MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercedes Benz E320

● Typical for this model
1997 Mercedes Benz E320
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:33:23.403Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercedes Benz E320 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1994: 11 complaints 1994 1995: 96 complaints 1996: 45 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 37 complaints 1998 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 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%

57% of complaints: suspension — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and front.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20231113

Also filed under STEERING and STRUCTURE

SEAT BELTS 16%

16% of complaints: seat belts — 10 distinct reports on file, 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, 20141206

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, 20230127

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, 20171126

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20180329

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, 20150910

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040408

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file, 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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040409

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE INJURY
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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020426

Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

I 20070419 — PE (closed 20070809)

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTION

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Mercedes Benz E320 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (7 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 2001 ▲ 2006

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2003 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.