MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercedes Benz E320

● Typical for this model
1997 Mercedes Benz E320
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:03:21.567Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
63
Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

57% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 11 complaints 1994 1995: 96 complaints 1996: 45 complaints 1997: 63 complaints 1997 63 1998: 37 complaints 1999: 83 complaints 2000: 44 complaints 2000 2001: 38 complaints 2002: 23 complaints 2002 2003: 214 complaints 2004: 203 complaints 2004 2005: 231 complaints 2006: 41 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2008: 10 complaints 2008 2009: 8 complaints
1994: 11 complaints 1994 1995: 96 complaints 1995 1996: 45 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 63 1998: 37 complaints 1998 1999: 83 complaints 1999 2000: 44 complaints 2000 2001: 38 complaints 2001 2002: 23 complaints 2002 2003: 214 complaints 2003 2004: 203 complaints 2004 2005: 231 complaints 2005 2006: 41 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2007 2008: 10 complaints 2008 2009: 8 complaints 2009
1994: 11 complaints 1994 1995: 96 complaints 1995 1996: 45 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 63 1998: 37 complaints 1998 1999: 83 complaints 1999 2000: 44 complaints 2000 2001: 38 complaints 2001 2002: 23 complaints 2002 2003: 214 complaints 2003 2004: 203 complaints 2004 2005: 231 complaints 2005 2006: 41 complaints 2006 2007: 17 complaints 2007 2008: 10 complaints 2008 2009: 8 complaints 2009

1997: 63 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199411
199596
199645
199763
199837
199983
200044
200138
200223
2003214
2004203
2005231
200641
200717
200810
20098

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

57% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing coil springs and front.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

* Left front substrate to which the Coil Spring Perch mounts is badly rusted and the spring is about to come off under pressure of the cars weight, thereby endangering myself and the general public.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-13

Also filed under Steering and structure

Seat belts

16% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing retractor.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On November 19TH, 2014, while stopped on habana at mlk, jr. Blvd. In tampa, Florida, without any warning whatsoever, a very loud "Explosion" Occurred inside my car and there was instant pressure on my chest.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-06

Also filed under Air bags

Driver seatbelt exploded while buckled up as the car was going about 30 mph on a 4 lane street. No warning and was very traumatic. I had to pull over when I smelled something burning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-01-27

Was driving slow like 10 MPH and preparing to make a right turn and there was a loud explosion as the passenger seat belt retracted with such force that it slammed into the sternum of my 73 year old mother, who almost had an episode of cardiac...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-26

Air bags

11% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

1997 Mercedes Benz e-320. Consumer writes in regards to airbags malfunction. *smd consumer stated that passenger side airbag deployed defectively for no reason while driving at a speed of 5MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-29

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Mercedes Benz E320. While driving at 60 MPH, the air bags deployed inadvertently emitted a yellow substance and the vehicle shook violently.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-09-10

Upon making a right turn vehicle lost brake power. When this occurred consumer swerved to avoid hitting pedestrians, and crashed into a garage. Upon impact, bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-08

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Power train

8% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 60 MPH vehicle lost power. This caused the consumer off the road and hit a neighbor's garage consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership, and mechanic determined that transmission failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-09

Electrical system

8% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving vehicle stalled. Took battery out of vehicle to take it to dealer to have it replaced. As putting battery down, it exploded, injuring consumer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-04-26

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2007-04-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-08-09 Front suspension coil spring ejection

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Mercedes Benz E320 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 7 reports on file for this year.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Mercedes Benz E320 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mercedes Benz E320 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercedes Benz E320?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 57% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercedes Benz E320 have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.