1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 93,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel RWD · 23 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 93,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 21 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system2 25%
- Engine cooling2 25%
- Brakes1 13%
- Exterior lighting1 13%
- Fuel system1 13%
- Suspension1 13%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The wire harness is brittle and the insulation is disintegrating, resulting in shorts and electrical failures. The headlights stopped working unexpectedly.”
NHTSA complaint #10876659, filed 2016-06Engine cooling: “The first engine oil leak was repaired under warranty at 8/25/2000 (48,523 miles) and the replacement gaskets are leaking again on 9/15/2001 (at 58,500 miles).”
NHTSA complaint #759748, filed 2002-03Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving on highway, gears shifted back and forth between two gears; acceleration at 25-50 MPH. Took vehicle to dealer. On several occasions vehicle would hesitate at 40 MPH and vehicle is bucking, dealer replaced resonance flap, and fuel injection pump, problem still exists, consumer also complains of poor fuel efficiency.”
NHTSA complaint #8000665, filed 2001-12Brakes: “Rotors were not working properly, they were making noise when applying brakes, and there was extended stopping distance.contacted dealer, and dealer stated that rotors were only suppose to last 20000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #8014435, filed 2002-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 89,000 and 97,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E300 Diesel RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel | 5-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 26 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 21 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10186142Dec 9, 2020Electrical system. Unmotivated Reaction from Park Assist - model series 213 facelift / 238 facelift with option code 235 (active par- king assist) and option code 501 (surround view system)
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020Electronic stability control, Brakes. If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10179951Jul 20, 2020Electrical system. AIRMATIC Fault Message "Max 80 km/ h (50 mph) " In Instrument Cluster
- 10164807Aug 19, 2019Steering. Assessment of actuating and operating noise from steering
- 10164811Aug 5, 2019Transmission and drivetrain. Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of rear axle
- 10164810Aug 5, 2019Equipment, Suspension. Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
- 10151959Jul 23, 2018Seat belts. Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- 10151948Jul 19, 2018Electronic stability control, Suspension. Display of suspension setting in head unit implausible
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E300
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 29 | 6,500 | 8 | 5 | 25 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2018 | 32 | 15,567 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 39 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 132 | 32,000 | 16 | 5 | 25 | 84 · More | Rising |
| 1999 | 13 | 115,000 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 9 | 106,223 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 8 | 93,000 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 6 | 171,872 | 0 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz E300 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 (E300 Diesel, 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E300 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 93,000 miles and the middle half falls between 89,000 and 97,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.