IllustrationTHE BATTERY, LOCATED IN A METAL COMPARTMENT UNDER THE REAR SEAT, EXPLODED. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT MERCEDES-BENZ WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TC *JB
2001 Mercedes Benz E320
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 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
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE, AND THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR IT. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK
OIL SENDING SENSOR COMES ON STATING I HAVE TO MUCH OIL THIS HAS GONE ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001 I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK THREE TIMES BUT THE MECHANIC CLAIMS THERE ARE NO CODES. *AK
SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID (2-3DROPS) TOTALLY DISABLED THE GEAR SHIFT/TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW CUP HOLDERS. DT
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND SEAT BELT BECAME DISENGAGED. AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT ALL SEAT BELTS WERE DISENGAGED. CONSUMER WAS INJURIED DURING ACCIDENT.*AK *NLM
UPON FILLING FUEL TANK, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS SPILLING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. CONSUMER CANNOT FILL THE FUEL TANK COMPLETELY. *AK *YD
WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE WILL NOT REACT UNTIL PEDAL IS 1/4 TO 1/2 DEPRESSED. THEN, VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD. VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATED DEALER REPLACED A PART CALLED THE ME CONTROL UNIT AND PROBLEM HAS CEASED. *SLC
WHEN WATER ENTERS THE CONTROL MODULE FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IT FAILS TO CHANGE GEARS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT GIVEN CONSUMER A CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.