1996 Mercedes-Benz E320 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 11%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,477miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320, 11% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,477 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I lost control of the car at the end of a freeway off ramp on a rainy day and went off the road into an embankment and after one spin bounced into a utility pole, hitting the car on the driver side. The driver side door was pushed into the steering wheel. The car is a total loss. None of the air bags front or side deployed, which in view of the nature and magnitude of the impact is unbelievable.”
NHTSA complaint #10104354, filed 2004-12, 85,753 miles“The contact owned a 1996 mercedes benz E320. While driving 65 MPH, the air bags failed to deploy after the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The driver sustained knee, back, neck, and chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10654349, filed 2014-11, 131,000 miles“Upon taking ownership of vehicle air bag light on the instrument panel was illuminated. Dealership changed an unknown component, and since then has examined vehicle two more times for same problem. Consumer has been informed that wiring harness had to be replaced in order to correct the problem, and was being charged $2,500.00 for repairs. Please provide any additional information / documentation.”
NHTSA complaint #6900615, filed 2001-12“Vehicle was involved in a t-bone collision at 25 MPH and neither air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8005539, filed 2002-03Related service bulletins
- 10028649Jan 9, 2009Mercedes: srs indicator lamp on. The srs light is illuminated and diagnostic fault code(s) b9223 and/or b9243 are stored in the srs ecu. The resistance of the ignition squib…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 | 15% |
| 2005 | 22 | 10% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 19 | 9% |
| 2002 | 3 | 13% |
| 2001 | 7 | 18% |
| 2000 | 12 | 27% |
| 1999 | 17 | 20% |
| 1998 | 3 | 8% |
| 1997 | 7 | 11% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320
19 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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