MERCEDES-BENZ E320 · model year

1997 MERCEDES-BENZ E320

80 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997MERCEDES-BENZE320 carries 80 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 4 fires, 15 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 1997 E320 is suspension:front:springs:coil springs with 12 filings, followed by suspension (10) and seat belts (9). 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 1997 E320. 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.

80
Complaints
5
Crashes
4
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

80 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS12
SUSPENSION10
SEAT BELTS9
SUSPENSION:FRONT6
AIR BAGS5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
SEATS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1

Recent Complaints

20231113STRUCTURE:BODY

* Left front substrate to which the Coil Spring Perch mounts is badly rusted and the spring is about to come off under pressure of the cars weight, thereby endangering myself and the general public. The car was towed to Feldmann Imports, a Mercedes-Benz dealer at 4901 American Blvd west, Bloomington , MN 55437 (952) -641-7908 and can be inspected there. * If the spring perch loosens any further, the coil spring would shoot off and likely interfere with the steering system, fuel lines and any number of other components on the vehicle, also there have been reports of the spring going out of the car under pressure and hitting other objects. * Yes, My car was in for another matter at LaMettry's Collision Center, of Eden Prairie, MN for a (minor dent) and (Braden) of LaMettry's said upon inspection of the spring perch that the car was undrivable and could not be fixed. * Feldmann Imports is currently looking at my car and Feldmann said that I should call Mercedes-Benz USA whic

20231113STEERING

* Left front substrate to which the Coil Spring Perch mounts is badly rusted and the spring is about to come off under pressure of the cars weight, thereby endangering myself and the general public. The car was towed to Feldmann Imports, a Mercedes-Benz dealer at 4901 American Blvd west, Bloomington , MN 55437 (952) -641-7908 and can be inspected there. * If the spring perch loosens any further, the coil spring would shoot off and likely interfere with the steering system, fuel lines and any number of other components on the vehicle, also there have been reports of the spring going out of the car under pressure and hitting other objects. * Yes, My car was in for another matter at LaMettry's Collision Center, of Eden Prairie, MN for a (minor dent) and (Braden) of LaMettry's said upon inspection of the spring perch that the car was undrivable and could not be fixed. * Feldmann Imports is currently looking at my car and Feldmann said that I should call Mercedes-Benz USA whic

20231113SUSPENSION

* Left front substrate to which the Coil Spring Perch mounts is badly rusted and the spring is about to come off under pressure of the cars weight, thereby endangering myself and the general public. The car was towed to Feldmann Imports, a Mercedes-Benz dealer at 4901 American Blvd west, Bloomington , MN 55437 (952) -641-7908 and can be inspected there. * If the spring perch loosens any further, the coil spring would shoot off and likely interfere with the steering system, fuel lines and any number of other components on the vehicle, also there have been reports of the spring going out of the car under pressure and hitting other objects. * Yes, My car was in for another matter at LaMettry's Collision Center, of Eden Prairie, MN for a (minor dent) and (Braden) of LaMettry's said upon inspection of the spring perch that the car was undrivable and could not be fixed. * Feldmann Imports is currently looking at my car and Feldmann said that I should call Mercedes-Benz USA whic

20230127SEAT BELTS

Driver seatbelt exploded while buckled up as the car was going about 30 mph on a 4 lane street. No warning and was very traumatic. I had to pull over when I smelled something burning. When I released seatbelt to get out of the car it would not buckle up when I tried to get back in the seat. Had to drive home without seatbelt on Christmas Eve. The same thing happened a month later to the passenger seatbelt when I was a passenger in my car. This was very traumatic while driving down a 4 lane Avenue.

20230127ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Driver seatbelt exploded while buckled up as the car was going about 30 mph on a 4 lane street. No warning and was very traumatic. I had to pull over when I smelled something burning. When I released seatbelt to get out of the car it would not buckle up when I tried to get back in the seat. Had to drive home without seatbelt on Christmas Eve. The same thing happened a month later to the passenger seatbelt when I was a passenger in my car. This was very traumatic while driving down a 4 lane Avenue.

20180329AIR BAGS

1997 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAGS MALFUNCTION. *SMD CONSUMER STATED THAT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED DEFECTIVELY FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 5MPH. CONSUMER STATED THAT CONTENTS FROM THE AIRBAG INFLATOR DID NOT GO INTO AIRBAG BUT INSTEAD HIT HIMSELF AND A PASSENGER IN THE TORSO AREA. *CN

20171126SEAT BELTS

WAS DRIVING SLOW LIKE 10 MPH AND PREPARING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AS THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT SLAMMED INTO THE STERNUM OF MY 73 YEAR OLD MOTHER, WHO ALMOST HAD AN EPISODE OF CARDIAC ARREST, BOTH FROM THE IMPACT OF THE BELT PUSHING ON HER HEART AND THE EXPLOSION. ONE WEEK LATER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DID THE SAME THING . I HAD NOT USED THE DRIVERS SIDE BELT ON THE DAY OF THE FIRST INCIDENT, OR ANY DAY SINCE. BUT THEY ARE EXPLODING ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED THE VERY FIRST TIME THAT THE DRIVERS BELT WAS PUT IN USE AFTER THE PASSENGER BELT INCIDENT. THE SAME SLOW RIGHT TURN, WHILE BRAKING INTO A THE TURN, WAS BEING PERFORMED. THE SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE.

Mileage: 146,000

20170109SEAT BELTS

WHILE PROCEEDING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET, AT ABOUT 30 MPH, DURING THE DAY, WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, I HEARD A METALLIC EXPLOSION INSIDE OUR 1997 MERCEDES BENZ E320 SEDAN. THE SEAT BELT IMMEDIATELY AND PAINFULLY PINNED ME BACK INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT, RENDERING ME BREATHLESS AND DISORIENTATED. I FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN SHOT, AND I LOOKED AROUND OUTSIDE THE CAR FOR THE SOURCE. I TURNED OFF THE STREET AND PARKED. I WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE SEATBELT, BUT IT DID NOT RETRACT. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND INSPECTED ITS EXTERIOR. THERE WAS NOTHING TO NOTE. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN AUTHORIZED INSPECTION AND EVALUATION. I LEARNED THAT THE SEATBELT RETRACTION SYSTEM HAD ACTIVATED, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO INPUT TO THE ACTIVATION SENSOR. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, SO THE REPAIR BILL IS ON ME.

Mileage: 137,000

20170106SUSPENSION

LEFT FRONT SPRING CUP ASSEMBLY RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM BODY. RESULTED IN DROPPED FRONT END. PART REPLACED AND AREA REPAIRED.

Mileage: 113,400

20161128FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY DUE TO A FAULTY WIRING HARNESSS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20160903SUSPENSION

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A MAJOR STREET I HEARD A LOUD POP AND PULLED OVER TO SEE IF I RAN OVER SOMETHING, BUT NOTHING WAS IN THE ROAD. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN DRIVING I NOTICED THE SUSPENSION WAS MAKING NOISES. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING PERCH SEPARATED FROM THE BODY AND THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THEY QUOTED ME $1500.00 TO REPAIR.

Mileage: 150,000

20150910FireAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY EMITTED A YELLOW SUBSTANCE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. SHORTLY AFTER, THE SHIFT LEVER EXPLODED AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE CONSOLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CAM SHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES DUE TO THE SUBSTANCE FROM THE AIR BAG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20150910FireSUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY EMITTED A YELLOW SUBSTANCE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. SHORTLY AFTER, THE SHIFT LEVER EXPLODED AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE CONSOLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CAM SHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES DUE TO THE SUBSTANCE FROM THE AIR BAG THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20150506SEAT BELTS

I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT OUTSIDE A DRUGSTORE VERY SLOW. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AT ALL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SEATBELT MADE A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND AND SMELLED LIKE BURNING. MY ENTIRE BODY WAS RESTRAINED VERY TIGHT AGAINST THE SEAT AND A HARD IMPACT ON MY CHEST. IT WAS SCARY AND I THOUGHT I WAS SHOT. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME SEAT BELT EXPLODED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR

Mileage: 176,000

20141206AIR BAGS

ON NOVEMBER 19TH, 2014, WHILE STOPPED ON HABANA AT MLK, JR. BLVD. IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER, A VERY LOUD "EXPLOSION" OCCURRED INSIDE MY CAR AND THERE WAS INSTANT PRESSURE ON MY CHEST. FROM THE NOISE AND THE PRESSURE, I THOUGHT I'D BEEN SHOT, BUT THEN REALIZED NEITHER I NOR THE CAR WAS STRUCK BY ANYTHING! I LOOKED AT THE DRIVERS ON EITHER SIDE OF ME (NOBODY BEHIND ME) TO SEE IF THEY HAD HEARD OR SEEN ANYTHING, BUT NOBODY WAS LOOKING MY WAY, SO IT WAS OBVIOUS THEY HAD NOT HEARD OR SMELLED ANYTHING (BURNING ODOR" EMANATING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE CAR). I FELT PAIN IN MY CHEST & BACK/SHOULDER, AND WAS SHAKING, BUT SINCE I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DOCTOR ANYWAY, I PROCEEDED TO HER OFFICE FOR MY APPOINTMENT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, I WENT TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP (NO SEAT BELT), WHERE I LEFT THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THEY ACTED AS THOUGH THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENS EVERY DAY - NOBODY EVEN ASKED IF I WAS OK; NOR DID ANYONE DISCUSS THE OBVIOUS "MALFUNCTION" THAT HAD JUST O

Mileage: 135,000

20141206SEAT BELTS

ON NOVEMBER 19TH, 2014, WHILE STOPPED ON HABANA AT MLK, JR. BLVD. IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER, A VERY LOUD "EXPLOSION" OCCURRED INSIDE MY CAR AND THERE WAS INSTANT PRESSURE ON MY CHEST. FROM THE NOISE AND THE PRESSURE, I THOUGHT I'D BEEN SHOT, BUT THEN REALIZED NEITHER I NOR THE CAR WAS STRUCK BY ANYTHING! I LOOKED AT THE DRIVERS ON EITHER SIDE OF ME (NOBODY BEHIND ME) TO SEE IF THEY HAD HEARD OR SEEN ANYTHING, BUT NOBODY WAS LOOKING MY WAY, SO IT WAS OBVIOUS THEY HAD NOT HEARD OR SMELLED ANYTHING (BURNING ODOR" EMANATING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE CAR). I FELT PAIN IN MY CHEST & BACK/SHOULDER, AND WAS SHAKING, BUT SINCE I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DOCTOR ANYWAY, I PROCEEDED TO HER OFFICE FOR MY APPOINTMENT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, I WENT TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP (NO SEAT BELT), WHERE I LEFT THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THEY ACTED AS THOUGH THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENS EVERY DAY - NOBODY EVEN ASKED IF I WAS OK; NOR DID ANYONE DISCUSS THE OBVIOUS "MALFUNCTION" THAT HAD JUST O

Mileage: 135,000

20140808SUSPENSION

ONE DAY I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE SEEMED TO BE LOW. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF FILLING THE TIRE, ONE DAY I DECIDED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE (TIRE WAS FINE). I QUICKLY CAME TO REALIZE THAT MY LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS NOT ONLY CRACKED BUT ALSO BENT OUT OF SHAPE. ADDITIONALLY I FOUND THAT THE UPPER HOUSING OF THE COIL (SPRING) WAS LITERALLY PEELING OFF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE THUS CAUSING THE ADDED PRESSURE TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WHERE THE SPRING SITS. I WENT TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND GOT A QUOTE FROM THE TECH THERE. IT COST ME JUST OVER $1,100 TO FIX IT WITH A WELDED PLATE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL (TO REINFORCE THE HOUSING OF THE COIL (SPRING) PLUS CHANGING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. I DID NOT DARE TAKE THIS VEHICLE TO A MB DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY WERE QUOTING ME $5100 TO FIX THE ISSUE (WELL MORE THEN WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH). IT'S A SHAME TO KNOW THIS MANY PEOPLE HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS BUT YET THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN TURNED INTO A RECALL. BASE

Mileage: 224,000

20130702SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND. THE CONTACT ASSUMED A TIRE HAD BLOWN HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING HAD BEEN EJECTED FROM ITS INTENDED POSITION IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20120110SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE SEAT BELT BEGAN TO RETRACT AND LOCK ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20120110AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE SEAT BELT BEGAN TO RETRACT AND LOCK ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

Compare 1997MERCEDES-BENZE320 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 have?
The 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 has 80 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 4 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ E320?
The most-complained component for the 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 is SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and SEAT BELTS.
Is the 1997 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 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.