IllustrationPASSENGER COIL SPRING SEAT BROKE , CAR IN GARAGE LAST 15 YEARS , NOT EVEN 100000 MILES YET
1998 Mercedes Benz E320
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Mercedes Benz E320 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 42.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E320 years →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
30–25K
025–50K
450–75K
375–100K
5100–150K
5150K+
20 reports with mileage · 17 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. 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.
3 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
Suspension complaints
7 reportsWHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFINC EAST ALONG HADDONFIELD BERLIN ROAD IN CHERRY HILL NJ, I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AT EVSHAM ROAD. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND GRINDING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END THAT ENDED WITH A LOUD CLANK ON THE GROUND. AFTER WHICH I SAW THE SPRING FROM MY DRIVER'S SIDE …
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WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFINC EAST ALONG HADDONFIELD BERLIN ROAD IN CHERRY HILL NJ, I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AT EVSHAM ROAD. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND GRINDING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END THAT ENDED WITH A LOUD CLANK ON THE GROUND. AFTER WHICH I SAW THE SPRING FROM MY DRIVER'S SIDE ON THE ROAD BEHIND ME IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. DRIVING WAS NOT AFFECTED, NOT WAS STEERING. HOWEVER WE CAME TO FIND THAT THE PANEL CONTAINING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING PERCH HAD RUSTED AND THEN TORN AWAY FROM THE BOD, THUS RELEASING THE FRONT SPRING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MBUSA, BUT NOT A RECALL ISSUE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS REFUSING REPAIRS DUE TO THEIR VIEW OF THIS AS BEING A "MAINTENANCE ISSUE."
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 160,322.
HAD AN INSPECTION ON FRIDAY. FOUND PASSENGER SHOCK TOWER BROKEN FROM THE BODY FRAME, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LOOKED IN MERCEDES BENZ WORLD WEBSITE, AND SAW MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TYPICAL ISSUE, PEOPLE MUST NOT BE REPORTING THIS TYPICAL RUST OF THE SPRING TOWER TO BODY RUST ISSUE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A …
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HAD AN INSPECTION ON FRIDAY. FOUND PASSENGER SHOCK TOWER BROKEN FROM THE BODY FRAME, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LOOKED IN MERCEDES BENZ WORLD WEBSITE, AND SAW MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TYPICAL ISSUE, PEOPLE MUST NOT BE REPORTING THIS TYPICAL RUST OF THE SPRING TOWER TO BODY RUST ISSUE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE IN CANADA BUT NOT IN USA. *TR
SOME RUST DAMAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON THE BODY OF THE CAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME, BUT NO MERCEDES MECHANICS SUGGESTED IT WAS STRUCTURAL OR DANGEROUS. RECENTLY, A LOUD CREAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN SUBJECTED TO BUMPS, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. BY REMOVING THE TIRE, WE DISCOVERED…
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SOME RUST DAMAGE HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON THE BODY OF THE CAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME, BUT NO MERCEDES MECHANICS SUGGESTED IT WAS STRUCTURAL OR DANGEROUS. RECENTLY, A LOUD CREAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN SUBJECTED TO BUMPS, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. BY REMOVING THE TIRE, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CREAKING WAS FROM THE POORLY DESIGNED SUSPENSION CAP, WHICH HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN PARTIALLY OFF, BENDING THE SPRING AGAINST THE AXLE. THIS DAMAGE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS NO MERCEDES MECHANICS IDENTIFIED THE RUST AT THIS POINT, AND IF THE CAP SNAPPED OFF, THE ENTIRE WHEEL CARRIAGE WOULD BREAK. IF THE CAR HAD BEEN OPERATING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THIS KIND OF FAILURE, WHICH COULD OCCUR INSTANTLY WHEN SUBJECTED TO A NORMAL SHOCK IMPACT, COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. THE CAP IS DEFINITELY A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW, ESPECIALLY AS THE MERCEDES STRUCTURE RUSTS (WHICH THEY CLAIM NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR), AND MANY OF THESE CARS COULD EASILY BE ON THE ROAD TODAY. THUS, WE BELIEVE THAT SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO THE CONSUMER PUBLIC IS COMPLETELY IGNORED BY MERCEDES-BENZ, WHICH WE FEEL IS AN APPALLING LACK OF CONCERN AND COMPLETE OVERSIGHT ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY. *TR
DURING THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP OF AN 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320 THE FRONT TOP SPRING SUPPORT A.K.A RUSTS OUT AND CAN EASILY DISINTEGRATE CAUSING COMPLETE FALLOUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND IF HAPPENING IN THE HIGHWAY IT CAN EASILY KILL YOU. LUCKILY FOR ME IT HAPPENED IN A 30 MPH ROAD WHERE THE SPRING PERCH BROKE OFF AND THE WH…
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DURING THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP OF AN 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320 THE FRONT TOP SPRING SUPPORT A.K.A RUSTS OUT AND CAN EASILY DISINTEGRATE CAUSING COMPLETE FALLOUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND IF HAPPENING IN THE HIGHWAY IT CAN EASILY KILL YOU. LUCKILY FOR ME IT HAPPENED IN A 30 MPH ROAD WHERE THE SPRING PERCH BROKE OFF AND THE WHOLE FRONT WHEEL GOT OUT OF PLACE LOCKING ITSELF UP. *TR
THE COIL SPRING AND TWO ROUND PLASTIC PARTS JUST FELL OFF ON OUR 1998 E320 MERCEDES BENZ FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS 71,000 MILES AND NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. *TR
Official recalls
0No 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
2PE07021 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Ejection
Opened Apr 19, 2007 · Closed Aug 9, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
ODI HAS FOCUSED THIS INVESTIGATION ON ASSESSING THE RISKS POSED BY A SEPARATED SPRING AS (1) A ROAD HAZARD AND (2) THE POTENTIAL FOR VEHICLE CONTROL TO BE COMPROMISED AFTER THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BEEN EJECTED FROM ITS INTENDED POSITION IN THE VEHICLE.BOTH RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CORROSION, FLEXING, AND FRACTURE OF THE UPPER FRONT SUSPENSION MOUNTING BRACKET.TIME-IN-SERVICE FAILURE RATES ARE NOTABLY HIGHER IN SALT BELT STATES SINCE CORROSION IS A PRIMARY CONTRIBUTOR TO THE FAILURE MODE.SINCE A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, ODI IS SKEPTICAL THAT OWNERS CAN ALWAYS DETECT THE SUBTLE SIDE TO SIDE DIFFERENCE IN RIDE HEIGHT AND/OR INSPECT OR NOTICE THAT THE UPPER SUSPENSION BRACKET HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY CORROSION.(1) ROAD HAZARD - ALTHOUGH THE (APPROX. 7 LB.) FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING THAT MAY BE EJECTED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD POSE A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES, THE OCCURRENCE RATE HAS BEEN LOW (.03% BASED ON 51 REPORTED INCIDENTS OCCURRING AND AN INITIAL POPULATION OF 172,781 VEHICLES AFTER 9 - 12 YEARS OF USE / EXPOSURE) AND THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES, FATALITIES, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE REPORTS DUE TO AN EJECTED SPRING.ALSO, MANY OF THE 51 INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR PARKED.(2) VEHICLE CONTROL - VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE FRACTURE OF THE UPPER SUSPENSION MOUNT AND/OR THE ASSOCIATED SPRING EJECTION.ODI FIRST IDENTIFIED ITS CONCERN ABOUT CORROSION IN THE UPPER SUSPENSION BRACKET OF SUBJECT VEHICLES IN 2002, AT WHICH TIME MERCEDES PROVIDED A VIDEO THAT SHOWED THAT A VEHICLE COULD BE STEERED, STOPPED, AND CONTROLLED THROUGH VARIOUS MANEUVERS AT HIGH SPEEDS WITH A FRONT COIL SPRING COMPLETELY MISSING FROM THE VEHICLE. DURING PE07-021, IN ADDITION TO REVIEWING THE 2002 VIDEO-TAPE, ODI ENGINEERS DROVE AN EXEMPLAR VEHICLE WITH THE SPRING REMOVED AND SIMULATED VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF STEERING ANGLES TO ASSESS WHETHER THERE WERE ANY POSSIBLE CONDITIONS / DISPLACEMENTS IN WHICH THE SEPARATED SPRING MIGHT INTERFERE WITH THE WHEELS. IN A VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT SPRING REMOVED, THE TOP OF THE WHEEL CAN LIGHTLY CONTACT THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE WHEEL FENDER DURING HIGH ANGLE TURNS TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH SLOWER SPEED MANEUVERS SUCH AS CITY DRIVING. THE LIGHT TIRE CONTACT GENERATED AN OBVIOUS GRINDING NOISE AND WOULD LIKELY ABRADE OR BEND THE EDGE OF THE FENDER WITH CONTINUED USE.HOWEVER, THE EXTENT OF THE INTERFERENCE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO AFFECT VEHICLE STEERING AND DOES NOT OCCUR AT SMALLER TURNING ANGLES ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHWAY DRIVING.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.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 THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.
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.