Owners have filed 109 complaints
about the 1999 Mercedes Benz E320 with NHTSA between 2000 and 2019.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 16 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 58
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz E320. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
29.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 16
9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1999 compares with every other Mercedes Benz E320
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.
Under 1,000 miles
22.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
11.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
79.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2027.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1317.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2229.7%
150,000+ miles
912.2%
When owners complained
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.
Feb 2000peak 8Aug 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Mercedes Benz E320
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE07021Opened 19 Apr 2007Closed 9 Aug 2007SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTION
ODI HAS FOCUSED THIS INVESTIGATION ON ASSESSING THE RISKS POSED BY A SEPARATED SPRING AS (1) A ROAD HAZARD AND (2) THE POTENTIAL FOR VEHICLE CONTROL TO BE COMPROMISED AFTER THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BEEN EJECTED FROM ITS INTENDED POSITION IN THE VEHICLE.BOTH RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CORROSION, FLEXING, AND FRACTURE OF THE UPPER FRONT SUSPENSION MOUNTING BRACKET.TIME-IN-SERVICE FAILURE RATES ARE NOTABLY HIGHER IN SALT BELT STATES SINCE CORROSION IS A PRIMARY CONTRIBUTOR TO THE FAILURE MODE.SINCE A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, ODI IS SKEPTICAL THAT OWN...
PE03058Opened 17 Dec 2003Closed 22 Apr 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 125,000 milesGreenwich, CT1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDERS, WHICH REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINT AND DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF GREENWICH, 261 WEST PUTNAM AVE, GREENWICH, CT) WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #11173568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesGreenwich, CT1 injured
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDERS, WHICH REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINT AND DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF GREENWICH, 261 WEST PUTNAM AVE, GREENWICH, CT) WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #11173568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesJacksonville, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8/31/18 IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE (FROM A FIRE BUT NO FLAME WAS SEEN) I HAD TO OPEN ALL WINDOWS TO BREATH AND SEE. MY HOME WAS WITHIN SIGHT SO I DROVE TO THE MIDDLE OF MY LAWN AWAY FROM ANY BUILDING, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. I AS QUICKLY AS POSABLE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11133310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesHarrington Park, NJ1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER SIDE SRS AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY. NOT RELATED TO ANY COLLISION OR ACCIDENT. CAR WAS STOPPED, IN PARK, WHEN DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BANGING INTO THE DRIVER LEFT SIDE AND ARM. IF THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STOPPED, THE DRIVER PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISE TO THE LEFT SIDE AND LEFT ARM
NHTSA complaint #10380807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesMontgomery, VTFire
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT WHERE IT WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AN INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED SOMETHING HAPPENED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SAY SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT WAS. UPDATED 02/28/11
NHTSA complaint #10376485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesMontgomery, VTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT WHERE IT WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AN INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED SOMETHING HAPPENED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SAY SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT WAS. UPDATED 02/28/11
NHTSA complaint #10376485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 180,000 milesOpelousas, LA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER, PASSENGER, CEILING, AND BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11246612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesGreenwich, CT1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDERS, WHICH REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINT AND DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF GREENWICH, 261 WEST PUTNAM AVE, GREENWICH, CT) WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #11173568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesGreenwich, CT1 injured
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDERS, WHICH REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINT AND DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF GREENWICH, 261 WEST PUTNAM AVE, GREENWICH, CT) WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #11173568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesJacksonville, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8/31/18 IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE (FROM A FIRE BUT NO FLAME WAS SEEN) I HAD TO OPEN ALL WINDOWS TO BREATH AND SEE. MY HOME WAS WITHIN SIGHT SO I DROVE TO THE MIDDLE OF MY LAWN AWAY FROM ANY BUILDING, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. I AS QUICKLY AS POSABLE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11133310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,899 milesLAS Vegas, NV
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL SRS LIGHT ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
NHTSA complaint #11083130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,899 milesLAS Vegas, NV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TAKATA RECALL SRS LIGHT ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
NHTSA complaint #11083130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granada Hills, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL AND THE SMELL OF THE GAS IS REALLY BAD FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF FUEL TANK LEAKS ON MODEL YEAR 2003-08 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS VEHICLES SHOWS ME THAT THE E-CALLS HAS THIS ISSUE BUT MY CAR IS A 1999. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WAS THE YEAR BASED SOLELY ON THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY OR OTHER FACTS ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #11002894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granada Hills, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL AND THE SMELL OF THE GAS IS REALLY BAD FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF FUEL TANK LEAKS ON MODEL YEAR 2003-08 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS VEHICLES SHOWS ME THAT THE E-CALLS HAS THIS ISSUE BUT MY CAR IS A 1999. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WAS THE YEAR BASED SOLELY ON THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY OR OTHER FACTS ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #11002894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxford, OH
SUSPENSION
1999 E320 RIGHT FRONT UPPER COIL SPRING MOUNT ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM FRAME. THIS PROBLEM IS FREQUENT ON THIS MODEL AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL UNDER A FAILURE CONDITION. THE LEFT COIL SPRING CAP IS FINE, AS IT IS IN MOST CASES I'VE RESEARCHED. - I FOUND THIS PROBLEM JUST BEFORE IT BROKE WHILE REPLACING THE FRONT BRAKES, AND THIS PARTS FAILURE REQUIRES REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECTED AREA AND PARTS. THE REPAIR IS ~$550.00 AND IS A MUST TO USE THE CAR SAFELY. - MERCEDES BENZ CERTAINLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS FAILED TO AT LEAST NOTIFY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL THAT USERS EXPECT TO LAST FOR DECADES. THIS IS NOT A "NORMAL" PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10781492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,700 milesLebanon, NJ
AIR BAGS
I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, GOING ~5 MPH, WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION BY MY HEAD AND THE AIR CURTAINS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SELF-DEPLOYED. AFTER THAT MY HUSBAND, A MECHANIC, DEACTIVATED THE SRS USING THE SWITCH ON THE CONSOLE OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE AIR CURTAINS AND AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SELF-DEPLOYED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THEN ON OR ABOUT JULY 31, 2014, A CLEAR DAY, AROUND 8:30 A.M. WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION, THE SEATBELT RETRACTED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT CAUSED A PAINFUL BLOW TO HIS CHEST AND PINNED HIM INTO THE CAR. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. AT FIRST HE THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SHOT BECAUSE OF THE NOISE FROM THE EXPLOSION, IT WAS HARD TO BREATHE AND PAINFUL. HOWEVER, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, HE REALIZED IT WAS THE SEATBELT AND STRUGGLED TO RELEASE IT. THE SEATBELT PUT A GASH IN HIS LEFT SHOULDER THROUGH HIS CLOTHES. (WE HAVE PICTURES OF THE GASH.) IN ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS, WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD, WE HAVE NOT BEEN SPEEDING, AND, THEREFORE, DID NOT CALL THE POLICE. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT NO LONGER WORKS, AND DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE SEAT BELT WOULD VIOLATE A NEW JERSEY STATUTE. WE'RE ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE MORE AIRBAGS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF SPONTANEOUSLY SELF-DEPLOYING WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. WE'VE CONTACTED MERCEDES AND WERE TOLD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER AND PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS. WE FEEL THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED BY MERCEDES BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10669889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesNorfolk, VA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT NEAR THE REAR TIRE. I HAD IT FIXED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. I CURRENTLY HAVE A FUEL LEAK AT THE SAME PLACE. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 141,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10632475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesSpringfield, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE APPEARED TO BE LOWERED. AFTER TAKING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL OFF THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND THE SUSPENSION WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10615387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
MY CAR SKIDDED OF THE ROAD AFTER I TRIED TO BRAKE IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE TWO RIGHT WHEELS OF THE CAR WERE IN A PUDDLE. I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I WAS ON A RAMP APPROACHING HIGHWAY 101, AND I WAS NOT SPEEDING. IT WAS A REALLY SCARY MOMENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, AND THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE.
NHTSA complaint #10579072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,901 milesCharlotte, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
JUST LIKE THE GM CARS NOW BEING RECALLED, MY CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO BE REPAIRED---AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE IMMEDIATELY, AS THE MECHANIC HAD DONE TAKEN CAR OF A CAR THAT HAD THE IDENTICAL "PROBLEM" JUST THE WEEK BEFORE. PARTS REPLACED WERE L CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND AIR MASS METER.
NHTSA complaint #10568000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,832 milesUkiah, CA
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DEFLATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE WAS ADDED TO THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ALUMINUM WHEEL RIM WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,832. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10509129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,000 milesSnellsville, GA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
NHTSA complaint #10499556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,000 milesSnellsville, GA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
NHTSA complaint #10499556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Ramon, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, AN ABNORMAL HISSING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FILLER NECK. AS THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUEL PUMP HOSE FROM THE FILLER NECK VALVE, FUEL SPEWED FROM THE FILLER NECK ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,011.
NHTSA complaint #10459402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 218,556 milesMonument, CO
POWER TRAIN
AS I WAS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE ON THE ON RAMP MY REAR U JOINT ON FRONT DRIVE SHAFT CAME APART. SUBSEQUENTLY BOTH MY CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS WELL AS MY DRIVER FRONT DOOR AIR BAG. AS IT WAS CONSIDERED A MECHANICAL FAILURE MY INSURANCE WITH USAA DID NOT COVER ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10444917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 218,556 milesMonument, CO
AIR BAGS
AS I WAS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE ON THE ON RAMP MY REAR U JOINT ON FRONT DRIVE SHAFT CAME APART. SUBSEQUENTLY BOTH MY CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS WELL AS MY DRIVER FRONT DOOR AIR BAG. AS IT WAS CONSIDERED A MECHANICAL FAILURE MY INSURANCE WITH USAA DID NOT COVER ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10444917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesCranford, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY FORCE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10437869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,700 milesPhiladelphia, PA
SUSPENSION
FRONT SPRING PERCH: THIS COMPONENT IS HEAVILY CORRODED. IT STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY WORK. SPRING IS NOTICIBLY BENT AND TOUCHING THE STRUTS WHICH IS CAUSING GRINDING AND VIBRATION. SPRING IS VERY CLOSE TO FALLING OFF WHICH WILL CAUSE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR TO DROP WHICH I BELIEVE IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE PART FAILS WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE HAVE MERCEDES BENZ ISSUE A RECALL REGARDING THIS MATTER. I WOULD HATE FOR PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR LIVES IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED.
NHTSA complaint #10427963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesUniontown, PA
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ON THE TIRE WHEN THE SPRING PERCH THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED HE WAS NOT SURE IF HE COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND HE HAD TO ORDER THE REPAIR PARTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN UPDATED 09/21/11
NHTSA complaint #10415048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPotomac, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE SUSPENSION SPRING PERCH BROKEN AND SPRING COIL FELL OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10398188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesSinking Spring, PA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR THE BRAKES WHEN HE WAS INFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE SPRING PERCH ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RUST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #10390374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.