NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
34 reports138,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Structure
MY 2000 E320 HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ISSUES THROUGH OUT THE ENTIRE BODY. I WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE USE OF A NEW WATER BASED PAINT USED BETWEEN 1997-2002 BUT BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD THEY CAN NOT HELP ME OR OFFER ME ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE WIT…
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MY 2000 E320 HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ISSUES THROUGH OUT THE ENTIRE BODY. I WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE USE OF A NEW WATER BASED PAINT USED BETWEEN 1997-2002 BUT BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD THEY CAN NOT HELP ME OR OFFER ME ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH THE ISSUE. I HAVE LOCATED ONLINE FORUMS WITH CONSUMERS WHO OWN THE SAME CAR AS MYSELF AND HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUES IN THE SAME PLACES AND RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION FROM MBUSA. THE WORST AREAS ARE IN EVERY WHEEL WELL CAUSING THE WHEEL WHEELS TO BUCKLE AND CHIP INTO THE SUSPENSION AND BREAK AREA AND IT HAS CAUSE THE FRAME OF THE CAR TO SEVERELY WEAKEN, IN ADDITION MY REAR TRUNK KEY HOLE AREA IS RUSTING THROUGH AND I WAS ADVISED IT WILL RUST THROUGH AND AT THAT POINT THE LOCKING MECHANISM WILL COME OFF AND I WILL AT THAT POINT NEED TO REPLACE THE TRUNK LID POSSIBLY CAUSING THE TRUNK TO INVOLUNTARY OPEN WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472635
148,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SPRING TOWER HAD FRACTURED. HE ALSO NOTICED CORROSION ON THE SPRING TOWER. NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SPRING TOWER HAD FRACTURED. HE ALSO NOTICED CORROSION ON THE SPRING TOWER. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
NHTSA ODI #10416902
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2011
Electrical System
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 E320. I HAVE BEEN HAVING CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH HEADLAMPS, FOG LIGHTS, AND BRAKE LAMPS GOING OUT VERY FREQUENTLY. OFTEN, I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT THE "LAMPS ARE INOPERABLE", AFTER CHECKING ALL BULBS, I FIND THIS IS NOT THE CASE, MERCEDES MAY NOT ADMIT TO THIS, BUT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM W…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 E320. I HAVE BEEN HAVING CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH HEADLAMPS, FOG LIGHTS, AND BRAKE LAMPS GOING OUT VERY FREQUENTLY. OFTEN, I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT THE "LAMPS ARE INOPERABLE", AFTER CHECKING ALL BULBS, I FIND THIS IS NOT THE CASE, MERCEDES MAY NOT ADMIT TO THIS, BUT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THEIR CARS. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY (TWO DAYS AGO) HAD MY PASSENGER SIDE BULB HOUSING MELT AWAY. DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT BEEN HAPPENING. I BELIEVE I AM LUCKY THAT THE CAR HAS NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE AS OF YET WITH ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE ONLY GOOD NEWS I HAVE ABOUT THESE CONSTANT PROBLEMS IS, THE BODY REPAIR COMPANY FOR MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH ATLANTA (GA), WILL SEE ME ON MONDAY TO SEE IF THEY CAN REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS HOUSING, PROVIDED THEY HAVE ONE IN STOCK. SO, "WISH ME LUCK" AND PRAY FOR MERCEDES TO DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS...... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392173
82,000 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES E 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY PANEL ON THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACTS PERSONAL MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHIN A YEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE RUST, BUT THE CONTACT STATED TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES E 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY PANEL ON THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACTS PERSONAL MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHIN A YEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE RUST, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS INFORMATION ONLINE SUGGESTING THAT THE MANUFACTURER MAY HAVE USED WATER BASED PAINT ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA ODI #10359148
87,500 miles · May 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAULTY CAM AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAUSED ENGINE TO DIE (STALL) IN THE MID TRAFFIC ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS. DEALER REPLACED CAM POSITION SENSOR 003-153-28-28 AND SENDER UNIT 004-153-69-28, INDICATING THE CAUSE AS AN INTERNAL FAULT. DEALER'S SERVICE REP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROB…
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FAULTY CAM AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAUSED ENGINE TO DIE (STALL) IN THE MID TRAFFIC ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS. DEALER REPLACED CAM POSITION SENSOR 003-153-28-28 AND SENDER UNIT 004-153-69-28, INDICATING THE CAUSE AS AN INTERNAL FAULT. DEALER'S SERVICE REP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10331967
130,000 miles · Jan 5, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 320 WAGON WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED IN MARCH 2003. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 40 MPH, THE CONTACT THOUGHT HE HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING AND THERE WAS A VIOLENT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN HE COULD HEARD A GRINDING AND THUMPIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS 320 WAGON WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED IN MARCH 2003. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 40 MPH, THE CONTACT THOUGHT HE HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING AND THERE WAS A VIOLENT VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN HE COULD HEARD A GRINDING AND THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. HE THEN NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS ACTUALLY INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING PERCH FAILED CAUSING THE FRONT END PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 130,000. UPDATED 01/19/10 *BF THE AIR MASS FLOW SENSOR AND OUTER TIE ROD WERE REPLACED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND WERE REPLACED. THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW RINGS AND A VALVE SEAL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAULT WITH THE CLUTCHES. THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY. THE LEFT WINDOW REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 01/20/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10298324
90,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Electrical System
90K MILES GAUGE CLUSTER LED CLOCK AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DISPLAYS FAILING. CAN NOT READ NUMBER. NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES AND IT'S A 2000 I HAD A 1996 AND NOW A 1993 WITH ALMOST TWICE THE MILEAGE AND ALL THE DISPLAYS WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295926
30,000 miles · Dec 7, 2009
Electrical System
MY CAR IS A 2000 MERCEDES E320 WITH ONLY 43,000 MILES AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR THE LAST 10,000 MILES. THE BENZ WON'T REPLACE IT OR FIX IT. THE DISPLAYS DON'T WORK!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294681
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2008
Electrical System
2000 E320 CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING WHAT NUMBER AND DATE IS NOT SHOWING UP. I SEE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247436
74,200 miles · Aug 22, 2008
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A SMALL AMOUNT OF CONDENSATION DRIPPED FROM A WATER BOTTLE SITTING IN THE CENTER CUP HOLDER. IMMEDIATELY, THE WIDOWS WENT DOWN STARTLING ME AS TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE WINDOW BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND AT THIS POINT WAS STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE WINDOW UP USING THE KEYLESS REM…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A SMALL AMOUNT OF CONDENSATION DRIPPED FROM A WATER BOTTLE SITTING IN THE CENTER CUP HOLDER. IMMEDIATELY, THE WIDOWS WENT DOWN STARTLING ME AS TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE WINDOW BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND AT THIS POINT WAS STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE WINDOW UP USING THE KEYLESS REMOTE. LATER THAT DAY, THE SWITCH BEGAN TO WORK THE WINDOWS BUT THE REAR WINDOWS NO LONGER WORK FROM THE FRONT SWITCHES NOR DOES THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR. UPON INVESTIGATION, OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE PROVING A DESIGN FLAW. THE ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY POSITIONED BELOW THE CUP HOLDER IS NOT WATER PROOF AND THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF WATER WILL SHORT CIRCUIT THE SYSTEM. OTHERS HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION LOCK DUE TO THE WATER INGRESS. MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD PROVIDE REPAIR UNDER A RECALL AND PROVIDE A REPAIR THAT WILL WATER PROOF THE CIRCUITS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239386
NHTSA investigations
3DP05007 · Transmission Malfunction
Opened Nov 7, 2005 · Closed Mar 27, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE CONTAMINATED ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE.SIMILARLY, IN PETITIONER?S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE SAFETY STOPPED AFTER THE LIQUID SPILLAGE.THE PETITIONER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING AND THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE CONTAMINATED ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE.SIMILARLY, IN PETITIONER?S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE SAFETY STOPPED AFTER THE LIQUID SPILLAGE.THE PETITIONER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING AND THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE CONTAMINATED ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE.SIMILARLY, IN PETITIONER?S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE SAFETY STOPPED AFTER THE LIQUID SPILLAGE.THE PETITIONER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING AND THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
PE03058 · Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure
Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Apr 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
SQ01010 · Sudden Engine Shut Down
Opened Sep 25, 2001 · Closed Feb 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.