2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320, 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
- Fuel system12244.0%
- Brakes5419.5%
- Airbags227.9%
- Engine176.1%
- Electrical165.8%
- Powertrain (other)72.5%
- Driver assistance62.2%
- Suspension62.2%
- Steering62.2%
- Visibility51.8%
- Transmission41.4%
- Seat belts31.1%
- Interior & seats31.1%
- Tires & wheels31.1%
- Exterior lighting20.7%
- Body & structure10.4%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The passenger compartment smells like gasoline. This is due to an issue that was already investigated by nhtsa however the warranty that was extended is expired by two years. I just purchased this vehicle used and it is unsafe to drive. It did not smell like gas a few weeks ago when it was purchased. The odor is very strong in the passenger compartment.
FILLED UP GAS TANK AND HAD FUEL ODOR INSIDE CAR AND FUEL LEAKING OUTSIDE THE CAR UNTIL FUEL LEVEL WAS AROUND 3/4 OF A TANK. I BELIEVE THAT MINE FALLS UNDER ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS LISTED FOR FUEL LEAKS FOR OTHER W211 MERCEDES. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS WAS ONLY ALLOWED FOR ORIGINAL OWNERS AND NOT FOR ANYONE THAT PURCHASED USED.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
There has not been an incident report, however, my brakes failed while driving and I pulled over. This is the fault the SBC System which has an Extended 25 year warranty. I brought it into Mercedes prior to complete failure, but they only replace the Pressure Reservoir. It must be returned to Mercedes for the SBC UNIT replacement.
A warning in Red came up on the dashboard which said something like "catastrophic break failure" ..I was going slow about to stop at the Red light and the brakes did not work and I hit a mini van
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
SRS WARNING LIGHT ON. REPLACED SEAT CONTROL A 211 870 05 26. NO HELP. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SERVICE DECIDED TO REPLACE ENTIRE SEAT FRAME AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $2,800 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. SRS CODE WAS IDENTIFIED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND JUST STARTED IN ENCLOSED PARKING SPACE WITH DOOR OPEN.
TAKATA RECALL: THE SRS LIGHT IN MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. IT JUST HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WITHOUT ANY REASON. MY CONCERN IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT, WOULD THE AIR BAGS STILL WORK. I'M WONDERING IF THIS ISSUE COMES FROM THE MANUFACTURE BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD OF SOME OF THE BENZ FROM THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME ISSUE
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR SHUT OFF RANDOMLY BY GOING SAFE MODE WHILE DRIVING, CONSTANT BREAK WARNING IN BRIGHT RED " BREAK VISIT WORKSHOP" I WENT TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND A CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT, PROBLEM TO BE DETERMINED, CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I PURCHASED IT FROM THE USED CAR DEALER WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. THE CAR HAS HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, BOTH BATTERIES TWICE, ONE SHORT WAS FOUND IN FAULTY WIRING HARNESS IN TRUCK BEING PINCHED. THE DEALER WOULD DENY SBC UNIT RECALL EVERY TIME I CALLED FLETCHER JONES, AND ONLY GAVE ME THE OPTION TO PAY THEM FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THEN THEY WILL DETERMINE IF ITS FAULTY INSTEAD OF MY LIFE BEING RISKED AS WELL AS THOSE AROUND ME I FINALLY TRACKED DOWN THE NUMBER FOR CORPORATE AND I GOT CONFORMATION FROM MERCEDES CORPORATE SAY MY VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE LIST. THE CAR WOULD LEAVE ME WITHOUT BREAKS, POWER STEERING MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALWAYS WITHOUT NOTICE OCCURRING MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY. THE SBC UNIT WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY A SUPPOSED AUTHORIZED SHOP AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE HAD DRAINED THE BATTERIES YET AGAIN SO THE CAR WAS GARAGED AT MY PARENTS WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THAT LOCATION WHICH MAKES THIS WHOLE ORDEAL EVEN MORE OUTRAGEOUS DUE TO MERCEDES MAJOR LACK OF CONCERN WITH THIS AND THEY STILL WANT ME TO PAY THEM TO FIX IT BEFORE THEY WILL EVEN DECIDE TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE MANY DIFFERENT QUARTERLY REPORT PRINT OUTS AS WELL, OUT OF THE 100S OF 1000S DOCUMENTED TO POSSIBLE 2 MILLION TOTAL FAULTY CARS , MY CAR HAD ALMOST ALL OF DIFFERENT SAFETY ISSUES REPORTED. BOUGHT CAR @ 73K MI, CAUGHT FIRE, BLEW HOLE IN MANIFOLD @ 123K, JUST ISN'T RIGHT, SEEMS THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP TRUE AMOUNT OF FAULTY CARS IN US BY ASKING CONFIDENTIALITY BY NHTSA GRANTED BLACKED FILES ILLEGIBLE
BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SO IT WAS CHARGED THEN RECONNECTED, EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO ON POSITION EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO START AND BANG! LOUD BANG AND WHITE SMOKE EVERYWHERE, ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER EXPLOSION, HOLE IN FRONT OF ENGINE
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SO IT WAS CHARGED THEN RECONNECTED, EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO ON POSITION EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO START AND BANG! LOUD BANG AND WHITE SMOKE EVERYWHERE, ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER EXPLOSION, HOLE IN FRONT OF ENGINE
THE CAR IS BEING HACKED INTO BY MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS ACROSS TRIPLE CITIES. THE HACKERS ARE ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS, SHIFT GEARS, TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CONTROL THE RADIO AND CD PLAYER, OPEN THE HOOD TO STEAL OIL AND CONTROL THE COMPLETE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAR. INCLUDING TURNING ON THE CABIN LIGHTS, BLACKING OUT THE ODOMETER ALONG WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF WHEN DESIRED THIS INCLUDES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. BECAUSE THEY CAN UNLOCK THE DOORS AND ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE HOOD AND GAS DOOR. THIS ALLOWED THEM TO BREAK THE RADIATOR, DAMAGE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND STEAL GAS. ALSO SINCE THE HACKERS HAVE ACCESS THEY HAVE DESTROYED THE DRIVERS SEAT, CRACK THE WOOD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DOOR TRIM, REMOVED THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT DOORS, AND DESTROYED THE CENTER ARM REST. THE RF FIELD IS CONTROLLED BY THEM, AND LOUD CRACKING SOUNDS ARE REMOTELY INTRODUCED WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND KEY REMOVED. THE TELE- AID IS ALSO ACTIVITIES REMOTELY ON OCCASION AS WELL. THE FBI HAS BEEN NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL ALONG WITH THE CAR MAKER WHO TOLD ME NOT TO CONTACT THEM AGAIN. THREE DEALERSHIPS CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND NONE KNEW HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. MERCEDES BENZ IN GERMANY WAS NOTIFIED BY EMAI AND SAID MERCEDES USA HAS MY INFORMATION I'M THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THIS WAS OVER 2 YEARS AGO WITH NO CONTACT FROM THEM REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ALL ATTEMPTS TO REACH THEM BY PHONE VIA CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS FAILED. MULTIPLE POLICE REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH SEVERAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXITED THE HIGHWAY. UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MARIETTA (810 COBB PKWY S, MARIETTA, GA 30060 (770) 783-5171), BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30305 (800) 399-3804) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWAITING A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, IN WHICH THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY SHIFT SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
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
CAR SHUT OFF RANDOMLY BY GOING SAFE MODE WHILE DRIVING, CONSTANT BREAK WARNING IN BRIGHT RED " BREAK VISIT WORKSHOP" I WENT TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND A CONSISTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT, PROBLEM TO BE DETERMINED, CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I PURCHASED IT FROM THE USED CAR DEALER WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. THE CAR HAS HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, BOTH BATTERIES TWICE, ONE SHORT WAS FOUND IN FAULTY WIRING HARNESS IN TRUCK BEING PINCHED. THE DEALER WOULD DENY SBC UNIT RECALL EVERY TIME I CALLED FLETCHER JONES, AND ONLY GAVE ME THE OPTION TO PAY THEM FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THEN THEY WILL DETERMINE IF ITS FAULTY INSTEAD OF MY LIFE BEING RISKED AS WELL AS THOSE AROUND ME I FINALLY TRACKED DOWN THE NUMBER FOR CORPORATE AND I GOT CONFORMATION FROM MERCEDES CORPORATE SAY MY VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE LIST. THE CAR WOULD LEAVE ME WITHOUT BREAKS, POWER STEERING MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALWAYS WITHOUT NOTICE OCCURRING MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY. THE SBC UNIT WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY A SUPPOSED AUTHORIZED SHOP AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE HAD DRAINED THE BATTERIES YET AGAIN SO THE CAR WAS GARAGED AT MY PARENTS WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THAT LOCATION WHICH MAKES THIS WHOLE ORDEAL EVEN MORE OUTRAGEOUS DUE TO MERCEDES MAJOR LACK OF CONCERN WITH THIS AND THEY STILL WANT ME TO PAY THEM TO FIX IT BEFORE THEY WILL EVEN DECIDE TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE MANY DIFFERENT QUARTERLY REPORT PRINT OUTS AS WELL, OUT OF THE 100S OF 1000S DOCUMENTED TO POSSIBLE 2 MILLION TOTAL FAULTY CARS , MY CAR HAD ALMOST ALL OF DIFFERENT SAFETY ISSUES REPORTED. BOUGHT CAR @ 73K MI, CAUGHT FIRE, BLEW HOLE IN MANIFOLD @ 123K, JUST ISN'T RIGHT, SEEMS THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP TRUE AMOUNT OF FAULTY CARS IN US BY ASKING CONFIDENTIALITY BY NHTSA GRANTED BLACKED FILES ILLEGIBLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXITED THE HIGHWAY. UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MARIETTA (810 COBB PKWY S, MARIETTA, GA 30060 (770) 783-5171), BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30305 (800) 399-3804) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWAITING A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
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
SQUEAKY FRONT SUSPENSION.
PURCHASE THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY 2017 SMELLS LIKE GAS IS SEEPING OUT FROM SOMEWHERE. STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING CAR AND AIRBAG SUSPENSION LIGHT IS ON.
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
CABLE HARNESS AND CONNECTORS IN STEERING COLUMN AIRBAG, POOR CONNECTION FROM USING STEERING WHEEL. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS DISINTEGRATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FRONT THRUST ARMS WITH BUSHINGS HAD TORN BOOTS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION DATA LINK CONNECTOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
ON A RIGHT TURN THE RACK AND PINION MECHANICAL PART FAILED. STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, AND ALMOST CAUSED A MOVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE MECHANICAL FAILURE CAUSED A BLOW BACK OF FLUID WITH METAL FILINGS INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PUMP OVERFLOWED ONTO THE BELT. THE BELT THEN STRESSED THE WATER PUMP UNTIL IT TOO WAS BROKEN. $8,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V954000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated she had trapped her finger in the sunroof. The contact stated that the sunroof was loose. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V918000 (Visibility) however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, IN WHICH THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY SHIFT SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
CAR WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE FROM REDUCED SPEED. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON ENTRY TO FLORIDA TURNPIKE. CAR REQUIRED CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN QUARTER OF MILE TO REACH 50 MPH. ALMOST REAR ENDED BY TEN WHEELER THAT COULD NOT MOVE TO PASSING LANE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEALER CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE SITUATION. DEALER FOUND FAULTY GLOW PLUG. DOUBTFUL THAT THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH PROBLEM. DEALER NOW CHECKING PROBLEM AGAIN. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS DURING PAST TEN DAYS. ALMOST REAR ENDED BY TEN WHEELER *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SQUEAKY FRONT SUSPENSION.
SEAT BELT CHIME GOING OFF WHEN SEAT NOT OCCUPIED. *JB
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
SRS WARNING LIGHT ON. REPLACED SEAT CONTROL A 211 870 05 26. NO HELP. SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SERVICE DECIDED TO REPLACE ENTIRE SEAT FRAME AT A COST IN EXCESS OF $2,800 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. SRS CODE WAS IDENTIFIED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND JUST STARTED IN ENCLOSED PARKING SPACE WITH DOOR OPEN.
CAR HAS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. UPON REMOVAL OF BACK SEAT IT APPEARS WET WITH GAS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ON FEBRUARY 5, 2016 ON MY E320 (2005) BENZ AND THE ODOR STARTED TO GIVE ME HEADACHES. I TOOK CAR FOR SHAMPOO AND THEN CONSULTED WITH MECHANIC WHO REMOVED BACK SEAT AND FOUND WET AREA WITH GAS.
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
IN JUNE OF 2011 I PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR MICHELIN P215/60R16 PRIMACY MXV4 TIRES FOR MY 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320 AUTOMOBILE. IN JULY OF 2014 ONE OF THE TIRES FAILED (LOST AIR PRESSURE WHILE PARKED) WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE ON A WEEKEND TRIP OUT OF TOWN. THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP THAT REPAIRED THE FLAT INFORMED US THAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ? THE SIDEWALL HAD FAILED AND THE TIRE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILED MICHELIN TIRE HAD BEEN INSTALLED FOR 3 YEARS AND HAD 50% OF THE USABLE TREAD WEAR REMAINING (MEASURED LATER BY DISCOUNT TIRE). WE TEMPORARILY REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A NON-MICHELIN TIRE AND SAVED THE FAILED MICHELIN. WHEN RETURNING FROM OUR TRIP WE TOOK THE FAILED MICHELIN BACK TO THE DISCOUNT TIRE SHOP WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE SET. USING THE ROAD HAZARD GUARANTEES WHEN PURCHASING THE SET, DISCOUNT TIRE REPLACED THE FAILED MICHELIN WITH A NEW MICHELIN. WHILE PERFORMING OTHER VEHICLE MAINTENANCE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 I OBSERVED A SECOND MICHELIN TIRE WITH A SIDEWALL CRACK FOLLOWING THE WHEEL BEAD FOR SEVERAL INCHES BEFORE PROGRESSING RADIALLY. I AGAIN TOOK THE FAILED MICHELIN BACK TO THE DISCOUNT TIRE SHOP WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE SET. THE FAILED MICHELIN TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE USABLE TREAD WEAR REMAINING. USING THE ROAD HAZARD GUARANTEES WHEN PURCHASING THE SET, DISCOUNT TIRE REPLACED THE FAILED MICHELIN WITH A NEW MICHELIN. IN OCTOBER OF 2014 I PURCHASED A USED CAR WITH MICHELIN TIRES INSTALLED. SINCE RECENTLY EXPERIENCING MICHELIN TIRE FAILURES I EXAMINED THE USED CAR MICHELINS AND, SURE ENOUGH, I DISCOVERED A TIRE WITH THREE SIGNIFICANT INCIPIENT SIDEWALL FAILURES. THESE SIDEWALL FAILURES OF DIFFERENT YEAR MANUFACTURE MICHELIN TIRES SEEMS TO ME TO INDICATE A PATTERN OF QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEMS. MY LIMITED EXPERIENCE WITH THESE FAILURES SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT HAVING THE TIRE ON A VEHICLE FRONT POSITION ACCELERATES CRACK PROPAGATION. I WOULD LIKE TO ATTACH PICTURES OF THE TIRES (FOOT LONG CRACK - WORST CASE). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320 CDI (NA) EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES (MODEL AND SIZE UNKNOWN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT HAD THE TIRE CHANGED. THE VEHCIEL WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIRE. THE CONTACT WROTE A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
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
INSTRUMENT PANEL NOT WORKING FOR LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS OR LONGER DID NOT DRIVE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OUT OF SERVICE 18 DAYS, SRS/AIRBAG FAILURES OUT OF SERVICE 18 DAYS, AC/DEFROST BLOWER MOTOR FAILURES OUT OF SERVICE 12 DAYS, BRAKES OUT OF SERVICE 9 DAYS, TRANSMISSION (IDLE SURGE/UP SHIFTING/STALLING) OUT OF SERVICE 10 DAYS, FRONT END/TIRES OUT OF SERVICE 10 DAYS. DURING THE LEMON LAW FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT, THE DEALER WROTE ON WORK ORDER THAT THEY HAD INSTALLED NEW BRAKES BECAUSE THEY FOUND "AFTER MARKET BRAKES" ON CAR. THE ONLY PLACE THE CAR HAS EVER BEEN SERVICED WAS THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT. WE ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER (FIRST THEY SAID THE BRAKES WERE THROWN OUT AND THEN THEY SAID THE PARTS WERE SHIPPED TO MB) AND WROTE TWO CERTIFIED LETTERS TO MERCEDES BENZ FOR THE REMOVED PARTS SO WE COULD TRACK THE SERIAL NUMBERS. WE WERE IGNORED. THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE WHO INITIATED THE "BRAKE REPLACEMENT" WAS CONVENIENTLY "PROMOTED OUT OF THE AREA" JUST BEFORE THE LEMON LAW HEARING SO HE COULD NOT BE QUESTIONED. WE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKES, ESPECIALLY THE STOPPING DISTANCE, FROM THE BEGINNING AND THEY KEPT SAYING NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE DEALER WOULD NOT DOCUMENT IT ON THE WORK ORDERS. *JB
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
THERE WAS A REFLECTOR OF THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE THAT REFLECTED IN THE SIDE MIRROR. WHEN THE CONSUMER ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN THE REFLECTION WAS GONE. THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WAS ALSO SEEN IN THE WINDOW. *JB *SC
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 .