Total Complaints
51 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ E320 · model year
51 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998MERCEDES-BENZE320 carries 51 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 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 1998 E320 is suspension with 5 filings, followed by unknown or other (4) and engine and engine cooling:engine (3). 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 1998 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.
Total Complaints
51 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
THIS SILVER MERCEDES (NOT SURE THE YEAR) CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE FOR OVER TWO WEEKS, NO SIGNS OF IT BEING MOVED AT ALL. 16329 CHATSWORTH STREET DOORS ARE UNLOCKED AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY NEIGHBORS PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS VEHICLE, FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN IT EVER BE PARKED HERE. POSSIBLE STOLEN CAR AND JUST LEFT THERE, PLEASE CHECK ON VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED AWAY.
I HAVE PRIMEWELL VALERA TOURING 2 TIRES AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DEVELOPED A SIDEWALL BULGE WHEN I WAS REVERSING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE SAME FAMILY OF TIRES HAVE A RECALL, AND WHILE MY SET ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, I HAVE THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS THAT THE BULGE WAS DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT (PER MY MECHANIC) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE IS UNSAFE TO RIDE ON, SO I AM USING THE FULL SPARE AT THE MOMENT. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER , GITI TIRES, AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE TIRE IS PRIMEWELL VALERA TOURING 2, 215/55/16, DOT NUMBER IS Y9JM CLHX 1515.
Mileage: 169,900
PASSENGER COIL SPRING SEAT BROKE , CAR IN GARAGE LAST 15 YEARS , NOT EVEN 100000 MILES YET
Mileage: 99,900
YOUR WEB SITE STATES "INVALID REQUEST" WHEN I PLACE VIN NUMBER IN. CORRECT CHARACTERS WERE USED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFINC EAST ALONG HADDONFIELD BERLIN ROAD IN CHERRY HILL NJ, I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AT EVSHAM ROAD. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND GRINDING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END THAT ENDED WITH A LOUD CLANK ON THE GROUND. AFTER WHICH I SAW THE SPRING FROM MY DRIVER'S SIDE ON THE ROAD BEHIND ME IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. DRIVING WAS NOT AFFECTED, NOT WAS STEERING. HOWEVER WE CAME TO FIND THAT THE PANEL CONTAINING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING PERCH HAD RUSTED AND THEN TORN AWAY FROM THE BOD, THUS RELEASING THE FRONT SPRING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MBUSA, BUT NOT A RECALL ISSUE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS REFUSING REPAIRS DUE TO THEIR VIEW OF THIS AS BEING A "MAINTENANCE ISSUE."
Mileage: 127,040
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKING POWER DIMINISHED AND REQUIRED A LOT MORE PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKING POWER DIMINISHED AND REQUIRED A LOT MORE PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKING POWER DIMINISHED AND REQUIRED A LOT MORE PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015, 4:45 PM, AN ATTENDANT AT SAM'S CLUB GAS PUMPS, TULSA HILLS SHOPPING CENTER, TULSA, OK, OVERFLOWED THE GAS TANK, CREATING A SPILL LARGE ENOUGH THAT ABSORBENT MATERIALS WAS USED TO SOAK UP THE GAS ON THE PAVEMENT (VIDEO AVAILABLE FROM SAM'S). UPON LEAVING, THE ENGINE DIED BEFORE EXITING THE STATION. RESTARTED AND DIED AGAIN AT THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT 1/4 MILE AWAY. RESTARTED AND ABNORMAL NOISES WERE HEARD DURING THE NEXT MILE AND WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A LARGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD, PRODUCING LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE BUT NO EXTENDED FIRE. LOCAL POLICE HELPED IN REMOVING THE CAR FROM TRAFFIC AND LATER LOADING THE CAR ON A WRECKER. THE DESCRIPTION FROM THE MBZ REPAIR FACILITY GAVE THIS EXPLANATION AND REPAIRED THE CAR AT A COST OF $2,600. THE GAS OVERFLOW CAUSED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER TO FILL UP WITH LIQUID GAS AND WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED THE LIQUID GAS WAS SUCKED INTO THE INPUT MANIFOLD, CAUSING AN UNDETECTED EXPLOSION AND
Mileage: 149,000
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015, 4:45 PM, AN ATTENDANT AT SAM'S CLUB GAS PUMPS, TULSA HILLS SHOPPING CENTER, TULSA, OK, OVERFLOWED THE GAS TANK, CREATING A SPILL LARGE ENOUGH THAT ABSORBENT MATERIALS WAS USED TO SOAK UP THE GAS ON THE PAVEMENT (VIDEO AVAILABLE FROM SAM'S). UPON LEAVING, THE ENGINE DIED BEFORE EXITING THE STATION. RESTARTED AND DIED AGAIN AT THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT 1/4 MILE AWAY. RESTARTED AND ABNORMAL NOISES WERE HEARD DURING THE NEXT MILE AND WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A LARGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD, PRODUCING LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE BUT NO EXTENDED FIRE. LOCAL POLICE HELPED IN REMOVING THE CAR FROM TRAFFIC AND LATER LOADING THE CAR ON A WRECKER. THE DESCRIPTION FROM THE MBZ REPAIR FACILITY GAVE THIS EXPLANATION AND REPAIRED THE CAR AT A COST OF $2,600. THE GAS OVERFLOW CAUSED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER TO FILL UP WITH LIQUID GAS AND WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED THE LIQUID GAS WAS SUCKED INTO THE INPUT MANIFOLD, CAUSING AN UNDETECTED EXPLOSION AND
Mileage: 149,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 160,322.
Mileage: 160,322
HAD AN INSPECTION ON FRIDAY. FOUND PASSENGER SHOCK TOWER BROKEN FROM THE BODY FRAME, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LOOKED IN MERCEDES BENZ WORLD WEBSITE, AND SAW MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TYPICAL ISSUE, PEOPLE MUST NOT BE REPORTING THIS TYPICAL RUST OF THE SPRING TOWER TO BODY RUST ISSUE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE IN CANADA BUT NOT IN USA. *TR
HAD AN INSPECTION ON FRIDAY. FOUND PASSENGER SHOCK TOWER BROKEN FROM THE BODY FRAME, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LOOKED IN MERCEDES BENZ WORLD WEBSITE, AND SAW MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TYPICAL ISSUE, PEOPLE MUST NOT BE REPORTING THIS TYPICAL RUST OF THE SPRING TOWER TO BODY RUST ISSUE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE IN CANADA BUT NOT IN USA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THEIR MANUFACTURER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. ..UPDATED 02-28-14 *BF
Mileage: 128,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THEIR MANUFACTURER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. ..UPDATED 02-28-14 *BF
Mileage: 128,000
SOME RUST DAMAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON THE BODY OF THE CAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME, BUT NO MERCEDES MECHANICS SUGGESTED IT WAS STRUCTURAL OR DANGEROUS. RECENTLY, A LOUD CREAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN SUBJECTED TO BUMPS, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. BY REMOVING THE TIRE, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CREAKING WAS FROM THE POORLY DESIGNED SUSPENSION CAP, WHICH HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN PARTIALLY OFF, BENDING THE SPRING AGAINST THE AXLE. THIS DAMAGE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS NO MERCEDES MECHANICS IDENTIFIED THE RUST AT THIS POINT, AND IF THE CAP SNAPPED OFF, THE ENTIRE WHEEL CARRIAGE WOULD BREAK. IF THE CAR HAD BEEN OPERATING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THIS KIND OF FAILURE, WHICH COULD OCCUR INSTANTLY WHEN SUBJECTED TO A NORMAL SHOCK IMPACT, COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. THE CAP IS DEFINITELY A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW, ESPECIALLY AS THE MERCEDES STRUCTURE RUSTS (WHICH THEY CLAIM NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR), AND MANY OF THESE CARS COULD EASILY BE ON THE RO
Mileage: 200,047
SOME RUST DAMAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON THE BODY OF THE CAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME, BUT NO MERCEDES MECHANICS SUGGESTED IT WAS STRUCTURAL OR DANGEROUS. RECENTLY, A LOUD CREAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN SUBJECTED TO BUMPS, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. BY REMOVING THE TIRE, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CREAKING WAS FROM THE POORLY DESIGNED SUSPENSION CAP, WHICH HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN PARTIALLY OFF, BENDING THE SPRING AGAINST THE AXLE. THIS DAMAGE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS NO MERCEDES MECHANICS IDENTIFIED THE RUST AT THIS POINT, AND IF THE CAP SNAPPED OFF, THE ENTIRE WHEEL CARRIAGE WOULD BREAK. IF THE CAR HAD BEEN OPERATING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THIS KIND OF FAILURE, WHICH COULD OCCUR INSTANTLY WHEN SUBJECTED TO A NORMAL SHOCK IMPACT, COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. THE CAP IS DEFINITELY A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW, ESPECIALLY AS THE MERCEDES STRUCTURE RUSTS (WHICH THEY CLAIM NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR), AND MANY OF THESE CARS COULD EASILY BE ON THE RO
Mileage: 200,047
DURING THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP OF AN 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320 THE FRONT TOP SPRING SUPPORT A.K.A RUSTS OUT AND CAN EASILY DISINTEGRATE CAUSING COMPLETE FALLOUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND IF HAPPENING IN THE HIGHWAY IT CAN EASILY KILL YOU. LUCKILY FOR ME IT HAPPENED IN A 30 MPH ROAD WHERE THE SPRING PERCH BROKE OFF AND THE WHOLE FRONT WHEEL GOT OUT OF PLACE LOCKING ITSELF UP. *TR
Mileage: 121,502
A/C, HEATER BLOWER, WINDOWS REGULATOR FAILED AS EXPECTED. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN IGNORED BY MANUFACTURER EVEN WHEN LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINT ABOUT IT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION THROUGH A RECALL OR AT LEAST ADMIT THERE'S A PROBLEM. THEN YOU ARE FORCED TO PURCHASE THE REGULATOR, MOTOR, AND MOUNTING BRACKET AT AN EXORBITANT PRICE ! I.E IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND IT WILL GO AWAY. I PURCHASED A MERCEDEZ AND ENDED UP WITH A CHRYSLER !!!!! *TR
THE COIL SPRING AND TWO ROUND PLASTIC PARTS JUST FELL OFF ON OUR 1998 E320 MERCEDES BENZ FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS 71,000 MILES AND NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. *TR
Mileage: 710,000
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.