1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 5%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 149,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320, 5% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 149,000 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.
“On wednesday, january 21, 2015, 4:45 pm, an attendant at sam's club gas pumps, tulsa hills shopping center, tulsa, ok, overflowed the gas tank, creating a spill large enough that absorbent materials was used to soak up the gas on the pavement (video available from sam's). Upon leaving, the engine died before exiting the station. Restarted and died again at the first traffic light about 1/4 mile away. Restarted and abnormal noises were heard during the next mile and while stopped at a traffic light, there was a large explosion under the hood, producing lots of black smoke but no extended fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10683710, filed 2015-02, 149,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 mercedes benz E320. While driving 30 MPH, the contact was informed by another motorist that the rear driver side tail light was not working. The contact also stated that the braking power diminished and required a lot more pressure to stop the vehicle. The contact also stated that the check engine indicator would illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10743372, filed 2015-07Related service bulletins
- 10135598Mar 25, 2015Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor"
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | 25% |
| 2008 | 3 | 30% |
| 2007 | 4 | 24% |
| 2005 | 9 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 8% |
| 2000 | 2 | 5% |
| 1998 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsElectrical 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