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Engine coolingPart report

1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
22%of 37 total for the year
Median mileage
67,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320, 22% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles.

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.

“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

“Consumer called complaining about having problem with engine shuting off. Consumer was driving on the highway when the vehicle shut off leaving the consumer with no power steering or brake power. Manufacturer was contacted, and stated that there was no problems with the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10026921, filed 2003-07, 58,000 miles

“The consumer states that the harmonic balancer broke causing damages. Ts the consumer states that when the harmonic balance flew apart, it had taken off the front cover of the motor and the oil pan. The dealer told the consumer that this was a faulty part. Scc”

NHTSA complaint #8021086, filed 2002-10, 67,000 miles

“While driving the engine's crankshaft pulley broke. As a result the power steering failed, which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. No report of impact. Please provide additional information.”

NHTSA complaint #10052172, filed 2003-12, 89,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2009113%
2008220%
200716%
200583%
200442%
200331%
2002417%
200113%
200049%
19991822%
1998822%
199746%
199649%
199588%
199419%

Other parts of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320

Suspension
7 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Equipment
4 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Engine
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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