Total Complaints
41 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ 320 · model year
41 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001MERCEDES-BENZ320 carries 41 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 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 2001 320 is electrical system with 5 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (2) and steering (2). 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 2001 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.
Total Complaints
41 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
MERCEDES 2001 C 320. POWER SEAT CONTROL MODULE FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DRAIN THE BATTERY TO A EXTENT THAT CAR CAN NOT BE STARTED UP. NEW BATTERY!!!!!!!!!! *TR
ONE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES OF MY 2001 MB E320 JUST STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE WIRE INSULATION HAD VANISHED - SIMPLY DISAPPEARED - AND THERE WERE BARE WIRES COMING IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. I TRIED WRAPPING THE WIRE WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE, AND THIS WORKED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AFTER A FEW WEEKS. THIS CAR WAS IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR A REAR END COLLISION RECENTLY, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER NOTICED THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE USED TO WORK FOR MERCEDES-BENZ, AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. APPARENTLY, IT GETS SO HOT THAT THE WIRE INSULATION ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATES AND LEAVES THE WIRES BARE. AND, EVEN MORE SURPRISINGLY, SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS CATCH ON FIRE. OF COURSE, MB KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THEIR ENGINEERING MISTAKES - THEY'RE MORE THAN CONTENT TO LET THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY TO HAVE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AND, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, THEY WON'T ADMIT THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM T
ONE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES OF MY 2001 MB E320 JUST STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE WIRE INSULATION HAD VANISHED - SIMPLY DISAPPEARED - AND THERE WERE BARE WIRES COMING IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. I TRIED WRAPPING THE WIRE WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE, AND THIS WORKED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AFTER A FEW WEEKS. THIS CAR WAS IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR A REAR END COLLISION RECENTLY, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER NOTICED THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE USED TO WORK FOR MERCEDES-BENZ, AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. APPARENTLY, IT GETS SO HOT THAT THE WIRE INSULATION ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATES AND LEAVES THE WIRES BARE. AND, EVEN MORE SURPRISINGLY, SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS CATCH ON FIRE. OF COURSE, MB KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THEIR ENGINEERING MISTAKES - THEY'RE MORE THAN CONTENT TO LET THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY TO HAVE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AND, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, THEY WON'T ADMIT THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM T
ONE OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES OF MY 2001 MB E320 JUST STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE WIRE INSULATION HAD VANISHED - SIMPLY DISAPPEARED - AND THERE WERE BARE WIRES COMING IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. I TRIED WRAPPING THE WIRE WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE, AND THIS WORKED FOR A WHILE, BUT THE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AFTER A FEW WEEKS. THIS CAR WAS IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR A REAR END COLLISION RECENTLY, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER NOTICED THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE USED TO WORK FOR MERCEDES-BENZ, AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. APPARENTLY, IT GETS SO HOT THAT THE WIRE INSULATION ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATES AND LEAVES THE WIRES BARE. AND, EVEN MORE SURPRISINGLY, SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS CATCH ON FIRE. OF COURSE, MB KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THEIR ENGINEERING MISTAKES - THEY'RE MORE THAN CONTENT TO LET THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY TO HAVE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AND, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, THEY WON'T ADMIT THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM T
CAR IS A 2001 C320 MERCEDES. BATTERY KEEPS DYING DESPITE REPLACING WITH BRAND NEW BATTERIES ON 2 OCCASIONS, ONLY 2 WEEKS APART. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE SEAT MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY. MY CAR WILL NOT START IF I DON'T DRIVE IT FOR A DAY OR LONGER. THESE MODULES ARE A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. FIX IS TO DISCONNECT SEAT POWER, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 93,000
CAR IS A 2001 C320 MERCEDES. BATTERY KEEPS DYING DESPITE REPLACING WITH BRAND NEW BATTERIES ON 2 OCCASIONS, ONLY 1 MONTH APART. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE SEAT MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY. MY CAR WILL NOT START IF I DON'T DRIVE IT FOR A DAY OR LONGER. THESE MODULES ARE A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Mileage: 80,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. STRUTS AND STEERING SYSTEM COMPLETELY BRAKES DOWN EVERY 6 MONTHS. I AM IN THE REPAIR SHOP EVERY 2-3 MONTHS! AVERAGE OUT OF POCKET (AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY) $500... OUTRAGEOUS (X4 OR 5 PER YEAR!). WARRANTY KICKS IN ANOTHER 4K PER YEAR. MY RECORDS SHOW 14 VISITS TO MERCEDES REPAIR SHOPS SINCE NOVEMBER 2004... INSANE. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES! EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME TO GET A LEXUS OR ACURA! *CN
Mileage: 39,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.