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Mercedes-Benz E320Model year report

1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 Problems

Complaints
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
99,900miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by suspension (7) and body and structure (5). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 16% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 99,900 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Electrical system (1), Fuel system (1), Steering (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “1998 mercedes E320 at different times, the driver and passenger doors locked by themselves while the vehicle was running. In june of 2003 the consumer heard a loud noise from the engine, the vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who immediately diagnosed the problem as the crankshaft dampner which was in pieces, the rubber drive belt damaged the engine front cover and engine oil pan. …”

NHTSA complaint #10042440, filed 2003-11, 5,000 miles

Suspension: “While driving in traffinc east along haddonfield berlin road in cherry hill nj, I was slowing to a stop approaching a red light at evsham road. As I pressed the brake pedal, there was a loud bang and grinding sound from the front end that ended with a loud clank on the ground. After which I saw the spring from my driver's side on the road behind me in my rear view mirror. Driving was not affected, not was steering. However we came to find that the panel containing the driver's side spring perch had rusted and then torn away from the bod, thus releasing the front spring. …”

NHTSA complaint #10874208, filed 2016-06, 127,040 miles

Body and structure: “I noticed while at a stoplight with my foot on the brake, that my steering column was vibrating, as well as the gear shift and the instrument panel. It was also very noisy. The dealership said that the motor and transmission mounts had collapsed!”

NHTSA complaint #10251439, filed 2008-12, 64,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

16% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 64,000 and 149,000 miles.

11%0–105%10–250%25–5021%50–7516%75–10026%100–15021%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 99,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’999’02’04’06’09’14’16’18
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E320 Sedan RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,900
E320 Sedan RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182420$4,100
E320 Wagon RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
E320 Wagon RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182520$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 29 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 29 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2009862,2093—26—Not enough data
200810120,0003—26—Not enough data
20071785,5514—26—Falling
20064191,4684—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200523185,5003—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200420396,5002—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200321499,8502—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20022385,9920—21—Falling
20013889,5000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200044155,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19998385,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983799,9000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199763115,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199645110,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199596107,5000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199411146,7540—19—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz E320 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by suspension with 7.

Has the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 (E320 Sedan, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 99,900 miles and the middle half falls between 64,000 and 149,000 miles; 16% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.