SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

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

Steering complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
89,941 miles · Feb 10, 2004
Steering

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE AN ESSENTIAL PART WAS MISSING. *AK THERE WAS LOW FLUID. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER STEERING CYLINDER LEAKED INTO THE BOOT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10046094

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1999
Electrical SystemSteeringFire

AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. IT TOOK 5 FIRE TRUCKS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851980

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineSteeringVisibility

EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE SUNROOF/WINDOWS/LARM MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO FUEL PUMP FAILURE. CAR IS BECOMING A LEMON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705861

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineSteering

STEERING WHEEL ROD BROKE WHILE CHANGING LANE CAUSING A SEVERE INJURY TO DRIVERS RIGHT HAND.

NHTSA ODI #543477

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 1997
Steering

THE TIE ROD FAILED, DROPPING DOWNWARD AND WEDGES DOWNWARD INTO THE INNER SURFACE OF THE WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI #527587

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.