MERCEDES-BENZ 320 · model year

1994 MERCEDES-BENZ 320

64 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994MERCEDES-BENZ320 carries 64 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 320 is electrical system:wiring:front underhood with 16 filings, followed by electrical system (15) and electrical system:wiring (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 1994 320. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

64
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

64 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE1
AIR BAGS1
TIRES1

Recent Complaints

20130301ENGINE

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

Mileage: 192,350

20130301ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 192,350

20121106ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE INDICATOR LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ERRONEOUSLY, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS AND WIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20120316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS RUSTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED EVOQ 03/28/12

Mileage: 55,000

20120316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS RUSTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED EVOQ 03/28/12

Mileage: 55,000

20110814ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 1994 E320, IM GOING TO SUM THIS UP, THE HARNESS IS JUNK, MY CAR STALLS ON THE FREEWAY, USES UP GAS LIKE A RUNNING HOSE, GOT 6 MILES ON 12.00 WORTH OF GAS, LIGHTS FLICKER, WHEN I CUT BACK THE TAPE IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE PUT CIG TOBACCO IN THE WIRE, THEN I LOOKED AND IT WAS THE INSULATION THAT HAD TURNED TO NOTHING, ALL WIRES ARE RUBBING. THE FUEL INJ. GET FLOODS WITH OIL,GAS. ITS A MESS AND THEY WANT OVER 1000.00 TO GET A NEW ONE. RECALL THIS HARNESS BEFORE PEOPLE START TO DIE. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20110308FireEQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1994 MERCEDES E-320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING WIRES HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 288,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 288,000

20100109ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1. MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHT ALARMS OVER 12 MONTH PERIOD. 2. AFTER MANY FRUITLESS AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS OF SENSORS, THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE MAIN WIRING HARNESS, WHERE THE INSULATION ON INDIVIDUAL WIRES HAD LARGELY DISINTEGRATED. THIS WAS REPORTEDLY DUE TO USE OF DEFECTIVE INSULATION AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE, WHICH OVER TIME AND NORMAL USE, WOULD DISINTEGRATE AND BREAK OFF, ENABLING INDIVIDUAL WIRES IN THE HARNESS TO SHORT TOGETHER. THE REPAIR FACILITY HAD MAYBE 20-25 OF THESE FAILED HARNESSES HANGING ON THE WALL AS A DISPLAY - THIS IS IN A SMALL TOWN, SO THE TOTAL NUMBER MUST BE VERY LARGE IN THE USA. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM OR THE REPAIR, CLAIMING ESSENTIALLY THAT IN 10 YEARS FROM MANUFACTURE DATE, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE AND THAT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THIS FAILURE PRODUCED UNSAFE CONDITIONS, THE CAR WOULD FAIL TO START, STOP RUNNING ON THE ROAD AND WOULD FAIL TO RESTART, ETC. 3. THE WIRING HARNES

Mileage: 71,000

20090608ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS GETTING THE CAR DYEING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND AT STOP LIGHTS AND SMOKE OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD, THEN TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME OF A PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES WIRING FROM 91-96. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES WILL NOT FESS UP TO!!! THE HARNESS COST ME OVER $600.00!!!!! FOR WHAT THEY PROBABLY PAID 10.00 TO HAVE MADE FOR THEM. WHERE IS MY GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT ME AND OTHERS FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE IT GETS LOOKED AT SERIOUSLY? GO TO ANY MERCEDES FORUM AND THERE WILL BE PAGES UPON PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM?????!!!!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20090527ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1994 MERCEDES E320 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, IT IS COMMONLY KNOWN IN THE MB COMMUNITY THAT THESE CARS WIRING HARNESS WAS MADE FROM DEFECTIVE MATERIALS AND PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. THIS HARNESS COSTS AROUND 1000.00 WHY IS MY GOVERNMENT NOT PROTECTING IT'S PEOPLE FROM THIS FRAUD?! *TR

Mileage: 152,000

20081126FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ALREADY REPLACED THE FAULTY WIRING HARNESS ON MY MERCEDES E320 AT A HIGH COST DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING USED BIODEGRADABLE WIRING HARNESS NOW I NEED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE ACTUATOR ALSO A HIGH DOLLAR ITEM SAME THING CORRODED FALLING APART WIRES AND MERCEDES KNOWS OF THIS PLEASE HELP I NEED SOME RELIEF OF THIS MESS PART#0001415725 THANKS.. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20081029CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 CABRIOLET HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. AN INVESTIGATION LEADS TO DISINTEGRATED ENGINE WIRE HARNESS, THAT IS SHORTING. THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING ROUGH AND STALLING. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE HAZARD. THE CAR STALLED ON HIGHWAY, CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A SIDE POLE, DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 56,556

20080908ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CRUMBLING FUEL INJECTION WIRING HARNESS CAUSING STALLING, MISFIRING, EXPOSED WIRES A FIRE HAZARD AND A "NO SPARK CONDITION" CAUSING DEAD CYLINDERS TO POUR RAW FUEL INTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER RESULTING IN HEAVY SMOKE AND AN EMANATE SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. THIS CONDITION DESTROYED THE $1200 CATALYTIC CONVERTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO PASS STATE EMISSIONS TESTING. MERCEDES-BENZ REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AN OFFERS NO REMEDY. MAYBE AFTER SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED , THERE WILL BE SOME ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 72,500

20080903ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS CHANGING SPARK PLUGS AND SAW THE BAD WIRES IN THE HARNESS. I TAPED UP WHERE I COULD BUT WHEN I TOUCHED THE WIRE THE INSULATION JUST FELL OFF THE WIRES. I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR RUNNING FOR AWHILE BUT NOW IT RUNS BAD. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO REPLACE HARNESS AT THIS TIME. THIS IS CLEARLY A MFG. DEFECT AND A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ONE. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20080721ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ S320 HAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. IT IS FALLING APART BEING THAT IT WAS CONSTRUCTED USING BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS. IT IS CAUSING MANY, MANY, PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE MISFIRING, SMOKING / BARE WIRES, ETC. *TR

Mileage: 159,000

20080704EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C AND ALL ITEMS ON FUSE #7 QUIT WORKING. CAR SKIPPED AND WOULD JUST DIE. CHECKED WIRING AND FOUND WIRES CRACKED. ALL WIRES IN HARNESS CRACKED AND LOOKED OVERHEATED. WIRING HARNESS REPLACED BY NEW OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 161,960

20080704ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A/C AND ALL ITEMS ON FUSE #7 QUIT WORKING. CAR SKIPPED AND WOULD JUST DIE. CHECKED WIRING AND FOUND WIRES CRACKED. ALL WIRES IN HARNESS CRACKED AND LOOKED OVERHEATED. WIRING HARNESS REPLACED BY NEW OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 161,960

20080508ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IS MADE OF BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL THAT HAS CAUSED MASSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHEN IT DISINTEGRATED. *TR

Mileage: 132,000

20080407ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

1994 MERCEDES E320 WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATION, CRACKING REPLACEMENT WILL BE $2,000. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20080401ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR JUST STOPPED. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO BECK MERCEDES BENZ, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS CONDUCTED, I WAS TO THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY INTO. THE HARNESS WIRES WERE QUOTED AS BEING ROTTED. COST IS OVER $2,000.00 TO REPAIR. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. AFTER QUESTIONING HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN I WAS GIVEN NO ANSWERS. *TR

Compare 1994MERCEDES-BENZ320 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 have?
The 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 has 64 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ 320?
The most-complained component for the 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING.
Is the 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.