Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2008 Mercedes Benz E320 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 16 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 — 7
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz E320. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2008 compares with every other Mercedes Benz E320
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Mercedes Benz E320
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
538.5%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Suspension
323.1%
Median failure at 155,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
215.4%
Median failure at 90,500 miles
Steering
215.4%
Median failure at 121,291 miles
Body & Structure
17.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
660.0%
150,000+ miles
220.0%
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.
Oct 2010peak 2May 2026
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Boca Raton, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
The vehicle previously underwent a sunroof recall repair; however, the repair appears to have been performed improperly. The sunroof seal was never replaced as required, which has resulted in ongoing water intrusion. The vehicle now shows two visible areas on the body with paint bubbling and surface rust consistent with water penetration and moisture retention caused by a failed or defective sunroof seal. The condition indicates long term exposure to water due to inadequate sealing following the recall service.
NHTSA complaint #11738899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesRichmond, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed turbo valve and a failed exhaust system. The contact was informed that the turbo valve and the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11558837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesRichmond, CA
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed turbo valve and a failed exhaust system. The contact was informed that the turbo valve and the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11558837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11497474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesEl Sobrante, CA
ENGINE
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 repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11495682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesLakeville, PA
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
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 the failure that occurred on the vehicle is related to that repair. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #11421703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesLakeville, PA
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM:LINES AND FITTINGS
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 the failure that occurred on the vehicle is related to that repair. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #11421703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,291 milesEverett, WA
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10993903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,291 milesEverett, WA
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10993903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,396 milesBellmore, NY
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10950014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesPalmdale, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 NHTSA AND A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN GA. WE FEEL MB IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #10661638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesGaithersburg, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10644743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Lauderdale, FL
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10360126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.