FaultScore

Mercedes Benz E320 engine problems

116 of the 1,516 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz E320 are about the engine — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

116

Complaints

8%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

6

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1994 E320 3 2.6%

Median failure at 156,254 miles

1995 E320 10 8.6%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

1996 E320 7 6.0%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

1997 E320 5 4.3%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

1998 E320 10 8.6%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

1999 E320 19 16.4%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

2000 E320 7 6.0%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

2001 E320 4 3.4%

Median failure at 75,012 miles

2002 E320 5 4.3%

Median failure at 95,992 miles

2003 E320 10 8.6%

Median failure at 91,000 miles

2004 E320 6 5.2%

Median failure at 128,286 miles

2005 E320 17 14.7%

Median failure at 62,700 miles

2007 E320 5 4.3%

Median failure at 127,500 miles

2008 E320 5 4.3%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

2009 E320 3 2.6%

Median failure at 93,909 miles

What owners said

2008 Mercedes Benz E320 at 120,000 miles Richmond, 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.

2008 Mercedes Benz E320 at 120,000 miles Richmond, 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.

2003 Mercedes Benz E320 Denton, TX

ENGINE

REPORT NUMBER: CAL-03-07 NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST

NHTSA complaint #11534246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mercedes Benz E320 Florissant, MO

ENGINE

*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.

2008 Mercedes Benz E320 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.

2008 Mercedes Benz E320 at 120,000 miles El 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.

2007 Mercedes Benz E320 at 100,000 miles Roswell, GA

ENGINE

OIL COOLER SEAL LEAKING GASKET CAUSING FIRE HAZARD

NHTSA complaint #11331296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mercedes Benz E320 at 150,000 miles Auburn, IN Fire

ENGINE

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.

2005 Mercedes Benz E320 at 12,300 miles Temecula, CA Fire

ENGINE

CAR SHUT OFF RANDOMLY BY GOING SAFE MODE WHILE DRIVING, CONSTANT BREAK WARNING IN BRIGHT RED " BREAK VISIT WORKSHOP" I WENT TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND A CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT, PROBLEM TO BE DETERMINED, CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I PURCHASED IT FROM THE USED CAR DEALER WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. THE CAR HAS HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, BOTH BATTERIES TWICE, ONE SHORT WAS FOUND IN FAULTY WIRING HARNESS IN TRUCK BEING PINCHED. THE DEALER WOULD DENY SBC UNIT RECALL EVERY TIME I CALLED FLETCHER JONES, AND ONLY GAVE ME THE OPTION TO PAY THEM FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THEN THEY WILL DETERMINE IF ITS FAULTY INSTEAD OF MY LIFE BEING RISKED AS WELL AS THOSE AROUND ME I FINALLY TRACKED DOWN THE NUMBER FOR CORPORATE AND I GOT CONFORMATION FROM MERCEDES CORPORATE SAY MY VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE LIST. THE CAR WOULD LEAVE ME WITHOUT BREAKS, POWER STEERING MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALWAYS WITHOUT NOTICE OCCURRING MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY. THE SBC UNIT WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY A SUPPOSED AUTHORIZED SHOP AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE HAD DRAINED THE BATTERIES YET AGAIN SO THE CAR WAS GARAGED AT MY PARENTS WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THAT LOCATION WHICH MAKES THIS WHOLE ORDEAL EVEN MORE OUTRAGEOUS DUE TO MERCEDES MAJOR LACK OF CONCERN WITH THIS AND THEY STILL WANT ME TO PAY THEM TO FIX IT BEFORE THEY WILL EVEN DECIDE TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE MANY DIFFERENT QUARTERLY REPORT PRINT OUTS AS WELL, OUT OF THE 100S OF 1000S DOCUMENTED TO POSSIBLE 2 MILLION TOTAL FAULTY CARS , MY CAR HAD ALMOST ALL OF DIFFERENT SAFETY ISSUES REPORTED. BOUGHT CAR @ 73K MI, CAUGHT FIRE, BLEW HOLE IN MANIFOLD @ 123K, JUST ISN'T RIGHT, SEEMS THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP TRUE AMOUNT OF FAULTY CARS IN US BY ASKING CONFIDENTIALITY BY NHTSA GRANTED BLACKED FILES ILLEGIBLE

NHTSA complaint #11143924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mercedes Benz E320 Houston, TX

ENGINE

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.

2005 Mercedes Benz E320 at 123,000 miles Temecula CA, CA Fire

ENGINE

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.

2005 Mercedes Benz E320 Elmont, NY

ENGINE

SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM.....FAIL EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM VENT CONTROL CIRCUIT.......FAIL

NHTSA complaint #11092102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mercedes Benz E320 at 140,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT STOPPING OR SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MADE A BEEPING SOUND AND THE STOP ENGINE AND BRAKE FAILURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CALLED (MERCEDES-BENZ OF BROOKLYN, NY, 718-258-5100) AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ABS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #11053362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercedes Benz E320 at 81,396 miles Bellmore, 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.

2004 Mercedes Benz E320 at 145,000 miles Johns Island, SC Crash

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD, WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND MY ESP CAME ON, VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND ALMOST RAN ME INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH THEN CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE DITCH. NOW I'M FINDING OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SBC UNIT, WHICH IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR, BUT THE RECALL IS NOT SHOWING UP FOR MY VIN NUMBER. I AM VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED/FRUSTRATED BY MERCEDES. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MY CAR, WHICH IS NOW SITTING DUE TO IT NOT STARTING, ESPECIALLY IF OTHER SAME YEAR VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED AND THEIRS IS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I THINK THE ENTIRE SITUATION IS RIDICULOUS! I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER MERCEDES!!!

NHTSA complaint #10948046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mercedes Benz E320 at 64,818 miles Chandler, 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.

2003 Mercedes Benz E320 at 174,000 miles Stockbridge, GA

ENGINE

RECENTLY ON TODAY 7-12-16 AT 174,000 MILES THE DISPLAY ON MY 2003 E320 4S MERCEDES BENZ ALL OF A SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AN ILLUMINATED MESSAGE IN BRIGHT WHITE : "BRAKE" SERVICE BRAKE VISIT WORKSHOP. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM EXHIBITED THIS MESSAGE. SHORTLY PRIOR TO THIS MESSAGING, I NOTICE MY BRAKES WERE MORE HARD TO APPLY PRESSURE,. I AM GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING FAST, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS TRAGEDY TO MYSELF AS WELL AS THOSE OTHERS ON THE EXPRESSWAY JUST A AS I WAS. 2. PROBLEM WITH MY GAS TANK AFTER I FILL THE TANK , THE GAS FUMES BECOME SO INTENSE AFTER PARKING THIS VEHICLE INSIDE MY GARAGE. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE A RECALL. IS THIS FUEL SAFETY HAZARD RECALL STILL IN EFFECT? IF SO, WHOM DO I CONTACT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME THE OWNER? 3. 4 MONTHS PRIOR IN MARCH 2016 I INCURRED A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN A MAJOR MONETARY EXPENSE OUT OF MY POCKETS ABOVE $5000. CAN THIS BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTUER SO I MAY BE ABLE TO BE REIMBURSED?

NHTSA complaint #10884444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Mercedes Benz E320 at 213,000 miles Niles, MI

ENGINE

WHILE TRYING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC (I94 IN MICHIGAN) I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO GAIN SPEED TO MERGE ONLY TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE LACKED ANY POWER, THE RPMS ROSE SLOWLY BUT THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO ACCELERATION. I WAS TOLD (BY MERCEDES DEALER) THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IN THIS CASE IT ALMOST CAUSED MY DEATH. IF THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WHY ARE OUR LIVES BEING PUT AT RISK BECAUSE OF A POORLY DESIGNED PART?

NHTSA complaint #10870938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mercedes Benz E320 Perry, FL

ENGINE

WHEN VEH. IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR JUST IN A PARKING LOT, IT STALLS OR WILL NOT START RIGHT AWAY. EVENTUALLY IT STARTS AND AWAY WE GO. NEVER A WARNING WHATSOEVER. ALL FLUIDS ARE FULL AND BATTERY IS GOOD. REC. FUEL(GAS) IS ALWAYS USED.

NHTSA complaint #10824424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Mercedes Benz E320 Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE

CAR WAS NOT STARTING BROUGHT TO MERCEDES DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR AND THE MECHANIC AND ADVISOR SHOWED ME THE WIRE HARNESS TOLD ME I SHOULD CHANGE IT IT IS BRITTLE AND I WILL HAVE FUTURE PROBLEMS I ONLY HAVE 60,000 MILES ON THIS VECHICLE

NHTSA complaint #10818056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mercedes Benz E320 problems