Total Complaints
41 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ 320 · model year
41 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2001 320 is electrical system with 5 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer (2) and steering (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2001 320. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
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 vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ 320; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.