TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDERS, WHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDERS, WHICH REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINT AND DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF GREENWICH, 261 WEST PUTNAM AVE, GREENWICH, CT) WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11173568
182,000 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Air BagsPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE DRI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CRASH INTO ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
NHTSA ODI #10499556
218,556 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Air BagsPower Train
AS I WAS ENTERING THE INTERSTATE ON THE ON RAMP MY REAR U JOINT ON FRONT DRIVE SHAFT CAME APART. SUBSEQUENTLY BOTH MY CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS WELL AS MY DRIVER FRONT DOOR AIR BAG. AS IT WAS CONSIDERED A MECHANICAL FAILURE MY INSURANCE WITH USAA DID NOT COVER ANYTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444917
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2011
Power Train
1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320, TRAVELING EASTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE. UNIT 1 HIT HER BRAKES AND A SMALL DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AND TORE A WIRE LOOSE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BROKEN WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # …
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1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320, TRAVELING EASTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE. UNIT 1 HIT HER BRAKES AND A SMALL DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AND TORE A WIRE LOOSE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BROKEN WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0858-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10381808
134,000 miles · Sep 29, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE JUST STOPS RUNNING/STALLING AFTER FROM 15 - 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED TWICE MIDWAY THROUGH LEFT TURNS. (SCARY!) CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME AND ANY SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358245
113,840 miles · Apr 4, 2010
Power Train
DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS IN 1999 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL E320S. CARMAKER SAID TRANSMISSIONS DID NOT REQUIRE SERVICING BECAUSE THEY WERE SEALED. POLICY ONLY APPLIED TO CARS SOLD IN US. RESEARCH REVEALED THIS WAS BECAUSE DEALERSHIPS IN THE US WANTED A PROGRAM TO HELP SELL CARS. THEY THOUGHT IF MZB INCLUDED THE MAINTENANCE IN THE PR…
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DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS IN 1999 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL E320S. CARMAKER SAID TRANSMISSIONS DID NOT REQUIRE SERVICING BECAUSE THEY WERE SEALED. POLICY ONLY APPLIED TO CARS SOLD IN US. RESEARCH REVEALED THIS WAS BECAUSE DEALERSHIPS IN THE US WANTED A PROGRAM TO HELP SELL CARS. THEY THOUGHT IF MZB INCLUDED THE MAINTENANCE IN THE PRICE OF THE CAR, MORE PEOPLE WOULD BUY THEM. HOWEVER, MANY OWNERS, INCLUDING ME DISCOVERED THIS WASN'T TRUE AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10323647
55,000 miles · Feb 21, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower TrainFire
CONSUMER 1999 E320 HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WITH 110,000 MILES ON IT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 55,000 MILES. BEFORE THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE HAD A TIRE LEAK AND A DEFECTIVE LAMP ASSEMBLY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10151902
76,249 miles · Aug 26, 2005
Power Train
I BOUGHT A MERCEDES ML320 IN 2003 AS CERTIFIED CAR WITH ONLY 45628 MILES. I DROVE ON MY WAY FROM MARIPOSA ON 8/23/05 THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOW GEAR AND REFUSED SHIFT TO HIGH GEAR AUTOMATICALLY. I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE MAINTAINING A LOW SPEED BACK HOME. ON 8/24/05 I BROUGHT THE ML320 TO…
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I BOUGHT A MERCEDES ML320 IN 2003 AS CERTIFIED CAR WITH ONLY 45628 MILES. I DROVE ON MY WAY FROM MARIPOSA ON 8/23/05 THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOW GEAR AND REFUSED SHIFT TO HIGH GEAR AUTOMATICALLY. I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE MAINTAINING A LOW SPEED BACK HOME. ON 8/24/05 I BROUGHT THE ML320 TO FRESNO MERCEDES FOR REPAIR. FINALLY I FOUND THAT THEY SOLD ME ML320 WITHOUT PROPER DISCLOSURE ABOUT THE CAR PREVIOUS HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION AND SERVICES IN 2003. I WOULD NOT BUY THAT CAR IF I WAS TOLD ML320 HAVING HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 76349 MILES DID INDICATE THAT MECHANICAL FAILURE COULD ENDANGER THE DRIVER'S LIFE IN FREEWAY AT 65 MILES WHEN FOLLOWING CAR COULD HIT FROM BEHIND AS A RESULT OF NO PROPER WARNING SIGNAL LIKE BRAKE LIGHT. IT IS PROPER THAT YOUR GOOD OFFICE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. EVEN MORE, IF IT WARRANT ML320 SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE IT COULD HAPPEN TO ENDANGER PUBLIC SAFETY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT 100,000 WARRANTY MUST BE EQUALLY PRINTED WITH ONE YEAR WARRANTY WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. OTHERWISE, WHEN YOU BUY A CERTIFIED CAR YOU THOUGHT YOU BOUGHT 50,000 MILES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. IT COULD WARRANT ONE YEAR AND IT IS VERY MISLEADING. YOUR ATTENTION IS INVITED TO THIS MATTER STRONGLY. SINCERELY YOURS MICHAEL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10134354
12 miles · Aug 19, 2004
Power TrainVisibility
THE REGULATOR ON THE WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AT LEAST EVERY 6 MONTHS THE CHECK EGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER REPAIRS WHERE DONE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN LOSING POWER AND NOW WILL NOT SHIFT SINCE THE PURCHASE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10088199
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WILL LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING, AND WILL NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO GO MORE THEN 40 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8007521
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
2
PE07021 · 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.
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