Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
325–50K
550–75K
375–100K
4100–150K
6150K+
24 reports with mileage · 14 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
38 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2010
Exterior LightingPower Train
2001 MERCEDES E-320. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT WITH HEADLIGHT COVERS AND REQUESTS MONEY TO REPLACE THEM. *TGW SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEN THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SQUEAL, WHICH THE LOCAL DEALER INSISTED WAS THE AC FAN, BUT IT WAS NOT. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE C…
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2001 MERCEDES E-320. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT WITH HEADLIGHT COVERS AND REQUESTS MONEY TO REPLACE THEM. *TGW SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEN THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SQUEAL, WHICH THE LOCAL DEALER INSISTED WAS THE AC FAN, BUT IT WAS NOT. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE COMPLETELY OPAQUE. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO BECOME DIM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10319796
86,000 miles · Apr 30, 2009
Fuel System, OtherFire
ON MARCH 10, 2009, I WAS PARKING MY 2001 E320 MERCEDES AT THE CITADEL MILITARY CAMPUS, WHEN SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE I WAS PARKING AND THEN THE CAR WAS ENGULFED INTO FLAMES.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267308
140,385 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH ON A SMOOTH STRAIGHT ROAD, RIGHT FRONT UPPER COIL SPRING PERCH BROKE FREE FROM CHASSIS DUE TO RUST FAILURE OF SPRING PERCH CAUSING A LOAD NOISE AND THE CAR SLUMPED TO ONE SIDE. TIRES WERE CHANGED JUST TWO WEEKS EARLIER WITH NO SIGN OF TROUBLE. CAR IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP WAITING FOR ESTIMATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253106
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2007
Electrical System
TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT TURN OFF. MAKING A LEFT TURN CAUSES THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL TO TURN ON AND VICE VERSA. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184101
49,000 miles · Jan 26, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNSW A 2001 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN SHE STARTED TO SMELL FUMES. THE CONTACT COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE FUMES WERE COMING FROM. SHE THEN CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FUMES AND HAD CAUGHT ON FI…
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNSW A 2001 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN SHE STARTED TO SMELL FUMES. THE CONTACT COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE FUMES WERE COMING FROM. SHE THEN CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FUMES AND HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THEN, THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTALED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY OFFERED NO SOLUTION AND HAVE YET TO FULLY INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10180855
64,971 miles · Jan 7, 2007
Electrical System
MERCEDES BENZ EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR 10 YEARS. THIS WAS ONLY DONE FOR 220/215 ( S/CL) MODELS. I HAVE A 2001 E 320 MODEL [XXX] IDENTIFICATION NO. [XXX] MY CAR HAS THE SAME INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEMS AS THE MODEL WHICH THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND INCLUDE ALL MODELS. I TO…
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MERCEDES BENZ EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR 10 YEARS. THIS WAS ONLY DONE FOR 220/215 ( S/CL) MODELS. I HAVE A 2001 E 320 MODEL [XXX] IDENTIFICATION NO. [XXX] MY CAR HAS THE SAME INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEMS AS THE MODEL WHICH THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND INCLUDE ALL MODELS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE REPLACE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY WHICH I HAD AT THE TIME BUT THEY WOULD GLADLY REPLACE IT IF I WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF POCKET. *NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10178005
67,000 miles · Nov 27, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASH BOARD WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION AND THE GAUGES WERE DIFFICULT TO READ. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10174425
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2006
Suspension
2001 E320 COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162662
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATES HIS CLIENT HAD A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING THAT IS PART OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THERE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS THE REASON THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE INVOICE NUMBER STATI…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATES HIS CLIENT HAD A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING THAT IS PART OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THERE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS THE REASON THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE INVOICE NUMBER STATING THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY IS #746530 DATED APRIL 21, 2005. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10128335
52,000 miles · Mar 24, 2005
Air BagsSteeringCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP UPON MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT SLAMMED INTO THE WALL. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED IN WARD. VEHICLE TOWED. NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THIS WAS A LEASED VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10115720
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.
2001 Mercedes Benz E320 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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