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1997 Mercedes Benz 420

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
22Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
16
199415
19951
199622
19975
1999
Compare all 420 years →

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

What owners reported most

Suspension
11Power Train
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Seat Belts
2Exterior Lighting
1
All reported categories
Latches/locks/linkages
1Seats
1Structure
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
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: 12 of 22 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 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

Structure complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
80,000 miles · Jul 26, 2004
StructureSuspension

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING HARD. THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FRAME WELL WAS BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB METAL ON FRAME WELL WAS REPLACED DUE TO FATIGUE. ALSO, FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BY CONSUMER IN AN AUCTIO…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING HARD. THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FRAME WELL WAS BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB METAL ON FRAME WELL WAS REPLACED DUE TO FATIGUE. ALSO, FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BY CONSUMER IN AN AUCTION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10080293

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.