SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2000 Mercedes Benz E Class

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
34Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2000 Mercedes Benz E Class

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 34 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Electrical System: 11 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 7 reports
  • Structure: 5 reports
  • Power Train: 3 reports
  • Steering: 3 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    38
    1997    24
    1998    13
    1999    34
    2000    15
    2001    8
    2002    45
    2003
    Compare all E Class years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Electrical System
    11    Engine And Engine Cooling
    7    Structure
    5    Power Train
    3    Steering
    3
    All reported categories
    Suspension
    3    Exterior Lighting
    2    Latches/locks/linkages
    2    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    2    Unknown Or Other
    2    Visibility
    2    Air Bags
    1    Equipment
    1    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Fuel System, Other
    1    Tires
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    21 reports with mileage · 13 unknown

    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.

    • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Structure. 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

    What owners actually said

    34 reports
    39,000 miles · Jan 28, 2003
    Electrical System

    SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID SPILLED FROM CUP HOLDER IN 2000 E320 DURING BRAKING. DISABLED THE CAR ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY DESTROYING ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. CARBECAME STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. WHEN PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART, CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. TOLD BY MB DEALER IN FRESNO, CA THAT EVEN MINUTE AMOUNTS OF LIQUID WILL DIS…

    Read full complaint

    SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID SPILLED FROM CUP HOLDER IN 2000 E320 DURING BRAKING. DISABLED THE CAR ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY DESTROYING ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. CARBECAME STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. WHEN PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART, CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. TOLD BY MB DEALER IN FRESNO, CA THAT EVEN MINUTE AMOUNTS OF LIQUID WILL DISABLE THE CAR IN THIS WAY. CAR DISABLED IN SAME WAY IN MAY 2000 BUT WAS NEVER TOLD BY MB THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MOISTURE OR USING CUP HOLDER. NOT INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN CAR WAS LEASED IN 2000.

    NHTSA ODI #10003555

    Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2002
    Latches/locks/linkages

    WHILE ENTERING VEHICLE AND STARTING ENGINE UP DOOR IS NOT PROPERLY SHUT. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT OR SOUND TO NOTIFY DRIVER OR PASSENGERS THAT DOOR OR DOORS ARE STILL OPEN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

    NHTSA ODI #8015799

    Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2001
    EquipmentFuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

    WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND FLUID. *JB

    NHTSA ODI #563847

    Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
    Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

    THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH "BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM" WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO HELP TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL FASTER WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED DURING A PANICK STOP. DURING A PANIC STOP, IN MY CASE AT 10 MPH, WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT HARD AS A ROCK AND REFUSED TO TRAVEL DOWN, EXHIBITING THE SO CALLED "HYDRAULIC RESI…

    Read full complaint

    THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH "BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM" WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO HELP TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL FASTER WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED DURING A PANICK STOP. DURING A PANIC STOP, IN MY CASE AT 10 MPH, WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT HARD AS A ROCK AND REFUSED TO TRAVEL DOWN, EXHIBITING THE SO CALLED "HYDRAULIC RESISTANCE" WITH THE THE VEHICLE CONTINUING TO MOVE AND COLLIDING WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT. I TOOK MY E320 TO AN AUTHORIZED LOCAL MBZ DEALER, AUTOBAHN MOTORS IN BELMONT-CA, WITHIN TWO HOURS OF THE ACCIDENT FOR A CHECK OF THE BRAKES. THE DEALER REPORTED THE BRAKES OPERATE NORMALLY AND NO PROBLEMS WERE DETECTED ON THEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE ALSO OWN A 1999 MBZ ML 320, AN SUV, WHICH BRAKES AND STOPS FLAWLESSLY WITH NO SIGN OF HARDENING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF ANYTHING OUR 2000 E320 MUST HAVE BETTER BRAKES AND NO SIGN OF RESISTANCE, YET IT DOES NOT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES ON THE 2000 E320 ARE APPLIED NORMALLY, THEY OPERATE FLAWLESSLY WITH EXCELLENT GRIP, YET IN PANICK STOP THE BRAKES FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY.

    NHTSA ODI #730632

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    3

    DP05007 · Transmission Malfunction

    Opened Nov 7, 2005 · Closed Mar 27, 2006

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

    THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE CONTAMINATED ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE.SIMILARLY, IN PETITIONER?S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE SAFETY STOPPED AFTER THE LIQUID SPILLAGE.THE PETITIONER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING AND THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

    Additional source detail variants (2)

    Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

    THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE CONTAMINATED ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE.SIMILARLY, IN PETITIONER?S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE SAFETY STOPPED AFTER THE LIQUID SPILLAGE.THE PETITIONER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING AND THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

    Power Train:automatic Transmission

    THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE CONTAMINATED ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE.SIMILARLY, IN PETITIONER?S CASE SHE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE SAFETY STOPPED AFTER THE LIQUID SPILLAGE.THE PETITIONER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING AND THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

    PE03058 · Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure

    Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Apr 22, 2004

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

    THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

    SQ01010 · Sudden Engine Shut Down

    Opened Sep 25, 2001 · Closed Feb 4, 2002

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

    No summary supplied.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.