Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2009 Mercedes Benz E320 with NHTSA between 2009 and 2020.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 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 — 6
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 — 43
25% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 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 2009 Mercedes Benz E320
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
436.4%
Median failure at 47,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
327.3%
Median failure at 93,909 miles
Lights
19.1%
Median failure at 85,600 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
19.1%
Median failure at 64,818 miles
Body & Structure
19.1%
Electrical System
19.1%
Median failure at 2,302 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
225.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
112.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
337.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
112.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
112.5%
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.
Dec 2009peak 2Jan 2020
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Southport, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
CHECKING ON UNREPAIRED RECALL NHTSA#19V91832/RECALL#2019120012. THIS RECALL DESCRIBED AS PROBLEM WITH BONDING BETWEEN GLASS PANEL AND THE SLIDING ROOF FRAME, WHICH COULD LEAD IN SEPARATION OF THE GLASS PANEL FROM THE VEHICLE. I INTERPRET THIS TO BE THE SUNROOF GLASS DETACHING FROM THE FRAME ENDANGERING OTHERS. THIS RECALL APPEARS TO BE OPEN ON MY VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS THUS FAR.
NHTSA complaint #11296704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,818 milesChandler, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE HESITATION WAS PERSISTENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INLET PORT SHUTOFF MOTOR AND LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,818.
NHTSA complaint #10927283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,818 milesChandler, AZ
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE HESITATION WAS PERSISTENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INLET PORT SHUTOFF MOTOR AND LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,818.
NHTSA complaint #10927283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesCincinnati, OH
ENGINE
THE OIL COOLER ON THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL. THIS IS A LARGE, 15 HOUR REPAIR, THE TOTAL ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE COOLER AND SEALS IS $2350. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS REPAIR DONE YET. ALSO HAD OTHER OIL SEALS REPLACED IN THE TURBO AREA OF THE ENGINE WHICH COST ME $989.91.
NHTSA complaint #10778933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesBurien, WA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LEAK FROM THE SEAL ON FUEL PUMP IN THE FUEL TANK. SMALL PAD OF FUEL ON A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. ODOR SMELL WITH A/C ON.
NHTSA complaint #10695145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,600 milesBayville, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS CHANGING LANES AND WENT TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER IS A PLASTIC(YES PLASTIC) ROD THAT OPENS THE INTAKE TO INITIATE TURBO BOOST. THE FACT THAT HIS ROD IS MADE OF PLASTIC THAT CAN BREAK SO EASILY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL IS DANGEROUS. MERCEDES BENZ IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE A QUALITY CAR THAT IS VERY COSTLY AND IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT IT IS MADE SO SHODDY CREATING A FALSE SENSE OF SAFETY AND QUALITY. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND NOW HAVE TO FIX THIS JUNK.
NHTSA complaint #10654777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,600 milesGermantown, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK THAT GOES TO THE REAR BRAKE AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS FAILED AND OPENS THE TRUNK FAILED. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE OR THE BUTTON IN THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY WAS TO USE THE VALET KEY. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING IN THE DASH ABOUT ALL OF THESE LIGHTS BEING OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE GROUND WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE TRUNK LINER AND THE TRUNK LID HAD BROKEN DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10558042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
League City, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DEAR OFFICER, FROM THE BEGINNING (2010 AUGUST, 0 MILEAGE, MB E320) THE CAR HAS A CHEMICAL SMELL. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WILL GO AWAY. HOWEVER, IN FEW MONTHS IT BECAME THE MOST AWFUL CHEMICAL SMELL (IT IS NOT MOLD, DIESEL FUEL OR EXHAUST). THIS EXTREMELY PENETRATING CHEMICAL(S) IS/ARE COMING FROM CARPET. VENTING/AIR-RECIRCULATION INCREASES CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION IN THE COMPARTMENT TO EXTREME LEVELS. THE CHEMICAL(S) IS/ARE DEFINITIVELY TOXIC GIVE STRONG HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, CAUSE NAUSEA, VOMITING, LIGHT-HEADEDNESS, CAUSE AND ACTIVATE ASTHMA (PERSONAL COMPLAINS) AND OTHER PROBLEMS (GOOGLE SEARCH). DETERIORATION COMPONENTS OF SYNTHETIC ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ARE KNOWN INDUCERS OF CARCINOGENESIS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON HEALTH ISSUES. BASED ON GOOGLE SEARCH CHEMICALS IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT ARE COMMON PROBLEMS OF MERCEDES, VOLKSWAGEN AND BMW. THE DEALERSHIP REP AGREED WIT CHEMICAL SMELL. THEY OFFER CHEMICAL/DEODORIZER TREATMENT WHAT I AM HESITANT TO ACCEPT AS CHEMICAL ODOR REAPPEAR IN FEW WEEKS (GOOGLE SEARCH). ALSO MANY CHEMICAL DEODORIZER' ARE TOXIC (U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION). BASED ON GOOGLE SEARCH THE SOUND PROOFING UNDER THE CARPET IS THE SOURCE AS IT DECOMPOSE IN THESE VEHICLES AND RELEASE THE TOXIC CHEMICAL. DEALERSHIP AGREES THE SOURCE OF CHEMICALS BUT THEY DO NOT AGREE TO CHANGE SOUND PROOFING (ALTHOUGH THEY ADMIT THIS COMMON PROBLEM IN MERCEDES). I RESPECTFULLY ASK NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AT U S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO INVESTIGATE THIS HEALTH ISSUE CAUSED BY DECOMPOSITION OF SOUND PROOFING. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SEVERELY EFFECTING SAFETY OF DRIVING AND IMPORTANTLY WELL-BEING OF US CITIZENS. SINCERELY, ON BEHALF OF MANY US CITIZENS.
NHTSA complaint #10444776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
League City, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DEAR OFFICER, FROM THE BEGINNING (2010 AUGUST, 0 MILEAGE, MB E320) THE CAR HAS A CHEMICAL SMELL. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WILL GO AWAY. HOWEVER, IN FEW MONTHS IT BECAME THE MOST AWFUL CHEMICAL SMELL (IT IS NOT MOLD, DIESEL FUEL OR EXHAUST). THIS EXTREMELY PENETRATING CHEMICAL(S) IS/ARE COMING FROM CARPET. VENTING/AIR-RECIRCULATION INCREASES CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION IN THE COMPARTMENT TO EXTREME LEVELS. THE CHEMICAL(S) IS/ARE DEFINITIVELY TOXIC GIVE STRONG HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, CAUSE NAUSEA, VOMITING, LIGHT-HEADEDNESS, CAUSE AND ACTIVATE ASTHMA (PERSONAL COMPLAINS) AND OTHER PROBLEMS (GOOGLE SEARCH). DETERIORATION COMPONENTS OF SYNTHETIC ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ARE KNOWN INDUCERS OF CARCINOGENESIS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON HEALTH ISSUES. BASED ON GOOGLE SEARCH CHEMICALS IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT ARE COMMON PROBLEMS OF MERCEDES, VOLKSWAGEN AND BMW. THE DEALERSHIP REP AGREED WIT CHEMICAL SMELL. THEY OFFER CHEMICAL/DEODORIZER TREATMENT WHAT I AM HESITANT TO ACCEPT AS CHEMICAL ODOR REAPPEAR IN FEW WEEKS (GOOGLE SEARCH). ALSO MANY CHEMICAL DEODORIZER' ARE TOXIC (U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION). BASED ON GOOGLE SEARCH THE SOUND PROOFING UNDER THE CARPET IS THE SOURCE AS IT DECOMPOSE IN THESE VEHICLES AND RELEASE THE TOXIC CHEMICAL. DEALERSHIP AGREES THE SOURCE OF CHEMICALS BUT THEY DO NOT AGREE TO CHANGE SOUND PROOFING (ALTHOUGH THEY ADMIT THIS COMMON PROBLEM IN MERCEDES). I RESPECTFULLY ASK NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AT U S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO INVESTIGATE THIS HEALTH ISSUE CAUSED BY DECOMPOSITION OF SOUND PROOFING. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SEVERELY EFFECTING SAFETY OF DRIVING AND IMPORTANTLY WELL-BEING OF US CITIZENS. SINCERELY, ON BEHALF OF MANY US CITIZENS.
NHTSA complaint #10444776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,302 milesMclean, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 HIGHWAY STALLINGS: 1) DEC.1. 2009 TRAVELING ON I-95 SOUTH AT 70MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED, MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER. CAR TOWED TO BENZ DEALER 90 MILES AWAY. THEY CHANGED A NEW FUEL PUMP IN CHARLESTON, SC. CONTINUED DRIVING ON 2) DEC.3,2009, AFTER 400+ MILES ON I-95 SOUTH AT 70MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AGAIN, MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER. CAR TOWED TO BENZ DEALER IN MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. THEY CHANGED ANOTHER FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. NOW I AM DRIVING WITH MY FINGER CROSSED.
NHTSA complaint #10296303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,302 milesMclean, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
2 HIGHWAY STALLINGS: 1) DEC.1. 2009 TRAVELING ON I-95 SOUTH AT 70MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED, MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER. CAR TOWED TO BENZ DEALER 90 MILES AWAY. THEY CHANGED A NEW FUEL PUMP IN CHARLESTON, SC. CONTINUED DRIVING ON 2) DEC.3,2009, AFTER 400+ MILES ON I-95 SOUTH AT 70MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AGAIN, MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER. CAR TOWED TO BENZ DEALER IN MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. THEY CHANGED ANOTHER FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. NOW I AM DRIVING WITH MY FINGER CROSSED.
NHTSA complaint #10296303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.