COMPLETELY TORN OFF. AFTER LOOKING CLOSE YOU SEE THAT THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF RUST WHERE THE METAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECTED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT AND WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THAT THE COIL SPRING PERCH WAS POORLY PROTECTED IN MY MODEL OF MERCEDES. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10535730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED TO MY 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320 SEDAN. THE "INCIDENT" INVOLVES THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING PERCH FAILURE. IF IT WERE NOT FOR AN INSPECTION RELATED TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, MY MECHANIC WAS SURE THAT A SERIOUS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GLEEN FROM MERCEDES BENZ OWNER WEBSITES, THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES AND YET MB HAS NOT ORDERED A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10152053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THIS WAS DUE TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WITH THE TURN SIGNAL OR HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE USED. UPDATED 03/17/06.
NHTSA complaint #10151333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR. THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THERE WAS AN EXYREMELY LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR WAS JARRED. THE BATTERY IS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THIS IS WHERE THE INFANT SEATS ARE LOCATED BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE MY GRAND CHILDREN ARE REQUIRED TO RIDE. FORTUNATELY, THEY WERE NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE REPLACED THE BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #10116733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE CLAMP OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE CAUSE HAS HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10113506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FLIES OFF THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. I OWN A MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP. THERE HAVE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF FAILURES AND SOMEONE WILL DIE WHEN THEY LOSE THEIR STEERING.MERCEDES IS NOT COVERING THESE FAILURESOUT OF WARRANTY. IT AFFECTS ALL V-6 ENGINES FROM 96-2003 . CALL ANY DEALER PARTS DEPT. AND ASK HOW OFTEN THEY SELL ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10060759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SMOKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THEN TWO MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10055363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10053593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED THAT THE FOUR WINDOW CLUSTERS FOR ALL THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE REPLACED TO GET THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO OPERATE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY ALL FOUR WINDOW CLUSTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE HOSES/CLAMPS, AND CONNECTORS. THE LEAKS APPEARED MORE FREQUENTLY DURING THE WINTER SEASON WHICH CAUSED THE METAL TO EXPAND. THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10038041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED THAT THE FOUR WINDOW CLUSTERS FOR ALL THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE REPLACED TO GET THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO OPERATE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY ALL FOUR WINDOW CLUSTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE HOSES/CLAMPS, AND CONNECTORS. THE LEAKS APPEARED MORE FREQUENTLY DURING THE WINTER SEASON WHICH CAUSED THE METAL TO EXPAND. THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10038041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PER CONSUMER VEHICLE IS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL WHILE DRIVING , ESPECIALLY ON LONG TRIPS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10026631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE USES A QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE WILL BURN OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10024651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE IN PARK, THE BATTERY EXPLODED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *MR WHILE PARKED, THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THAT THE HOPPECKE BATTERY UNDER THE REAR SEAT WAS CRACKED AND BROKEN AND SETTING IN A POOL OF ACID WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR THE ACID SMELL AT THE TIME OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE INCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10022524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE LOCKS WILL RATCHET UP AND DOWN WHEN AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO USE REMOTE LOCKING DEVICE. THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN 2 LOCKS REPLACED ON THIS UNIT IN THE PREVIOUS SIX -EIGHT MONTHS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT DAIMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH SAME, BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE LOCK REMAINS IN THE LOCKING POSITION AFTER IT COMPLETES A NUMBER OF CYCLES AND MUST BE LOCKED MANUALLY. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT DAIMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LOCKS ON THIS PARTICULAR UNIT AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS THE VEHICLE IS TIED UP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS WITH EACH OCCURRENCE. **** DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****728303. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10006345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE BATTERY AND AIR BAG EXPLODED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. (LAWYER, TREVOR GRIMM, ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *AK
NHTSA complaint #10010019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE BATTERY AND AIR BAG EXPLODED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. (LAWYER, TREVOR GRIMM, ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *AK
NHTSA complaint #10010019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LOSS OF CONTROL OF ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE RUNS TO 1000 RPM, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE.
NHTSA complaint #758732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON CONTIUOUSLY;AIR BAGS NOT ON;9/26/01 THE DEALERSHIP ALLEGEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR $136.80; TWO DAYS LATER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTED; RETURNED AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD THAT A PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SAIRBAG(THE OTHER PROBLEM INVOLVED THE LEFT AIRBAG); ON OCT 18 RETURNED FOR THIRD TIME TO HAVE PROBLEM CORRECTED;THEY ALLEGEDLY HAVE FIXED PROBLEM, CHARGING ME $329.60 (THEY PAID FOR PART AFTER I COMPLAINED). I FEEL THIS WAS DEFECTIVE AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON AN $80,000. VEHICLE.MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD RESPONDIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #753740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TRANSMISSION LEAKS OIL/GAS PEDAL IS VERY STIFF & HARD TO PRESS/ DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN USING REMOTE CONTROL/ REAR WASHER HOSE TO REAR WIPER HAD TO BE REPLACED/THERE IS NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AND DISC BACKING PLATE IS BENT AND BRAKE PEDAL IS STIFF WHEN TRYING TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #873637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TRANSMISSION LEAKS OIL/GAS PEDAL IS VERY STIFF & HARD TO PRESS/ DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN USING REMOTE CONTROL/ REAR WASHER HOSE TO REAR WIPER HAD TO BE REPLACED/THERE IS NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AND DISC BACKING PLATE IS BENT AND BRAKE PEDAL IS STIFF WHEN TRYING TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #873637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
TRANSMISSION LEAKS OIL/GAS PEDAL IS VERY STIFF & HARD TO PRESS/ DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN USING REMOTE CONTROL/ REAR WASHER HOSE TO REAR WIPER HAD TO BE REPLACED/THERE IS NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AND DISC BACKING PLATE IS BENT AND BRAKE PEDAL IS STIFF WHEN TRYING TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #873637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
TRANSMISSION LEAKS OIL/GAS PEDAL IS VERY STIFF & HARD TO PRESS/ DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN USING REMOTE CONTROL/ REAR WASHER HOSE TO REAR WIPER HAD TO BE REPLACED/THERE IS NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AND DISC BACKING PLATE IS BENT AND BRAKE PEDAL IS STIFF WHEN TRYING TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #873637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TRANSMISSION LEAKS OIL/GAS PEDAL IS VERY STIFF & HARD TO PRESS/ DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN USING REMOTE CONTROL/ REAR WASHER HOSE TO REAR WIPER HAD TO BE REPLACED/THERE IS NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AND DISC BACKING PLATE IS BENT AND BRAKE PEDAL IS STIFF WHEN TRYING TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #873637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FUEL GUAGE DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECT LEVELS OF FUEL. DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT THREE TIMES WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK REAR SEATS CAN NOT BE UNLATCHED TO USE CARGO AREA AND TO RELOCK PROPERLY. EXTERIOR TRIM IS FALLING OFF THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE RATTLES FROM REAR. A/C DOES NOT COOL UNLESS THE RECIRCULATORY SYSTEM IS ON. SUN ROOF HAVE FOLLEN OUT. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND NOISY. THE LATCHING MECHANISM ON THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY DUE TO RECALL. THE OWNER NOTIFIED OFTHE RECALL AND THE DEALER FIXED (99V-328).
NHTSA complaint #866395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.