RoadVitals

2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
231
Latest Feb 19, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
14

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%
  • 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.

122
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11429673 · filed Aug 18, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID 11390601 · filed Jan 29, 2021
All 122 reports naming fuel system

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

54
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11643797 · filed Feb 19, 2025

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

NHTSA ID 11555325 · filed Nov 15, 2023
All 54 reports naming brakes

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

22
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11339398 · filed Jul 14, 2020

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

NHTSA ID 11206150 · filed May 7, 2019
All 22 reports naming airbags

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

17
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11143924 · filed Oct 29, 2018

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

NHTSA ID 11128362 · filed Sep 9, 2018
All 17 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

16
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11128362 · filed Sep 9, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 11066980 · filed Feb 5, 2018
All 16 reports naming electrical

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

7
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11030499 · filed Sep 29, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID 10588423 · filed May 14, 2014

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.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11143924 · filed Oct 29, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 11030499 · filed Sep 29, 2017

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SQUEAKY FRONT SUSPENSION.

NHTSA ID 11124308 · filed Sep 4, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 11000567 · filed Jun 22, 2017

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.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10477400 · filed Sep 28, 2012

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.

NHTSA ID 10458640 · filed May 16, 2012

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.

5
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11568069 · filed Jan 26, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID 11432490 · filed Sep 10, 2021

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.

4
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10588423 · filed May 14, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 10172339 · filed Nov 1, 2006

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SQUEAKY FRONT SUSPENSION.

NHTSA ID 11124308 · filed Sep 4, 2018

SEAT BELT CHIME GOING OFF WHEN SEAT NOT OCCUPIED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10161149 · filed Jun 30, 2006

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.

3
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11339398 · filed Jul 14, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 10825918 · filed Feb 12, 2016

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10653217 · filed Nov 6, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID 10373242 · filed Dec 29, 2010

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

INSTRUMENT PANEL NOT WORKING FOR LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS OR LONGER DID NOT DRIVE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE

NHTSA ID 11455595 · filed Mar 7, 2022

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

NHTSA ID 10158286 · filed May 25, 2006

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10099157 · filed Nov 22, 2004

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

Data on this page last refreshed .