2000 Mercedes-Benz E Class Problems

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

I PURCHASED A USED 2000 MERCEDES E320 ON NEAR THE END OF AUGUST 2004. APPROXIMATLY 45 DAYS LATER I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT LOW SPEED. IT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS A "RUBBER ON RUBBER" SQUEAKING NOISE. IT HAS SLOWLY GOTTEN LOUDER OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MERCEDES AROUND THIS YEAR. SINCE I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, I SUSPECT IT COULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT WAS "QUIETED DOWN" BY APPLYING A LUBRICANT. I HAVE NO WAY TO PROVE THAT. OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET CLAIM THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THAT WOULD BE A COST OF APPROXIMATLY $2000. THIS IS APPEARING TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES-BENZ, POSSIBLY JUST A FEW MODELS AND YEARS, AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THEM. THE AUTOMOBILE I PURCHASED CAME OFF THE MERCEDES LEASE PROGRAM.*AK

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.

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

I BOUGHT A USED MERCEDES BENZ E320 IN JULY 2004. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE FUSES REPLACED. FOR SOME REASON, THE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS A FUSE PROBLEM OR IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL...THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. IT HAS NEVER CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS. HOWEVER, IT IS ANNOYING AND DRAINS YOUR POCKETS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND FLUID. *JB

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

THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. THE CONSUMER CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHICH STATED FLUIDS SPILLED ON THE SHIFT DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. MERCEDES E320. *NLM

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

WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND FLUID. *JB

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

WHILE ENTERING VEHICLE AND STARTING ENGINE UP DOOR IS NOT PROPERLY SHUT. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT OR SOUND TO NOTIFY DRIVER OR PASSENGERS THAT DOOR OR DOORS ARE STILL OPEN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

I BOUGHT A USED MERCEDES BENZ E320 IN JULY 2004. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE FUSES REPLACED. FOR SOME REASON, THE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS A FUSE PROBLEM OR IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL...THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. IT HAS NEVER CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS. HOWEVER, IT IS ANNOYING AND DRAINS YOUR POCKETS.*AK

HEADLIGHT PLASTIC BULB HOLDER MELTED CAUSING WIRES TO BECOME BURNT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND FLUID. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND FLUID. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WAS OPENED TO LET SOME PEOPLE IN VEHICLE. AIR BAG IN THE DOOR PREMATURELY DEPLOYED. HE SAID THIS HAPPENED BEFORE PASSENGER COULD STAND FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHAT FRIGHTENED CONSUMER WAS THAT IT HAPPENED MOMENTS BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT ABOUT 70 MPH. *AK