Model year record
2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 recalls & problems
The 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 38 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (13 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E320.
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.
Fuel economy
E320
| City / highway | 18 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
E320 4Matic
| City / highway | 18 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
E320 (Wagon)
| City / highway | 17 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
E320 4Matic (Wagon)
| City / highway | 17 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; 12v/24v/48v battery | 13 | 110,000 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal | 7 | 93,500 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 6 | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | — |
| SuspensionFront; Front › Springs › Coil springs | 4 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control | 3 | — |
| SteeringColumn locking › Anti-theft device | 3 | — |
| Engine | 3 | — |
| VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Sun/moon roof assembly | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Retractor | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Electrical systemFire
Unknown, the car filled with smoke from within the dashboard on driver side.
- Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SUFFERED INJURIES. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER THE FAILURE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BELLEVUE (11850 BEL-RED RD, BELLEVUE, WA 98005) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD CONTACT HIM TO DISCUSS THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE…
- Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SEAL DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 2008 MODEL VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE 2001 VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ OF FORT LAUDERDALE LOCATED AT 2411 S FEDERAL HWY, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316; (954) 949-0623) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME HOWEVER, THE 2001 MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 360,000.*LN*JB
- Air bags
SRS LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. CAR WAS CHECKED IN A REPAIR SHOP. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATE A CODE WHICH HAD RECALL ISSUES. I CALLED A MERCEDES DEALER TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THIS. WHAT IS TO BE DONE WHEN AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!
- Electrical systemFire
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY. COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE IN 10-15 MINUTES. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT INDUCED THE FIRE BUT UNABLE TO BE SURE. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD MAINTENANCE, NO ENGINE WORK HAD BEEN DONE RECENTLY. LAST REPAIR WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACEMENT AFTER REPAIRING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK IN EARLY DECEMBER 2018
- Electronic stability control (esc)
IGNITION AND KEY DEFECTS CAUSES CAR TO STOP RUNNING AND STALL. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION.
- Engine
WHEN VEH. IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR JUST IN A PARKING LOT, IT STALLS OR WILL NOT START RIGHT AWAY. EVENTUALLY IT STARTS AND AWAY WE GO. NEVER A WARNING WHATSOEVER. ALL FLUIDS ARE FULL AND BATTERY IS GOOD. REC. FUEL(GAS) IS ALWAYS USED.
- Electrical system
DEFECTIVE INSULATION ON THE WIRING FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. IT APPEARS THIS PROBLEM IS CATALYZED BY HEAT. INSULATION CRUMBLES AND LEAVE BARE WIRE EXPOSED, CAUSING SHORTAGE AND FAILURE/MELTING OF LIGHT SOCKET. OBVIOUSLY, MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA REALIZED ISSUE BUT S NOT COMPELLED TO MAKE REPAIRS!
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.