207 of the
1,516 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz E320
are about the electrical system —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
The sunroof has a recall due to the fact that it has a bad seal, which could fly off due to this issue. I know the seal is bad because the whole roof leaked a few years ago and fried all the electronic; e.g. lights, sunroof controls, trunk light controls, side door controls. I went to the dealership and they said they would not fix it because they could not open the sunroof to see the manufacturer date on it.
NHTSA complaint #11586834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The glue around front windshield has deteriorated and has caused major damage to my interior lights, electrical essemblys , interior damage to seats , dash board and flooring. Including the trunk seal is also deteriorated and causing the battery to stop working and has made my car non drivable.
NHTSA complaint #11563988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The TRUNK will not open. It is supposed to open by pressing the button on the key fob or taking the thin key out of the key fob and manually open the truck with the keyed lock. Neither method works. There is absolutely no way to open the trunk otherwise (i.e. inside button or lever). When the key fob button and the thin key do not work there is absolutely no way to open the truck. There is no way to access the lock from the trunk lid rear and there is no way to access the trunk from behind the back seat cushions. It is a very bad situation and dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11560575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
*1. The Fuel Tank and components and/or system failed or malfunctioned. *2. After filling the gas tank, the odor of strong pungent gasoline fumes fills the cabin of the and lingers for some time in the car and garage until the gasoline level goes down after being driven for a few miles. *3The car has been taken to a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center and was told that the problem was the gas tank and system/components. *4.The car was inspected by a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center Mechanic *5. There were NO warning lamps or messages on the dashboard or message center on car. The only symptoms of the problem was the strong odor of gasoline fumes after fuel fill ups.
NHTSA complaint #11510219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driver seatbelt exploded while buckled up as the car was going about 30 mph on a 4 lane street. No warning and was very traumatic. I had to pull over when I smelled something burning. When I released seatbelt to get out of the car it would not buckle up when I tried to get back in the seat. Had to drive home without seatbelt on Christmas Eve. The same thing happened a month later to the passenger seatbelt when I was a passenger in my car. This was very traumatic while driving down a 4 lane Avenue.
NHTSA complaint #11504083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
October 26, 2022 my 2004 Mercedes model E320 W211 VIN # [XXX] dash pop out warning " Brake Wearing visit workshop" October 27, 2022 I had the brake pads and wear sensors both replaced and test drive verified car running normal for 30 minutes then dash pop out RED warning "Brake malfunction stop vehicle" plus transmission shifter stick to parking port can not be shift to other position, so can not drive and car being forced to stop on the road, I managed to press the lock off so can shift out of parking but there has no brake function when driving, I called MB USA and being advised that my car qualified to 25 years extended warranty for SBC hydraulic pump repair, 2005070007 2005110001 but when I tow my car to Mercedes dealer they said it only repair the Recall: 2020040011 - Sliding Roof Bonding - Phase 2, but the SBC Hydraulic pump may be at additional service charges, Please help investigate why Mercedes USA said it is under 25 years extended warranty while dealer said it might not qualify? car can not drive because of the SBC hydraulic pump problem and defected the driving safety? Best Regards/[XXX] email: [XXX] tel: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11491955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Everytime I get in my car, the battery is dead! I have purchased several brand new batteries, and the same thing! I purchased a new battery, and my wife and I went on vacation, and as we was headed back home, we began to smell a real foul oder! We stop to the gas station, and looked everywhere, but didn't see anything! As we continue to drive, and turned in the drive way the battery light came on! I opened the trunk, and there was the foul smell, and the battery was so hot it could have caught fire, luckily we was home
NHTSA complaint #11484657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle will flood after being exposed to rain which has caused all sorts of electrical issues. I have read online where several others have filed lawsuits regarding E class Mercedes for similar issues. The car’s interior will take on water and since there’s several electrical components running along the floor board of the car they will become damaged and cause the car’s computers and electrical system to go crazy. I picked up my car from having the oil changed at a local service shop a few days after it was repaired and I was driving back home after the service pick up and the car completely lost power. I got out of the car and opened the trunk in which I had to do so by using the key inside of the key fob. When I opened the trunk, I noticed that there was a little bit of water in the trunk which led me to open the back door and to my surprise there was standing water behind the driver seat. I checked the driver floor and it was soaked as well. I had the car towed back to the shop where I had the oil changed and the owner did not have the available equipment to test the car. I dried the car out over the next several days and drove to a local Mercedes dealership where they told me to do a full diagnostic on the car it would cost upwards of $19k. Are you kidding me? Now I know from reading others stories that this isn’t an unknown issue. So, what do I do now…file an insurance claim? I guess that would be the next step but they’ll turn around and get the money right back out of me by raising my policy rates. This is terrible. My car is a 2004 E320 with just under 65k miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11427255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION FALLING OFF - COPPER WIRES EXPOSED AND MAY RESULT IN SHORT AND ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.*DT CONSUMER STATED WIRING IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT MERCEDES HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT FOR MANY YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #11288779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY. COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE IN 10-15 MINUTES. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT INDUCED THE FIRE BUT UNABLE TO BE SURE. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD MAINTENANCE, NO ENGINE WORK HAD BEEN DONE RECENTLY. LAST REPAIR WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACEMENT AFTER REPAIRING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK IN EARLY DECEMBER 2018
NHTSA complaint #11174621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE POWER WINDOWS BECAME INOPERATIVE, AS WELL AS THE HORN AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND WAS UNABLE TO BE STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED SEVERAL TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11140812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ FORT WAYNE (7227 WEST JEFFERSON BOULEVARD, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA 46804, (877) 455-9123) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,200.
NHTSA complaint #11139398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SO IT WAS CHARGED THEN RECONNECTED, EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO ON POSITION EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO START AND BANG! LOUD BANG AND WHITE SMOKE EVERYWHERE, ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER EXPLOSION, HOLE IN FRONT OF ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11128362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF RF BEING EMITTED INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE LEVEL IS SO HIGH IT PUSHES PULSED RF WAVES AGAINST AN ALUMINUM EMERGENCY BLANKET THAT WAS SET UP TO IDENTIFY WHICH DIRECTION IT WAS COMING FROM. THIS METHOD SHOWED IT IS COMING FROM MULTIPLE DIRECTION WITHIN THE CABIN. THIS IS WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND WINDOWS ROLLED UP. ALSO LF L LEAVE THE CAR AND COME BACK WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE THE CLIMATE INSIDE WILL KNOCK ME OUT, OR MAKE ME VERY SLEEPY. I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WALK 50 TO 70 FEET AWAY FROM IT TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING IF L CATCH IT IN TIME. MOST OF THE TIME L DO NOT AND SOMEONE IS USING THIS DEFECT TO STEAL ITEMS FROM THE CAR, DESTROY THE INTERIOR AD ALONG WITH A HOST OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WHILE L AM PASSED OUT INSIDE.BECAUSE THIS DANGEROUS ACTIVITY HAPPENS 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME THE RF MAY BE REMOTELY CONTROLLED. ALSO L HAVE ALMOST BEEN KNOCKED OUT WHILE DRIVING ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THANKS TO JESUS CHRIST L WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND RECOVER. IN ADDITION THE RF WILL ISOLATE AND FREEZE DIFFERENT BODY PARTS INDIVIDUALLY SIMILAR TO THE THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE OF COOL SCULPTING. MULTIPLE POLICE REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED. THE CAR MARKER WAS NOTIFIED BY PHONE BUT REFUSE TO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11066957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR IS BEING HACKED INTO BY MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS ACROSS TRIPLE CITIES. THE HACKERS ARE ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS, SHIFT GEARS, TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CONTROL THE RADIO AND CD PLAYER, OPEN THE HOOD TO STEAL OIL AND CONTROL THE COMPLETE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAR. INCLUDING TURNING ON THE CABIN LIGHTS, BLACKING OUT THE ODOMETER ALONG WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF WHEN DESIRED THIS INCLUDES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. BECAUSE THEY CAN UNLOCK THE DOORS AND ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE HOOD AND GAS DOOR. THIS ALLOWED THEM TO BREAK THE RADIATOR, DAMAGE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND STEAL GAS. ALSO SINCE THE HACKERS HAVE ACCESS THEY HAVE DESTROYED THE DRIVERS SEAT, CRACK THE WOOD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DOOR TRIM, REMOVED THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT DOORS, AND DESTROYED THE CENTER ARM REST. THE RF FIELD IS CONTROLLED BY THEM, AND LOUD CRACKING SOUNDS ARE REMOTELY INTRODUCED WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND KEY REMOVED. THE TELE- AID IS ALSO ACTIVITIES REMOTELY ON OCCASION AS WELL. THE FBI HAS BEEN NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL ALONG WITH THE CAR MAKER WHO TOLD ME NOT TO CONTACT THEM AGAIN. THREE DEALERSHIPS CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND NONE KNEW HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. MERCEDES BENZ IN GERMANY WAS NOTIFIED BY EMAI AND SAID MERCEDES USA HAS MY INFORMATION I'M THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THIS WAS OVER 2 YEARS AGO WITH NO CONTACT FROM THEM REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO REACH THEM BY PHONE VIA CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS FAILED. MULTIPLE POLICE REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH SEVERAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #11066980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS HAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND IS SITTING IN A PILE OF BITS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, LITERALLY LEAVING COMPLETELY BARE WIRES LEADING UP TO THE HEADLAMP SOCKETS. IF THESE WIRES WERE TO TOUCH AND SHORT OUT IT COULD RESULT IN COMPLETE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE A BURNED OUT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB. OTHER SUCH WIRING IN THE VEHICLE MIGHT ALSO HAVE DETERIORATED OR DISINTEGRATED BUT NOT YET BEEN DISCOVERED, WITH ATTENDANT RISKS OF DAMAGE TO OTHER EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE PARTS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, OR RISK OF FIRE OR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10967912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS HACKED INTO ELECTRONICALLY. THE BRAKES, AIR BAGS, RADIO, AND ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WERE ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED, INCLUDING THE VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,514.
NHTSA complaint #10939886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.