Mercedes-Benz E320 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 1,164 consumer complaints across the 16 model years of the Mercedes-Benz E320 (1994–2009) that have at least 5 complaints. 2005 has the most, with 231. Across all years, the part named most often is fuel system (375 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All E320 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 | 62,209 | 3 | 108 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 10 | 120,000 | 3 | 84 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 17 | 85,551 | 4 | 96 | — | Falling |
| 2006 | 41 | 91,468 | 4 | 104 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 231 | 85,500 | 3 | 91 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 203 | 96,500 | 2 | 82 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 214 | 99,850 | 2 | 79 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 23 | 85,992 | 0 | 44 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 38 | 89,500 | 0 | 34 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 44 | 155,000 | 0 | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 83 | 85,000 | 0 | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 37 | 99,900 | 0 | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 63 | 115,000 | 0 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 45 | 110,000 | 0 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 96 | 107,500 | 0 | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 11 | 146,754 | 0 | 19 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Fuel system375 32%
- Brakes219 18%
- Electrical system202 17%
- Air bags109 9.2%
- Suspension103 8.7%
- Engine cooling71 6.0%
- Transmission and drivetrain65 5.5%
- Engine40 3.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1999: “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, filed 2018-10, 175,000 miles2005: “I got a message on my dashboard to visit car shop for brakes. Thinking that I needed to replace brakes, I drove it for a couple of weeks ( I hardly drive) and took it in. Only to find out it was the hydraulic pump that went out and could leave me without any brakes at any second!! I had to leave it there for 4 days and paid 1544.”
NHTSA complaint #11073597, filed 2018-02, 157,000 miles2003: “When my windows are down and im driving you can smell gasoline very strongly in the car. Even worse in the back seat area. Especially if my gas tank is filled. Im constantly getting a warning to check the gas cap and the gas light goes off flashing then my check engine light will go on.”
NHTSA complaint #11339854, filed 2020-07, 120,000 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,963 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
657 complaintsMercedes-Benz C230
653 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology