1996 Mercedes-Benz E320 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 7%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320, 7% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 1 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.
“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, filed 2010-12, 95,000 miles“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, filed 2013-06Related service bulletins
- 10167000Feb 18, 2014Surface damage on steering wheel trim
- 10044181Mar 12, 2012Xentry: rattling/thumping noises from the area of the steering on rough roads or when driving over road undulations. No model years given. Also included models 168 and 172.
- 10020460Dec 4, 2008Play in the rack and pinion steering system. Models 203, 209, 210, 211, 215, 220, 230. Mercedes benz. *kb updated 5/13/09.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 20% |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 9% |
| 2001 | 3 | 8% |
| 2000 | 2 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 3 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320
19 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 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