1998 Mercedes-Benz E320 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 8%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E320, 8% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 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“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
- 10015377Jun 4, 2008Revised repair procedure and additional applicable models. Model 170, 202, 208 and 210 models. Front fog lamp(s) inoperative. Mercedes-benz. *tt model years: 1994-2004. Updated…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 13% |
| 2000 | 4 | 9% |
| 1999 | 3 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
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 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine
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 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