2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 16%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320, 16% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,700 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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 miles“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 miles“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 2011-10“2001 mercedes e-320. Consumer expresses discontent with headlight covers and requests money to replace them. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the consumer had to replace the transmission. Then the vehicle developed a squeal, which the local dealer insisted was the AC fan, but it was not. The headlight covers were completely opaque. The headlight covers were made out of plastic which caused the lights to become dim.”
NHTSA complaint #10319796, filed 2010-03“When water enters the control module for automatic transmission it fails to change gears while vehicle is in operation. Dealership has not given consumer a cause for this problem. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #890449, filed 2001-06Related service bulletins
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint 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…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint 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…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Sep 22, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 5 | 29% |
| 2005 | 10 | 4% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 11 | 5% |
| 2002 | 3 | 13% |
| 2001 | 6 | 16% |
| 2000 | 7 | 16% |
| 1999 | 11 | 13% |
| 1998 | 2 | 5% |
| 1997 | 5 | 8% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320
13 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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