2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 Problems

Unknown, the car filled with smoke from within the dashboard on driver side.

ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY. COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE IN 10-15 MINUTES. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT INDUCED THE FIRE BUT UNABLE TO BE SURE. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD MAINTENANCE, NO ENGINE WORK HAD BEEN DONE RECENTLY. LAST REPAIR WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACEMENT AFTER REPAIRING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK IN EARLY DECEMBER 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SUFFERED INJURIES. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER THE FAILURE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BELLEVUE (11850 BEL-RED RD, BELLEVUE, WA 98005) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD CONTACT HIM TO DISCUSS THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 231,000.

SRS LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. CAR WAS CHECKED IN A REPAIR SHOP. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATE A CODE WHICH HAD RECALL ISSUES. I CALLED A MERCEDES DEALER TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THIS. WHAT IS TO BE DONE WHEN AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!

Unknown, the car filled with smoke from within the dashboard on driver side.

THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS IS COMING OFF LEAVING EXPOSED COPPER WIRES THAT SHORT OUT CAUSING HEADLIGHTS, ETC. TO FAIL. *TR

ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY. COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE IN 10-15 MINUTES. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT INDUCED THE FIRE BUT UNABLE TO BE SURE. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD MAINTENANCE, NO ENGINE WORK HAD BEEN DONE RECENTLY. LAST REPAIR WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACEMENT AFTER REPAIRING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK IN EARLY DECEMBER 2018

WHEN VEH. IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR JUST IN A PARKING LOT, IT STALLS OR WILL NOT START RIGHT AWAY. EVENTUALLY IT STARTS AND AWAY WE GO. NEVER A WARNING WHATSOEVER. ALL FLUIDS ARE FULL AND BATTERY IS GOOD. REC. FUEL(GAS) IS ALWAYS USED.

IGNITION AND KEY DEFECTS CAUSES CAR TO STOP RUNNING AND STALL. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE, AND THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR IT. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL AT WORK AND ABOUT TO COME TO A STAND STILL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED JUMPED THE CURB AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THERE WAS LEAKAGE OF RADIATOR FLUID ON THE GROUND. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER ON 2 OCCASIONS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM WAS APPARENTLY FIXED BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AGAIN WITHIN 24 HRS OF THE FIRST REPAIR SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THE SAME DAY. THIS TIME THE CAR WAS KEPT FOR 5 DAYS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF . THE CAR WAS CHECKED FOR VACUUM LEAKS BUT NONE WAS FOUND. THE REPORT FROM THE DEALER READ THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAD A 113 PART NUMBER BUT SHOULD BE 112 PART NUMBER. REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW WITH 113 TEST AND THEN FOUND TO BE OKAY. ROAD TEST OKAY .NO CODES RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO MY HOME ON 11/16/12. I DROVE IT ON TWO OCCASIONS BEFORE12/1/12 AND IT DROVE FINE WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON AGAIN. *TR

2001 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO COMPLAINT CONCERNING CLOUDING OF THE HEADLIGHTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $450 TO REPLACE TWO POLYCARBONATE HEADLIGHT COVERS. THE CONSUMER FOUND ANOTHER COMPANY TO REPLACE THEM FOR $100. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A LARGE SUM OF MONEY. *JB

IGNITION AND KEY DEFECTS CAUSES CAR TO STOP RUNNING AND STALL. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION.

2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND DISCOVERED THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, HE TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS NOT WORKING EITHER. WITH GREAT EFFORT, HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RE-STARTED IT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. THE BRAKES AND STEERING ALSO RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION.

2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320. FRONT SPRING PERCH SURROUNDING PERCH STRUCTURE IS RUSTING THROUGH UNDERNEATH THE FACTORY UNDERCOATING. WE HAVE A 2" RUST THROUGH RIGHT NEXT TO THE SPRING PERCH. SURROUND PERIMTETER OF AROUND 5" RADIUS SHOW EXTENSIVE RUST OF VARIOUS DEGREE. THE RUST IS SO EXTENSIVE THAT IT COMPROMISES THE VEHICLE SAFETY. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IS VERY POSSIBLE. THIS RUST AROUND FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING PERCH IS PREVALENT IN EARLIER W210 BODY CHASSIS FROM 1996 TO 2002. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAS MADE MB DO A RECALL SERVICE. UNITED KINGDOM ALSO HAVE MASSIVE ISSUES WITH THE SPRING PERCH. SINCE THESE CARS ARE AT LEAST 9 YEARS OLD AND AS OLD AS 15 YEARS OLD... THE RUST HAS GOTTEN TO CERTAIN POINT IN VARIOUS DEGREE FROM CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO IMPENDING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. YOU NEED TO SCRAPE SUSPECT FLAKING UNDERCOATING TO REVEAL THE EXTENSIVE RUST BEHIND IT. OTHERWISE, THE UNDERCOATING MASKS THE POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES. *KB

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH ON A SMOOTH STRAIGHT ROAD, RIGHT FRONT UPPER COIL SPRING PERCH BROKE FREE FROM CHASSIS DUE TO RUST FAILURE OF SPRING PERCH CAUSING A LOAD NOISE AND THE CAR SLUMPED TO ONE SIDE. TIRES WERE CHANGED JUST TWO WEEKS EARLIER WITH NO SIGN OF TROUBLE. CAR IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP WAITING FOR ESTIMATE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ 320E. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID (2-3DROPS) TOTALLY DISABLED THE GEAR SHIFT/TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW CUP HOLDERS. DT

ON MARCH 10, 2009, I WAS PARKING MY 2001 E320 MERCEDES AT THE CITADEL MILITARY CAMPUS, WHEN SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE I WAS PARKING AND THEN THE CAR WAS ENGULFED INTO FLAMES.. *TR

UPON FILLING FUEL TANK, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS SPILLING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. CONSUMER CANNOT FILL THE FUEL TANK COMPLETELY. *AK *YD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SEAL DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 2008 MODEL VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE 2001 VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ OF FORT LAUDERDALE LOCATED AT 2411 S FEDERAL HWY, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316; (954) 949-0623) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME HOWEVER, THE 2001 MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 360,000.*LN*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW COLLAPSED INTO THE DOOR PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE THE GLASS FROM THE DOOR PANEL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDOW AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,479. UPDATED 10/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/26/10*JB

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND SEAT BELT BECAME DISENGAGED. AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT ALL SEAT BELTS WERE DISENGAGED. CONSUMER WAS INJURIED DURING ACCIDENT.*AK *NLM

2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND DISCOVERED THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, HE TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS NOT WORKING EITHER. WITH GREAT EFFORT, HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RE-STARTED IT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. THE BRAKES AND STEERING ALSO RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CUP HOLDER WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE GEAR SHIFT AND WHEN LIQUID SPILLS INTO THE GEAR SHIFT, IT SHUTS THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT SHORTED OUT THE CONTROLS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL IT DRIED OUT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136000.