Model year record
1998 Mercedes-Benz 320 recalls & problems
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz 320 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 39 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (9 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz 320.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal › Flasher unit | 9 | — |
| VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Sun/moon roof assembly | 7 | — |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Linkages › Tie rod assembly | 5 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components | 5 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump | 4 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control | 4 | — |
| StructureBody › Bumpers; Body | 3 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 3 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust | 3 | — |
| SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Rear › Shock absorber | 3 | 109,000 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal | 2 | — |
| Equipment | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE TIRE TREAD DAMAGED THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $6000. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO MAIL THE BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA,TIRE SIZE 225/60/R16 TO THEM FOR A REFUND; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER RESPONDED VIA MAIL THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGES TO HER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE TIRE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN 1998 MERCEDEZ E320, JUST EXITED NJ TURNPIKE AT EXIT 2, HEARD LOUD NOISE CAR VEERED TO LEFT AND LARGE SPRING DROPPED OUT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
HEAD LAMP COVERS ON THE MERCEDES "E" CLASS TURN FROM CLEAR TO A FOGY TRANSLUCENT OVER TIME. ONCE THE HEAD LIGHT LENS TURNS TRANSLUCENT THE HEAD LIGHT BEAM IS NO LONGER ABLE TO TRANSMIT LIGHT AS FAR DOWN THE ROAD AS THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. THE HEAD LAMP IS ALSO NO LONGER CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING LIGHT AS TO THE U.S. DOT STANDARDS. THIS SITUATION LEAD TO AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR ALL DRIVERS OF THE "E" CLASS. *JB
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SIDE AND SWERVED. THE VEHICLE ALMOST HIT AN 18 WHEELER. ONCE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS REGAINED, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE SHOP DETERMINED THAT A SPRING MUST HAVE FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP SPECIALIST DETERMINED THAT CORROSION MUST HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY SALT. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED HOW OFTEN DEFECTS OF THIS NATURE OCCUR, THE DEALER RESPONSE WAS NEVER. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF THE COST OF THE REPAIR, HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS…
- Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH 1998 MERCEDES BENZ. THE SHOCK HOUSING CAME APART FROM THE CHASSIS. THE CHASSIS COLLAPSED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE WHEEL. THERE WAS NO SUSPENSION ON THE FRONT END. CONSUMER HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE SHOCK HOUSING. MECHANIC FIXED THE CAR WITH AN ADDITIONAL AFTER MARKET BRACKET. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CAR. THE MERCEDES BENZ ORGANIZATION CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. CONSUMER DID FILED A COMPLAINT WHILE TALKING…
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
ENGINE CONSTANTLY LOOSES OIL, POTENTIAL TO LOCK ENGINE.*AK
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE AN ESSENTIAL PART WAS MISSING. *AK THERE WAS LOW FLUID. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER STEERING CYLINDER LEAKED INTO THE BOOT. *SC *JB
- Power train › Automatic transmission
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING TO CONTROL DOWNHILL SPEED SHIFT LEVER MOVED BETWEEN ALL SHIFT POSITIONS WITHOUT ENGAGING IN ANY GEAR, AND VEHICLE WAS FREEWHEELING. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.