2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 89,500miles, 24 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (34% of the total), followed by air bags (7) and transmission and drivetrain (6). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 89,500 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 34 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 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.
- Electrical system13 34%
- Air bags7 18%
- Exterior lighting5 13%
- Engine3 7.9%
- Steering3 7.9%
- Suspension3 7.9%
- Fuel system2 5.3%
- Vehicle speed control2 5.3%
Also reported: Brakes (1), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The passenger side front low beam headlamp stopped working. We changed the light bulb, but that did not correct the problem. We noted that the socket for the passenger side low beam appeared burnt. We took it to a mechanic who rewired the right front low beam light socket and wire harness. After this initial problem, the driver side high beam headlamp stopped working. We replaced the lamp bulb. We noted that the driver side high beam headlamp socket appeared burnt. We did not replace the driver side high beam headlamp socket. So it does not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10557183, filed 2013-12, 95,000 milesAir bags: “I was pulling into a parking stall at work and about to come to a stand still and all of a sudden the car accelerated jumped the curb and continued to accelerate despite application of the brakes until it crashed into a wall. The airbag deployed and there was leakage of radiator fluid on the ground. I had taken the car to the local mercedes dealer on 2 occasions because the check engine light came on . The first time the problem was apparently fixed but the check engine light come on again within 24 hrs of the first repair so I took the car back to the dealer the same day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10487599, filed 2012-12, 42,400 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz 320e. While attempting to accelerate, the contact heard a loud noise and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was awaiting the results from the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10416491, filed 2011-08, 55,000 milesExterior lighting: “2001 mercedes benz. Consumer writes in regards to complaint concerning clouding of the headlights the consumer stated the dealer wanted to charge $450 to replace two polycarbonate headlight covers. The consumer found another company to replace them for $100. The consumer also stated shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the transmission had to be replaced for a large sum of money.”
NHTSA complaint #10430929, filed 2011-10Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,000 and 140,385 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E320 RWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| E320 (Wagon) RWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| E320 4Matic 4WD/AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| E320 4Matic (Wagon) 4WD/AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $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 2001 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.
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. 34 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11019018May 21, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)…
- 11017500Apr 28, 2025Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
- 11017496Apr 28, 2025Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11017039Apr 1, 2025Engine. Complaint Vehicle with atypical reduced heat output. Cause Silicate granulate may have escaped from a damaged bag in the expansion reservoir (not visible), reducing the coolant flow in the heater…
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Electrical system. Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note…
- 11009122Oct 23, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Body and structure. Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Electrical system. Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E320
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 | 62,209 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 10 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 17 | 85,551 | 4 | — | 26 | — | Falling |
| 2006 | 41 | 91,468 | 4 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 231 | 85,500 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 203 | 96,500 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 214 | 99,850 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 23 | 85,992 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 38 | 89,500 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 44 | 155,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 83 | 85,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 37 | 99,900 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 63 | 115,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 45 | 110,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 96 | 107,500 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 11 | 146,754 | 0 | — | 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (34% of the total), followed by air bags with 7.
Has the 2001 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 (E320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 reported?
Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 89,500 miles and the middle half falls between 52,000 and 140,385 miles; 25% 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.