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Mercedes-Benz S320Model year report

1997 Mercedes-Benz S320 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
195,000miles, 1 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, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by seat belts (2) and equipment (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 195,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 10 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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

Air bags: “Hi can you tell me what force and acceleration can make the airbag deploying on a S320? Now there is a s32o hit the barrier and fell in a ditch with head forward.the head(including bonnet) was damaged, but the vertical structure could not be found backward's out of shape .the belts are broken and the airbags can't deploy.the driver is dead.mb said the airbag system no problem.sorry the VIN and zip code and the dealer information are wrong.I need your help!!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #717329, filed 2000-01

Equipment: “The contact owns a 1999 (na) Mercedes-Benz S320. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, the air conditioner compressor failed to function. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but a failure could not be found. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10873088, filed 2016-06, 195,000 miles

Fuel system: “While driving consumer smelled a gas odor coming from the vents. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that fuel rail needed to be replaced. Consumer informed the dealer that the problem recurred after fuel rail was being fixed.”

NHTSA complaint #10066914, filed 2004-04

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 195,000 and 195,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–150100%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 195,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200020022004220052016
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 S320 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
S320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152218$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 S320 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. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19976195,0000—18—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz S320 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by seat belts with 2.

Has the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320 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 S320 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S320 (S320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 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 S320 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 195,000 miles and the middle half falls between 195,000 and 195,000 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.