Total Complaints
287 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ E320 · model year
287 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005MERCEDES-BENZE320 carries 287 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 8 fires, 19 injuries, and 4 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 2005 E320 is fuel/propulsion system with 81 filings, followed by service brakes (43) and fuel system, gasoline (39). 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 2005 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
287 filings
Crashes Reported
10 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 81 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 43 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 39 |
| AIR BAGS | 17 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 16 |
| ENGINE | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 6 |
| SUSPENSION | 6 |
| STEERING | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| VISIBILITY | 3 |
There has not been an incident report, however, my brakes failed while driving and I pulled over. This is the fault the SBC System which has an Extended 25 year warranty. I brought it into Mercedes prior to complete failure, but they only replace the Pressure Reservoir. It must be returned to Mercedes for the SBC UNIT replacement.
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated she had trapped her finger in the sunroof. The contact stated that the sunroof was loose. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
A warning in Red came up on the dashboard which said something like "catastrophic break failure" ..I was going slow about to stop at the Red light and the brakes did not work and I hit a mini van
car break looses 70% of its pressure and only left with 30% break. It happened 3-4 times already. break booster malfunction sign comes up. When i restart the car, malfunction sign goes away and it run ok for few days till it happen again. I am not driving it right now. it can cause serious accident at high speed
Break booster malfunction sign popped up 3-4 time while driving and I lost 70% of the break. Luckily it happened on local road at speed under 30mph. It is very dangerous and can result in an accident
While driving in highway, SBC brake failure warning and failure. Fortunate to be able to come to a stop without crashing into a car ahead since had plenty of time and distance to slowly come to a stop even with reduced braking power. If traveling in rush hour would likely have rear ended a stopped car in front and potentially causing serious injury and damage! This is a known issue with Mercedes, and there is an extended 25 year warranty on the vehicle but for some reason, my vehicle was not included in the recall: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 04V296000 2005 Mercedes e320 automatic sedan. I had the dealer replace parts of the the SBA brake unit once, but it has since reappeared on an intermittent basis usually during cold start and then it goes away in a few seconds while pulling out of a driveway, but this time it occurred after having driven for awhile on a freeway Please investigate to include additionally affected vehicles!!!
Brake warning lights flashed and brakes failed
Please see this discussion... 2005 Mercedes E320 SBC brake system should be recalled. Thanks for considering!
INSTRUMENT PANEL NOT WORKING FOR LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS OR LONGER DID NOT DRIVE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility) however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The passenger compartment smells like gasoline. This is due to an issue that was already investigated by nhtsa however the warranty that was extended is expired by two years. I just purchased this vehicle used and it is unsafe to drive. It did not smell like gas a few weeks ago when it was purchased. The odor is very strong in the passenger compartment.
FILLED UP GAS TANK AND HAD FUEL ODOR INSIDE CAR AND FUEL LEAKING OUTSIDE THE CAR UNTIL FUEL LEVEL WAS AROUND 3/4 OF A TANK. I BELIEVE THAT MINE FALLS UNDER ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS LISTED FOR FUEL LEAKS FOR OTHER W211 MERCEDES. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS WAS ONLY ALLOWED FOR ORIGINAL OWNERS AND NOT FOR ANYONE THAT PURCHASED USED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
SRS WARNING LIGHT ON. REPLACED SEAT CONTROL A 211 870 05 26. NO HELP. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SERVICE DECIDED TO REPLACE ENTIRE SEAT FRAME AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $2,800 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. SRS CODE WAS IDENTIFIED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND JUST STARTED IN ENCLOSED PARKING SPACE WITH DOOR OPEN.
Mileage: 126,240
SRS WARNING LIGHT ON. REPLACED SEAT CONTROL A 211 870 05 26. NO HELP. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SERVICE DECIDED TO REPLACE ENTIRE SEAT FRAME AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $2,800 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. SRS CODE WAS IDENTIFIED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND JUST STARTED IN ENCLOSED PARKING SPACE WITH DOOR OPEN.
Mileage: 126,240
SRS WARNING LIGHT ON. REPLACED SEAT CONTROL A 211 870 05 26. NO HELP. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SERVICE DECIDED TO REPLACE ENTIRE SEAT FRAME AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $2,800 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. SRS CODE WAS IDENTIFIED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND JUST STARTED IN ENCLOSED PARKING SPACE WITH DOOR OPEN.
Mileage: 126,240
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER SEAL AROUND THE SUNROOF SHIFTED OUT OF PLACE AND ALLOWED RAIN WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER ALSO ENTERED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CAUSED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES. THE CARPET WAS ALSO SOAKED FROM THE WATER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE CONTACT PLACED TAPE AROUND THE SUNROOF TO PREVENT FURTHER WATER INTRUSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Mileage: 190,000
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND RED WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND NO BRAKES
Mileage: 153,000
I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MERCEDES OF LITTLE ROCK AND REFERENCED MFG RECALL # 2019120012 AND NHTSA RECALL # 19V918. WHEN I SHOWED UP THIS MORNING AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER, I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO SHOW THEM THE WEBPAGE INFORMATION WITH MY PHONE AND THEY SAID IF IT DOESN'T SHOW UNDER THEIR VIN LOOKUP, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IS THERE A WAY TO APPEAL OR OTHER RECOURSE? THANK YOU
Mileage: 125,000
I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT (LUCKILY) AND MY CAR STARTED ROLLING FORWARD. I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARDER AND THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING FORWARD. I THREW THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED ON MY HAZARDS. THE POLICE SHOWED UP. HE TRIED PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD BUT IT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. MY HUSBAND SHOWED UP, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED TO A CLOSE PARKING LOT. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND CODES (C233D, C22BC, C23BD, C223C, C26DE, C25D5) FOR PRESSURE SYSTEM FAILURE AND PRESSURE FAILURE TO ALL FOUR TIRES AT THE SAME TIME. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED BEFORE ANY SENSOTRONIC WARRANTY WORK WOULD BE REIMBURSED. SO WE PAID $465.99 TO HAVE THEM FLUSHED AND WERE TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM WAS RETESTED AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. I WAS GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, BRAKE EARLY AND PRESS THE BRAKES REALLY HARD. IF WE GET A DIFFERENT CODE
Mileage: 89,000
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.