29 of the
1,516 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz E320
are about the steering —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2005.
My car passenger side control arm has dry rotted and cracked in half I noticed this because my car steering wheel has never turned all the way to the right side so as I pulled up to the store, I had got out my car to check to see what the problem was and come to find out that the lower control arm by the lower ball joint was cracked in half from the control arm
NHTSA complaint #11649473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
* Left front substrate to which the Coil Spring Perch mounts is badly rusted and the spring is about to come off under pressure of the cars weight, thereby endangering myself and the general public. The car was towed to Feldmann Imports, a Mercedes-Benz dealer at 4901 American Blvd west, Bloomington , MN 55437 (952) -641-7908 and can be inspected there. * If the spring perch loosens any further, the coil spring would shoot off and likely interfere with the steering system, fuel lines and any number of other components on the vehicle, also there have been reports of the spring going out of the car under pressure and hitting other objects. * Yes, My car was in for another matter at LaMettry's Collision Center, of Eden Prairie, MN for a (minor dent) and (Braden) of LaMettry's said upon inspection of the spring perch that the car was undrivable and could not be fixed. * Feldmann Imports is currently looking at my car and Feldmann said that I should call Mercedes-Benz USA which my Brother-in-Law [XXX] did for me and is waiting for a call back. * There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the discovery by LeMettry's, in fact, Feldmann Import's inspected my car 12 times over the years with no mention of this serious condition. Upon searching the internet and other sources I believe that it is incumbent upon the NHTSA to issue a recall on all these cars, there are several different models that use this thin wall substrate Mercedes-Benz has out on the road that must be endangering the lives and property of the owners and the public at large. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11554876 — 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.
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF CAR FELL DOWN AND THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE I HIT A POTHOLE. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD ROTTED OUT AND BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #11022050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 5, BRANCH AVE., NEAR CLINTON, MD, ABOUT 30 MPH, DOWN SLIGHT DECLINE OF A HILL, APPROACHING A PLACE IN THE ROAD WHERE CARS CAN ENTER THE HIGHWAY FROM BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. AS WE NORMALLY DO, I PRESSED ON THE BREAKS TO SLOW DOWN, IN CASE ONE OF THE CARS SITTING ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT, DECIDED TO ENTER ON TO BRANCH AVE. MY BRAKES FAILED - THE FOOT PEDDLE WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO CONTROL IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND IT WAS LIT UP IN RED WARNING LIGHTS , FIRST SAYING BRAKE NEED MAINTENANCE (OR SOMETHING) AT FIRST. I MANAGE TO GET THE CAR TO STEER TOWARDS THE RIGHT TO GET ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOPING THE ROUGH TERRAIN WOULD HELP TO SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP. BY THIS TIME THE RED WARNING LIGHTED UP DASH BOARD SAID STOP, BRAKE FAILURE OR SOMETHING. THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AND I TURNED IF OFF. I AM 59 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND WAS ABSOLUTELY PETRIFIED - MY WHOLE BODY WAS SHAKING FROM THE FEAR THAT I WAS GOING TO WRECK ON THIS BUSY HIGHWAY. LUCKILY FOR ME THE CARS WAITING TO ENTER THE ROAD, DID NOT AND CARS ON THE HIGHWAY SLOWED DOWN AND WENT AROUND ME WHILE THE CAR WAS COASTING TOWARDS THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT TELLING ME TO GET THE BRAKES SERVICES - THEY JUST FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I CALLED MERCEDES ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR THEM TO PICK UP THE CAR. AFTER AN HOUR AND THEY HAD NOT ARRIVED, I TURNED THE CAR ON, THERE WAS NO RED LIGHT. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND IT DIDN'T GO TO THE FLOOR BUT IT WAS SOFT AND WENT NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. I KEPT PUMPING THE BREAKS - SOMETHING I USED TO SEE MY FATHER DO - THINKING THAT WOULD BRING THE BREAKS BACK UP SO THAT I COULD AT LEAST DRIVE BACK HOME TO AWAIT SERVICE TRUCK. I LET MERCEDES SERVICE KNOW, THEN I SLOWLY DROVE BACK, SIDE ROADS, PULLING OVER TO ALLOW CARS TO PASS UNTIL GOT HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10779713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND DISCOVERED THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, HE TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS NOT WORKING EITHER. WITH GREAT EFFORT, HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RE-STARTED IT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. THE BRAKES AND STEERING ALSO RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10557787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF STORE ALLOWING A 93 YEAR OLD LADY TO GO SHOPPING,AS I WAS PARKED THERE I WAS SIDESWIPED, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE AUTO SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, AFTER DOING THIS I DISCOVERED THAT THE KEY CAN'T START THE CAR BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS JAMMED OR KEY WILL NOT TURN, SO THE CAR WON'T START. I CALLED A LOCKSMITH AND DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION IS DEFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10520979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CABLE HARNESS AND CONNECTORS IN STEERING COLUMN AIRBAG, POOR CONNECTION FROM USING STEERING WHEEL. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS DISINTEGRATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FRONT THRUST ARMS WITH BUSHINGS HAD TORN BOOTS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION DATA LINK CONNECTOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10477400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON A RIGHT TURN THE RACK AND PINION MECHANICAL PART FAILED. STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, AND ALMOST CAUSED A MOVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE MECHANICAL FAILURE CAUSED A BLOW BACK OF FLUID WITH METAL FILINGS INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PUMP OVERFLOWED ONTO THE BELT. THE BELT THEN STRESSED THE WATER PUMP UNTIL IT TOO WAS BROKEN. $8,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10458640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LOCK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,828 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE RETURNED TO HER VEHICLE AND INSERTED THE KEY, IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE INDICATOR SAID TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE CONSUMER THEN MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR EACH TIME REMOVING THE KEY AS DIRECTED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 02/28/12
NHTSA complaint #10434885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE IS DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING. CONSEQUENCE: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE POWER FROM THE BATTERY, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE CAR AND THEY CAN NOT HELP ME SO NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10373163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A SERIOUS STEERING PROBLEM TO THE RIGHT FROM DAY 1 OF DRIVING VEHICLE OFF THE DEALERS LOT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT. FOR 5 TO 6 TIME FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP LOCATED ME ANOTHER VEHICLE A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE,. I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE SALESMAN, HE PUT MY NAME IN THE WINDOW OF THE UPGRADED VEHICLE AND THE PICKUP DATE. WHEN I WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, THE SALESMAN AND SERVICE MANAGER WOULD NOT LET ME HAVE THE UPGRADED VEHICLE AS PROMISED THE DAY BEFORE. TODATE, I AM EXPERIENCING SAME PULLING PROBLEM TO THE RIGHT, AND ON A SUMMARY REPORT GIVEN TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIP, THERE HAS BEEN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2008 A MONTH BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I NEED HELP IN INVESTIGATING THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10358212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2005 MERCEDES E320 STEERING COLUMN WIRING FAILURE ( 'CLOCK SPRING" & STEERING WIRING MODULE & SRS AIR BAG "FAILURE). PARTIAL REPAIR CORRECTED LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS, HORN AND SPEEDOMETER AT A COST TO ME ( OWNER OF $749.). ONE DAY LATER SRS (AIR BAG FAIL INDICATOR) CAME ON AGAIN. BACK TO DEALER WHO SAID A WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS ALSO BAD & NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $516. BUT THAT THEY WOULD DO REPAIR FOR $429. ??? DID NOT AFFECT REPAIR YET. JUST NOTICED DEFECT INVESTIGATION?? WHAT SHOULD I DO ?? (FAILURE LIGHT FOR SRS IS STILL ON ETC.). CAN I RECOVER (PAST $749) AND FUTURE? ($516 / $429) COSTS???
NHTSA complaint #10346783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2006 MERCEDES BENZ E320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BEING CLASSIFIED AS UNSAFE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED FROM THE DAY SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT, THE VEHICLE PULLED SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN SWERVING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. ALSO THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE SOUND WHEN THE CONSUMER BACKED UP AND TURNED TO THE RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10329554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SEPTEMBER 12, 1998 I PURCHASED A 1999 E320W.] I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS DRIVEN LEISURELY. TO DATE, IT ONLY HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN REGULARLY OBTAINING THE A & B MAINTENANCE SERVICES. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR MONTHS AND MB ALLEGEDLY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT; AND I HAVE BEEN USING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. A SECOND OPINION MECHANIC SAID IT IS OIL SLUGGING WHICH WAS RECALLED BUT MB WON'T HONOR. HE ALSO SAID MY ENGINE / MOTOR NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT SCRAPING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. DURING ALL OF THE SERVICES TO MB THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL NOR PROVIDED SERVICE TO ENSURE THAT MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A TOTAL RECALL BUT A CASE-BY-CASE SITUATION AND I AM NOT ELIGIBLE. I AM VERY FEARFUL WHEN I AM DRIVING. EACH TIME I GO OUT I FEAR WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR A ENGINE. PLEASE HELP ME. I CAN PROVIDE A TIMELINE OF THE HISTORY OF MY VEHICLE WHICH WITH HINDSIGHT LOOKS LIKE I PURCHASED A LEMON. THE SECOND OPINION MECHANIC INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL/CLASS ACTION BUT MB CONCEALED THE INFORMATION. *TR THE LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE SERPENTINE BELT, BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD ENDS WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FUEL SENSOR LEVEL WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A SHIMMY IN THE SUSPENSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES AND LEFT RIM. THE VALVE STEM WAS LEAKING, THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT REGULARLY TURN INTO LINE BARS. THE TAIL LIGHT CIRCUIT BOARD AND THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP, RIGHT FRONT HEAD LIGHT AND LEFT FRONT PARKING BULBS WERE HAD TO BE REPLACED UPDATED IVOQ 05/27/10.
NHTSA complaint #10327199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED BOTH L & R OUTER TIE ROD ENDS (KARLYN IND INC.) FROM AUTOHAUZ AZ RECENTLY FOR MY WIFE'S W210 MERCEDES E320. I NOTICED WHILE INSTALLING THE PARTS THAT THE THREADED END OF THE CENTRE TIE ROD, WHEN ASSEMBLED TO THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS SLOPPY AND APPEARED TO BE FAR FROM A COMPATIBLE SPECIFICATION. IT WAS AS IF ONE WAS METRIC THREAD AND THE OTHER WAS IMPERIAL. IT DID SNUG WITH THE LOCKING NUT...WHICH IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THAT NUT HOWEVER, AND I DID RELUCTANTLY INSTALL THEM.....THEY HAVEN'T EVEN LASTED A WEEK BEFORE ONE HAS FAILED AT THE BALL JOINT. THE SALE OF SUCH INFERIOR QUALITY MERCHANDISE PUT'S AT RISK INNOCENT CONSUMERS. IF THE BALL JOINT WAS TO FAIL OR THE TIE ROD SEPERATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE WOULD BE AN EVENT THST COULD EASILY LEAK TO A LOSS OF LIFE. PART WAS PURCHASED FROM AUTOHAUS AZ ON INVOICE #176606 AND MANUFACTURED BY KARYLYN INDUSTRIES INC, SOUTHFIELDS, NY 10975.
NHTSA complaint #10210470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OUT OF SERVICE 18 DAYS, SRS/AIRBAG FAILURES OUT OF SERVICE 18 DAYS, AC/DEFROST BLOWER MOTOR FAILURES OUT OF SERVICE 12 DAYS, BRAKES OUT OF SERVICE 9 DAYS, TRANSMISSION (IDLE SURGE/UP SHIFTING/STALLING) OUT OF SERVICE 10 DAYS, FRONT END/TIRES OUT OF SERVICE 10 DAYS. DURING THE LEMON LAW FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT, THE DEALER WROTE ON WORK ORDER THAT THEY HAD INSTALLED NEW BRAKES BECAUSE THEY FOUND "AFTER MARKET BRAKES" ON CAR. THE ONLY PLACE THE CAR HAS EVER BEEN SERVICED WAS THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT. WE ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER (FIRST THEY SAID THE BRAKES WERE THROWN OUT AND THEN THEY SAID THE PARTS WERE SHIPPED TO MB) AND WROTE TWO CERTIFIED LETTERS TO MERCEDES BENZ FOR THE REMOVED PARTS SO WE COULD TRACK THE SERIAL NUMBERS. WE WERE IGNORED. THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE WHO INITIATED THE "BRAKE REPLACEMENT" WAS CONVENIENTLY "PROMOTED OUT OF THE AREA" JUST BEFORE THE LEMON LAW HEARING SO HE COULD NOT BE QUESTIONED. WE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKES, ESPECIALLY THE STOPPING DISTANCE, FROM THE BEGINNING AND THEY KEPT SAYING NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE DEALER WOULD NOT DOCUMENT IT ON THE WORK ORDERS.
NHTSA complaint #10158286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.