1997 Mercedes-Benz E320 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 8%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E320, 8% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 2 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.
“Shortly after purchasing my 1997 E320 in 2003 I took the car in to report an odd acceleration and deceleration while driving in cruise control. Dealer at newport beach ca told me that cruise control is not designed to drive in hills, all of oc is full of hills. They did nothing to repair problem, although car was still under warranty. In addition I reported the automatic control opener to not work in temp above 80 degrees. I'm not sure if the problem is related. In 2005 the sensor notice came on to report electronic problem. I took it to the mb in austin texas. …”
NHTSA complaint #10148289, filed 2006-01, 99,000 miles“Driver seatbelt exploded while buckled up as the car was going about 30 mph on a 4 lane street. No warning and was very traumatic. I had to pull over when I smelled something burning. When I released seatbelt to get out of the car it would not buckle up when I tried to get back in the seat. Had to drive home without seatbelt on Christmas Eve. The same thing happened a month later to the passenger seatbelt when I was a passenger in my car. This was very traumatic while driving down a 4 lane Avenue.”
NHTSA complaint #11504083, filed 2023-01“The contact owns a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire in the driveway due to a faulty wiring harnesss. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. There were no injuries. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 170,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10928247, filed 2016-11, 170,000 miles“While driving vehicle stalled. Took battery out of vehicle to take it to dealer to have it replaced. As putting battery down, it exploded, injuring consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #8008663, filed 2002-04Related 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
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209…
- 10028686May 6, 2009Mercedes: air matic visit workshop displayed within instrument cluster. Models 164, 211, 219, 221 and 251. Included 4matic, amg (compressor) amg, bluetec and wagon. Model years…
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 1997 Mercedes-Benz E320
32 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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