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1998 Mercedes Benz 320

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 6 of 39 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Suspension complaints

3 reports
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115,287 miles · Apr 2, 2008
Suspension

DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN 1998 MERCEDEZ E320, JUST EXITED NJ TURNPIKE AT EXIT 2, HEARD LOUD NOISE CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND LARGE SPRING DROPPED OUT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223203

109,000 miles · Jun 21, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SIDE AND SWERVED. THE VEHICLE ALMOST HIT AN 18 WHEELER. ONCE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS REGAINED, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT A SPRING MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE T…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SIDE AND SWERVED. THE VEHICLE ALMOST HIT AN 18 WHEELER. ONCE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS REGAINED, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT A SPRING MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP SPECIALIST DETERMINED THAT CORROSION MUST HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY SALT. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED HOW OFTEN DEFECTS OF THIS NATURE OCCUR, THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS NEVER. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIR, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS NOT CONCERNED ENTIRELY ABOUT THE COST. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED EXTREME CONCERN REGARDING SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE; THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONTACT REMAINS UNCOMFORTABLE AND INSISTS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10160370

92,200 miles · Aug 2, 2005
Suspension

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH 1998 MERCEDES BENZ. THE SHOCK HOUSING CAME APART FROM THE CHASSIS. THE CHASSIS COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL. THERE WAS NO SUSPENSION ON THE FRONT END. CONSUMER HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE SHOCK…

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DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH 1998 MERCEDES BENZ. THE SHOCK HOUSING CAME APART FROM THE CHASSIS. THE CHASSIS COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL. THERE WAS NO SUSPENSION ON THE FRONT END. CONSUMER HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE SHOCK HOUSING. MECHANIC FIXED THE CAR WITH AN ADDITIONAL AFTER MARKET BRACKET. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CAR. THE MERCEDES BENZ ORGANIZATION CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. CONSUMER DID FILED A COMPLAINT WHILE TALKING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10131126

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.