1998 Mercedes-Benz 320 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz 320, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility612.5%
- Fuel system510.4%
- Brakes510.4%
- Steering510.4%
- Interior & seats48.3%
- Engine48.3%
- Exterior lighting48.3%
- Suspension36.3%
- Body & structure36.3%
- Transmission36.3%
- Airbags24.2%
- Driver assistance12.1%
- Tires & wheels12.1%
- Other / unspecified12.1%
- Electrical12.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED, LUCKILY THE SHADE WAS CLOSED AND KEPT THE GLASS FROM ENTERING VEHICLE, TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS FREEZING . *SLC
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?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, STOPPING ALL OF A SUDDEN, AND FAILING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. OWNER SAID SHE ALMOST WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT FUEL PUMP WAS THE CAUSE. THIS WAS HER THIRD REPLACEMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES TO PARK PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES MOMENTARILY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO BE DIAGNOSED AGAIN. *AK
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?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE CONSTANTLY LOOSES OIL, POTENTIAL TO LOCK ENGINE.*AK
SOUTHERN STAR REPAIR SHOP 256-236-5389 HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH SAME PROBLEM IN JUNE, 2002. YOUR DATABASE ODI # 607611 APPEARS TO BE SAME. DEALERSHIP IN MONTGOMERY, AL AND KANSAS CITY, MO, HAVE SEEN SAME PART FAILURE. -- THANK YOU. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN 1998 MERCEDEZ E320, JUST EXITED NJ TURNPIKE AT EXIT 2, HEARD LOUD NOISE CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND LARGE SPRING DROPPED OUT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SIDE AND SWERVED. THE VEHICLE ALMOST HIT AN 18 WHEELER. ONCE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS REGAINED, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT A SPRING MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP SPECIALIST DETERMINED THAT CORROSION MUST HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY SALT. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED HOW OFTEN DEFECTS OF THIS NATURE OCCUR, THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS NEVER. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIR, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS NOT CONCERNED ENTIRELY ABOUT THE COST. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED EXTREME CONCERN REGARDING SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE; THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONTACT REMAINS UNCOMFORTABLE AND INSISTS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
UNDER CARRIAGE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED NOT SALT RELATED. *SCC
TRIM PIECE FAILED. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING TO CONTROL DOWNHILL SPEED SHIFT LEVER MOVED BETWEEN ALL SHIFT POSITIONS WITHOUT ENGAGING IN ANY GEAR, AND VEHICLE WAS FREEWHEELING. *AK
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?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG LIGHT ON FOR 1 WEEK. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO FOUND WIRE HARNESS FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONNECTOR SEEMED TO BE PROBLEM.*AK
WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, HITTING A STONE WALL ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK * MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND TWICE IN THE CITY THE CAR SURGED: FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED AND THE CAR SPED UP-UNTIL I BRAKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE TIRE TREAD DAMAGED THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $6000. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO MAIL THE BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA,TIRE SIZE 225/60/R16 TO THEM FOR A REFUND; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER RESPONDED VIA MAIL THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGES TO HER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE TIRE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CUP HOLDER MALFUNCTIONING. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .