1996 MERCEDES BENZ E320 Problems & Recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOOK AND VIBRATED BEFORE COLLAPSING. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION SPRING SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED A PUNCTURE TO THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE ...

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED KNEE, BACK, NECK, AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROY...

Mileage: 131,000

WHEN YOU REPLACE THE BATTERY ON THESE VEHICLES THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS RENDERING THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT USELESS IE. AIR BAGS THE AUTOMOBILE SHOULD HAVE A RECALL WHEREBY MERCEDES FIXES THE DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 93,477

WHEN YOU REPLACE THE BATTERY ON THESE VEHICLES THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS RENDERING THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT USELESS IE. AIR BAGS THE AUTOMOBILE SHOULD HAVE A RECALL WHEREBY MERCEDES FIXES THE DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 93,477

AFTER FILLING UP ON GAS JUST TWO DAYS AGO, THERE WAS A VERY PECULIAR SMELL. IT SMELLED OF GAS FUMES. JUST TODAY, I NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE WAS GOING DOWN QUITE FAST AND IT WASN'T UNTIL JUST NOW THAT MY GAS TANK IS LEAKING.

Mileage: 152,000

AFTER FILLING UP ON GAS JUST TWO DAYS AGO, THERE WAS A VERY PECULIAR SMELL. IT SMELLED OF GAS FUMES. JUST TODAY, I NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE WAS GOING DOWN QUITE FAST AND IT WASN'T UNTIL JUST NOW THAT MY GAS TANK IS LEAKING.

Mileage: 152,000

SPRING PERCH SNAPPED AND SPRING SHOT OUT ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHILE WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. THANK GOD THEY WERE LESS THE 200 FEET FROM THE HOUSE AND ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 5 MPH. *TR

Mileage: 168,000

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF STORE ALLOWING A 93 YEAR OLD LADY TO GO SHOPPING,AS I WAS PARKED THERE I WAS SIDESWIPED, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE AUTO SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, AFTER DOING THIS I DISCOVERED THAT THE KEY CAN'T START THE CAR BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS JAMMED OR KEY WILL NOT TURN, S...

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF STORE ALLOWING A 93 YEAR OLD LADY TO GO SHOPPING,AS I WAS PARKED THERE I WAS SIDESWIPED, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE AUTO SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, AFTER DOING THIS I DISCOVERED THAT THE KEY CAN'T START THE CAR BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS JAMMED OR KEY WILL NOT TURN, S...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STARTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER...

Mileage: 48,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ E 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI...

Mileage: 102,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA YK580 TIRES, SIZE 215/55/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FEELING FROM THE TIRES. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BECOME...

Mileage: 159,000

THIS VEHICLE (1996 MERCEDES E320) HAS HAD A HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. MANY REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AT GREAT EXPENSE! THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND I WAS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE MYSELF. TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED A DEFECT...

Mileage: 148,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BACK ROAD IN MY 1996 MERCEDES E320 WHEN I HEARD A BANG AND THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE DROPPED. THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD POPPED OUT. IF I HAD BEEN GOING ANY FASTER I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING MOUNTS IN THIS MODEL CORRODE DUE TO IMP...

Mileage: 131,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT END SUSPENSION SPRINGS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE RAIL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT HE HAD NE...

Mileage: 67,000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE IS DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING. CONSEQUENCE: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE PO...

Mileage: 95,000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE IS DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING. CONSEQUENCE: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE PO...

Mileage: 95,000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE IS DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING. CONSEQUENCE: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE PO...

Mileage: 95,000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE IS DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING. CONSEQUENCE: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE PO...

Mileage: 95,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES E 320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, BLACK SMOKE CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE AIR VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE...

Mileage: 95,000

OUR LOW MILEAGE 1996 E320 MERCEDES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS GOING AND REMAINING ON.(FOR YEARS NOW) THE CODE COMES UP ADVISING THAT A SWITCH ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANS.IS FAULTY. HAD MB REPLACE IT AND A WEEK LATER IT CAME UP WITH THE SAME CODE. MB HAS LOOKED AT IT NUMEROUS TIMES, THE LAST TIME I WAS CHAR...

Mileage: 45,000

I RECENTLY HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I STOPPED TO INSPECT THE NOISE AND FOUND THAT THE CAR WAS SLIGHTLY LEANING TO THE RIGHT. NOT SEEING ANYTHING ON THE ROADSIDE, I DROVE IT HOME SLOWLY TO INSPECT FURTHER. INFORMATION I READ ONLINE INFORMED ME OF ...

Mileage: 227,850

FRONT SPRING PERCHES MUST HAVE BEEN RUSTED AT THE WELDING SEAM. WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH I HEARD A BIG SNAP AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR HIT THE GROUND AT WHICH POINT I LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE FRONT PERCHES MUST HAVE DISLODGED AND ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS IS A VITAL PART ...

Mileage: 134,000

FRONT SPRING PERCHES MUST HAVE BEEN RUSTED AT THE WELDING SEAM. WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH I HEARD A BIG SNAP AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR HIT THE GROUND AT WHICH POINT I LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE FRONT PERCHES MUST HAVE DISLODGED AND ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS IS A VITAL PART ...

Mileage: 134,000

UP UNTIL ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, THE ONLY PROBLEMS TO MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN DUE TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. ABOUT THAT TIME, MY 1996 MERCEDES BENZ E320 BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A REPUTABLE (MERCEDES BENZ ONLY) SHOP WHO REPLACED 2 COILS. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE RAN GOOD FOR A FEW DAYS, IT SOON ...

Mileage: 113,000

MERCEDES HAVE A FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DROPPED AND WANTS TO KNOW WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS. *NJ THE TECHNICIANS FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE PERCH, WHICH HAD TO DO WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION LETTING GO, WHICH CAUSED THE FRAME TO DROP. *JB

THE WIRING ON THE CAR IS DISINTEGRATING HARNESS WIRES EVERY WIRE WAS A GREAT CAR WIRING CAUSING VARIOUS PROBLEMS COST MORE TO FIX THEN ITS WORTH HELP ME! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BUMPER REPAINTED DUE TO A CRASH. THE DEALER NOTICED RUST ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,896 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,772. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS RUS...

Mileage: 111,896

I PURCHASED BOTH L & R OUTER TIE ROD ENDS (KARLYN IND INC.) FROM AUTOHAUZ AZ RECENTLY FOR MY WIFE'S W210 MERCEDES E320. I NOTICED WHILE INSTALLING THE PARTS THAT THE THREADED END OF THE CENTRE TIE ROD, WHEN ASSEMBLED TO THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS SLOPPY AND APPEARED TO BE FAR FROM A COMPATIBLE SPECI...

MY CAR SEEM NOT TO BE STARTING ALL THE TIME WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION KEY ON. MERCEDES SERVICE INFORMED ME THAT THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AND THERE ARE BARE WIRE EXPOSED AND THIS COULD BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE INFORMED ME THAT THE MATERIAL WAS MADE WITH BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL AND THAT...

Mileage: 150,550

WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY DEAR WIFE WAS DYING FROM ADVANCED KIDNEY FAILURE, I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL 1996 E 320 (FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER). HOWEVER, WHEN HE DECIDED TO ADVERTISE THE CAR, HE CAREFULLY PRESSURE-WASHED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ETC., SO IT WOULD LOOK ITS BEST. AFTER WHICH, HE CO...

WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY DEAR WIFE WAS DYING FROM ADVANCED KIDNEY FAILURE, I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL 1996 E 320 (FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER). HOWEVER, WHEN HE DECIDED TO ADVERTISE THE CAR, HE CAREFULLY PRESSURE-WASHED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ETC., SO IT WOULD LOOK ITS BEST. AFTER WHICH, HE CO...

WIRING HARNESS DEFECT, NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. *AK

FRONT SPRING PERCHES ARE RUSTED AT THE WELDING SEAM. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE PERCH DISLODGES AND MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR DEATH WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VITAL PART OF THE SUSPENSION/STEERING SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE BEST DEAL THE DEALERSHIP CAN GIVE IS HALF OFF REPAIR BILL. THI...

1996 MERCEDES BENZ E320. FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED DUE TO FAULTY SPRING PERCH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG W210 CHASSIS VEHICLES. *AK

Mileage: 135,000

THE LEFT FRONT UPPER SPRING PERCH FAILED CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. THIS OCCURRED DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF THE PERCH ATTACHMENT TO THE FRAME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY, LUCKILY NOT AT SPEED ON THE ROAD WHERE TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE PERCH AND SPRING WAS REPLA...

I HAVE A 1996 E320 AND THE FIRST THING TO GO WAS THE CONDENSER FAN, WHEN YOU TURN THE AC ON ITS THE FANS THAT HELP KEEP YOUR CAR COOL, BUT THEN THAT WENT OUT AND MY CAR WOULD RUN HOT IF I CONSTANTLY RAN AC. THEN MY AC BLOWER JUST WENT OUT ONE DAY. THEN I TOOK IT TO A MERCEDES SPECIALIST AND HE NOTI...

Mileage: 138,000

I HAVE A 1996 E320 AND THE FIRST THING TO GO WAS THE CONDENSER FAN, WHEN YOU TURN THE AC ON ITS THE FANS THAT HELP KEEP YOUR CAR COOL, BUT THEN THAT WENT OUT AND MY CAR WOULD RUN HOT IF I CONSTANTLY RAN AC. THEN MY AC BLOWER JUST WENT OUT ONE DAY. THEN I TOOK IT TO A MERCEDES SPECIALIST AND HE NOTI...

Mileage: 138,000

HIGHWAY DRIVING 45-50 MPH WHEN THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK FROM UNDERNEATH CAR FOLLOWED BY A SLIGHT LOSS OF HANDLING LOOKED IN REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW A SPRING LYING IN THE STREET. UPON STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND RETRIEVE THE SPRING I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WAS VERY LOW. I LOOKED UNDERNEA...

Mileage: 110,000

CORRODED DRIVER SIDE SPRING HOUSING ON 1996 E320 MERCEDES BENZ. CORRODED TO THE EXTENT THAT IT SPRING COULD HAVE DISLARGED. REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN OTHER LOCALS THAT THIS HAS OCCURED. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND INVESTIGATING, BUT HASN'T RECALLED PART.

FRONT COIL SPRING TOP SUPPORT CORRODED AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY. WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN. *AK CONSUMER HEARD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1996 E CLASS MERCEDES . *BF

Mileage: 63,999

I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AT THE END OF A FREEWAY OFF RAMP ON A RAINY DAY AND WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND AFTER ONE SPIN BOUNCED INTO A UTILITY POLE, HITTING THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS PUSHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. NONE OF THE AIR BAG...

Mileage: 85,753

THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED DOWN TO THE GROUND. IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT 3 SPOT WELDS HAD FAILED. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE W...

Mileage: 44,000

THE PERCH ASSEMBLY THAT HELD THE WHEEL WELDING CAME APART FROM THE FRAME . THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER TEMPORARILY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST BEING HIT BY PASSING MOTORIST. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY SLOWING IT DOWN AND PULLI...

Mileage: 110,000

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD THUMP COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO FOUND THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CHASSIS. *JB

Mileage: 70,000

CONSUMER STATED FRONT END COLLASPED BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION OF THE FRAME. *AK

Mileage: 105,400

CONSUMER STATES THEATFRONT SUSPENSION IS RUSTED, ALL SUSPENSION BRACKETS COLLAPSED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FAILED. *JB THE COIL SPRING FAILURE CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*TS *JB

Mileage: 61,000

THE SPRING PURCH PLATE HAD RUSTED AND RIPPED APART FROM THE FRAME. MR SCC

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE COLLISION AT 25 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THERE IS A BOLT THAT DISCONNECTS FROM THE FRAME OF VEHICLE, CAUSING SOME NOISE. BOLT DIS ONNECTS FROM WAY BAR MOUNT. *AK

UPON TAKING OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP CHANGED AN UNKNOWN COMPONENT, AND SINCE THEN HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE TWO MORE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBL...

UPON TAKING OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP CHANGED AN UNKNOWN COMPONENT, AND SINCE THEN HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE TWO MORE TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBL...

THE FRONT LEFT UPPER SPRING SUPPORT BRACKET RUSTED AND BENT UNDER NORMAL DAILY DRIVING CONDITIONS, THIS ALLOWED THE SPRING TO BECOME PARTIALLY EXPOSED. *SLC

ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SLC

CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN REGARDING THE AIR CONDITIONER. *SLC

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *SLC

THE FRONT LEFT UPPER SPRING SUPPORT BRACKET RUSTED AND BENT UNDER NORMAL DAILY DRIVING CONDITIONS, THIS ALLOWED THE SPRING TO BECOME PARTIALLY EXPOSED. *SLC

ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SLC

CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN REGARDING THE AIR CONDITIONER. *SLC

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *SLC

WHEN IGNITION WAS TURNED BATTERY EXPLODED VIOLENTLY COVERING GARAGE AND VEHICLE WITH BATTERY ACID. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK