2008 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 2008 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
- Engine436.4%
- Fuel system218.2%
- Steering218.2%
- Suspension218.2%
- Body & structure19.1%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed turbo valve and a failed exhaust system. The contact was informed that the turbo valve and the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed engine failure. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V006000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.
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
FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE TANK. TOOK TO DEALER IN VALENCIA CA. THEY TIGHTENED THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE FOLLOWING WEEK WHEN WE FILLED UP, SAME ISSUE. RESPONDED VIA EMAIL TO SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. BROUGHT CAR BACK FOR SERVICE IN NOV 2014. DEALER SAYS CAR OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY 3 WEEKS. COST: $2500. OFFERS 15% OFF SERVICE, THIS IS A NICE GESTURE AND IT IS APPRECIATED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED (AND NOT CORRECTED) WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DEFECT INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AT NHTSA AND A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN GA. WE FEEL MB IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
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
LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT PARTS MANUFACTURED BY FEQ AND SUPPLIED THRU WORLDPAC ARE SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE. PARTS HAVE 18K MILES ON THEM AND ARE AT A FAILURE POINT. ALTHOUGH WE ARE UNUSBLE TO DETERMINE IF A PART FAILURE FROM DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER OR FROM IMPACT DAMAGE TO SUPPORTING FRAME WORK ... PICTURES ATTACHED.
ON TWO SEPARATE OCASSIONS, ABOUT 4 WEEKS APART STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT ON MERCEDES E CLASS. DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS A RARE OCASSION. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALER SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST TIME I WAS BILLED ABOUT $1,000. I AM GOING TO BE BILLED AGAIN WHEN THE CAR IS REPAIRED. *TR
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
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact heard a hissing noise coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed the rear suspension on the driver's side was deflated sitting very low to the ground. The contact stated when they entered the vehicle to turn it on they received an error message on the display console stating the vehicle too low to drive. A few weeks prior to the failure the contact had the vehicle repaired by a local dealer for the rear suspension toe link and is concerned the failure that occurred on the vehicle is related to that repair. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 155,000.
LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT PARTS MANUFACTURED BY FEQ AND SUPPLIED THRU WORLDPAC ARE SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE. PARTS HAVE 18K MILES ON THEM AND ARE AT A FAILURE POINT. ALTHOUGH WE ARE UNUSBLE TO DETERMINE IF A PART FAILURE FROM DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER OR FROM IMPACT DAMAGE TO SUPPORTING FRAME WORK ... PICTURES ATTACHED.
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
The vehicle previously underwent a sunroof recall repair; however, the repair appears to have been performed improperly. The sunroof seal was never replaced as required, which has resulted in ongoing water intrusion. The vehicle now shows two visible areas on the body with paint bubbling and surface rust consistent with water penetration and moisture retention caused by a failed or defective sunroof seal. The condition indicates long term exposure to water due to inadequate sealing following the recall service.
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 .