2009 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 2009 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 system436.4%
- Engine327.3%
- Body & structure19.1%
- Driver assistance19.1%
- Electrical19.1%
- Exterior lighting19.1%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL LEAK FROM THE SEAL ON FUEL PUMP IN THE FUEL TANK. SMALL PAD OF FUEL ON A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. ODOR SMELL WITH A/C ON. *TR
I WAS CHANGING LANES AND WENT TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER IS A PLASTIC(YES PLASTIC) ROD THAT OPENS THE INTAKE TO INITIATE TURBO BOOST. THE FACT THAT HIS ROD IS MADE OF PLASTIC THAT CAN BREAK SO EASILY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL IS DANGEROUS. MERCEDES BENZ IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE A QUALITY CAR THAT IS VERY COSTLY AND IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT IT IS MADE SO SHODDY CREATING A FALSE SENSE OF SAFETY AND QUALITY. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND NOW HAVE TO FIX THIS JUNK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE HESITATION WAS PERSISTENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INLET PORT SHUTOFF MOTOR AND LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,818.
THE OIL COOLER ON THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL. THIS IS A LARGE, 15 HOUR REPAIR, THE TOTAL ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE COOLER AND SEALS IS $2350. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS REPAIR DONE YET. ALSO HAD OTHER OIL SEALS REPLACED IN THE TURBO AREA OF THE ENGINE WHICH COST ME $989.91.
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
CHECKING ON UNREPAIRED RECALL NHTSA#19V91832/RECALL#2019120012. THIS RECALL DESCRIBED AS PROBLEM WITH BONDING BETWEEN GLASS PANEL AND THE SLIDING ROOF FRAME, WHICH COULD LEAD IN SEPARATION OF THE GLASS PANEL FROM THE VEHICLE. I INTERPRET THIS TO BE THE SUNROOF GLASS DETACHING FROM THE FRAME ENDANGERING OTHERS. THIS RECALL APPEARS TO BE OPEN ON MY VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS THUS FAR.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE HESITATION WAS PERSISTENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INLET PORT SHUTOFF MOTOR AND LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,818.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
2 HIGHWAY STALLINGS: 1) DEC.1. 2009 TRAVELING ON I-95 SOUTH AT 70MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED, MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER. CAR TOWED TO BENZ DEALER 90 MILES AWAY. THEY CHANGED A NEW FUEL PUMP IN CHARLESTON, SC. CONTINUED DRIVING ON 2) DEC.3,2009, AFTER 400+ MILES ON I-95 SOUTH AT 70MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AGAIN, MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER. CAR TOWED TO BENZ DEALER IN MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. THEY CHANGED ANOTHER FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. NOW I AM DRIVING WITH MY FINGER CROSSED. *TR
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
THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK THAT GOES TO THE REAR BRAKE AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS FAILED AND OPENS THE TRUNK FAILED. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE OR THE BUTTON IN THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY WAS TO USE THE VALET KEY. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING IN THE DASH ABOUT ALL OF THESE LIGHTS BEING OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE GROUND WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE TRUNK LINER AND THE TRUNK LID HAD BROKEN DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. *TR
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 .