1994 Mercedes-Benz E320 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 64%of 11 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 155,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 1994 Mercedes-Benz E320, 64% of the 11 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 155,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Recently bought car. Wiring harness had already been replaced, but computer has not acted correctly since the wiring shorted out due to faulty insulation. Throwing faults and no idle. Surges forward or backwards on its own. While backing it out of garage, it surged backwards so fast the brakes would not hold. Hit tractor parked in driveway before getting it stopped. Broke rear bumper cover. I have older vehicles (1974 chevy) (1990 chevy pickup) with absolutely no wiring problems. Now I have a really nice 1994 E320 that is junk because I can't afford the $12 - $1500 to repair it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10543216, filed 2013-09, 167,000 miles“After the vehicle is restored, the owner started to experience signs of electrical mishap. At first, the overvoltage protection relay (ovp) shorted out and thus, the car couldn't be started. After replacing the ovp, $100, the car started fine and ended up being drivable but the owner noticed a very significant loss of power. It appears that there is misfire, in at least one of the cylinders leading from the ecu to the distributor. Owner still ended up going to a virginia state licensed inspection and emission. …”
NHTSA complaint #10535552, filed 2013-08, 143,000 miles“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, filed 2016-01“Started the car at work and it was running rough had no acceleration. Went into limp home mode and I was able to get home. My husband is a mechanic and found the wiring harness was deteriorating, flaking and falling apart exposing all the wires. The car would no long even start. I called mercedes to see if they would help with the cost of the part replacement. They denied any problem with the product and would not assist in any repair. I logged a complaint with them under my name and have tried many times to get assistance with the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456513, filed 2012-04“The contact owns a 1994 mercedes benz E320. The contact stated that the entire instrument panel failed. None of indicators on the panel functioned excluding the clock. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after being driven. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10593414, filed 2014-05, 15,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10186142Dec 9, 2020Unmotivated 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)
- 10179951Jul 20, 2020AIRMATIC Fault Message "Max 80 km/ h (50 mph) " In Instrument Cluster
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2007 | 2 | 12% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2005 | 16 | 7% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 21 | 10% |
| 2002 | 4 | 17% |
| 2001 | 13 | 34% |
| 2000 | 8 | 18% |
| 1999 | 8 | 10% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 5 | 8% |
| 1996 | 12 | 27% |
| 1995 | 89 | 93% |
| 1994 | 7 | 64% |
Other parts of the 1994 Mercedes-Benz E320
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Mercedes-Benz E320
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology