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Mercedes-Benz E420Model year report

1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
133,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.2L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (80% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and exterior lighting (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 133,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The mercedes benz e-420 electrical wiring was manufactured from biodegradable materials. After several years the insulation on the wiring harness began to deteriorate and fail. This lead to a cycle of increasingly severe electrical problems also lead to the safety on freeway where the other driver can not see my brake lights when I am braking due to this wiring issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10463407, filed 2012-06, 132,000 miles

Fuel system: “My 1997 mercedes benz E420 went in to limp mode with no warning while merging on to 65 MPH traffic, almost causing an accident. It failed to shift with no warning”

NHTSA complaint #10937153, filed 2016-12, 142,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 132,000 and 135,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–100100%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 133,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2011120121201512016120181
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E420 RWD4.2L 8-cyl5-speed automatic162318$4,550

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 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 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. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 14 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E420

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19975133,5000—18—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz E420 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (80% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.

Has the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 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 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 (E420, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 133,500 miles and the middle half falls between 132,000 and 135,000 miles; 0% 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.