Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
19 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2012
Suspension
4/3/2012 FOR 2 DAYS RATTLE FROM LEFT FRONT END. HAD IT CHECKED AT INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALER. SAID STRUT BUSHING DRY. LUBED IT. A FEW HOURS LATER NOSE INTENSIFIED AND SPRING AND OTHER PIECES FELL ONTO ROAD AS I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO CONDO DRIVEWAY. HAVING IT TOWED TO DEALER. HAD I BEEN AT SPEED AND/OR IN TRAFFIC THINGS COULD HAVE T…
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4/3/2012 FOR 2 DAYS RATTLE FROM LEFT FRONT END. HAD IT CHECKED AT INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALER. SAID STRUT BUSHING DRY. LUBED IT. A FEW HOURS LATER NOSE INTENSIFIED AND SPRING AND OTHER PIECES FELL ONTO ROAD AS I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO CONDO DRIVEWAY. HAVING IT TOWED TO DEALER. HAD I BEEN AT SPEED AND/OR IN TRAFFIC THINGS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT VERY BAD. ALL 97 E320'S SHOULD HAVE THIS AREA INSPECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454019
190,000 miles · Jan 9, 2007
Structure
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES 320. THE CONTACT'S SPRING PERCH THAT HOLDS THE SPRING IN FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION WELL TIP BROKE AND CAME APART FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MILES PER HOUR. PER THE CONTACT, IT SEEMD TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM BY MERCEDES AND A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNE…
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCEDES 320. THE CONTACT'S SPRING PERCH THAT HOLDS THE SPRING IN FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION WELL TIP BROKE AND CAME APART FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MILES PER HOUR. PER THE CONTACT, IT SEEMD TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM BY MERCEDES AND A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED OF THE RISK AND DANGER INVOLVED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MERCEDES WILL REPAIR SOME BUT NOT ALL OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL MERCEDES. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THEREWAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACTWAS AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW OF THE WELD STRUCTURAL PART OF THE FRAME WHICH CAME APART.
NHTSA ODI #10178233
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2004
Suspension
THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE CORRODED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT END WILL COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10099146
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
"BLACK ELECTRICAL JUNCTION/HARNESS BOX" WAS FOUND WITH A STRONG ELECTRICAL SMELL OF ELECTRICITY BURNING THROUGH PART OF THE BOX.*AK. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK.*JB *TS
NHTSA ODI #10015312
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A 40 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH FRONTAL DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #885240
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2001
Suspension
SINCE PURCHASE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PULLING TO RIGHT. TOOK TO DEALER 4- 5 TIMES, DID WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND CHANGED TIRES. VEHICLE WILL NOT RETAIN A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, CONSTANTLY PULLS TO RIGHT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #882723
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Electrical SystemPower Train
MBZ REPLACED TRANSMISSION & ELECTRONIC SENDING UNIT AT WHICH POINT I BECAME AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAD HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS AND IT JUST SEEMED TO BE ESCALATING. I TURNED THE CAR IN FOR VOLUNTARY REPOSSESSION AND PAID A $15,000 PENALTY.
NHTSA ODI #717607
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717604
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717603
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1999
Air Bags
FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE AIR BAG ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DEPLOYED.VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852750
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Mercedes Benz 320 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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