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1998 Mercedes Benz 320

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 19

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
29
199514
199619
199739
199830
199917
200017
2001
Compare all 320 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Visibility
6Exterior Lighting
5Steering
5Engine And Engine Cooling
4Fuel System, Gasoline
4
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Power Train
3Seats
3Structure
3Suspension
3Air Bags
2Electrical System
1Equipment
1Fuel System, Other
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 39 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

5 reports
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100,000 miles · Nov 8, 2006
Exterior Lighting

HEAD LAMP COVERS ON THE MERCEDES "E" CLASS TURN FROM CLEAR TO A FOGY TRANSLUCENT OVER TIME. ONCE THE HEAD LIGHT LENS TURNS TRANSLUCENT THE HEAD LIGHT BEAM IS NO LONGER ABLE TO TRANSMIT LIGHT AS FAR DOWN THE ROAD AS THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. THE HEAD LAMP IS ALSO NO LONGER CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING LIGHT AS TO THE …

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HEAD LAMP COVERS ON THE MERCEDES "E" CLASS TURN FROM CLEAR TO A FOGY TRANSLUCENT OVER TIME. ONCE THE HEAD LIGHT LENS TURNS TRANSLUCENT THE HEAD LIGHT BEAM IS NO LONGER ABLE TO TRANSMIT LIGHT AS FAR DOWN THE ROAD AS THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. THE HEAD LAMP IS ALSO NO LONGER CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING LIGHT AS TO THE U.S. DOT STANDARDS. THIS SITUATION LEAD TO AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR ALL DRIVERS OF THE "E" CLASS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172946

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2002
Exterior Lighting

CAR STARTED BURNING OUT LIGHT BULBS AND HORNS, 25 INCIDENTS, FROM 02/15/1998 TO 03/06/2002. TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LIGHTS INCLUDED TAIL LIGHTS/ HEADLIGHTS/ FOG LIGHTS/ SIDE MARKERS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MB E320'S IN THE DEALERS FOR SAME REASON.*AK

NHTSA ODI #759770

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2000
Exterior LightingPower TrainSeats

TRNSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, REPEATED FAILURE OF WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC SEATS REAR ENTRY AND BRAKE LIGHTS, INDICATE SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WARRANTY COVERS THE REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CAR HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE 1998 320 CLK? WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS?

NHTSA ODI #720630

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

LEFT TURN SIGNAL. LOCK ON BACK HATCH.

NHTSA ODI #609680

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 1999
Exterior Lighting

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH HAS BROKEN IN 9 MONTHS. IF YOU OPERATE THE SWITCH ON OR OFF WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE NOT POINTED STRAIGHT AHEAD (E.G. A CURVED ROAD), YOU CAN FEEL THE POOR OPERATION OF THIS SWITCH. IT NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705006

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.