MYRModel Year Report

2005 Mercedes Benz E320

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Mercedes Benz E320
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints 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
231
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel/propulsion system

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

2005: 231 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.

Fuel/propulsion system

35% · 81 reports
CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz e-320. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed a strong gasoline odor. The contact inspected the rear seats and noticed fuel leaking under the seats.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-19

When 2005 E320 has gas tank filled, there is an overwhelming fuel odor in the passenger compartment and outside the vehicle. The fumes dissipate when the fuel level decreases from full to 3/4.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-11

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle was traveling approximately 40 MPH when another vehicle crashed into the rear passenger's side of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-01

Service brakes

24% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

A warning in Red came up on the dashboard which said something like "catastrophic break failure" ..I was going slow about to stop at the Red light and the brakes did not work and I hit a mini…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-15

The sbc braking system totally failed while driving. Dong road at 35 MPH only way to avoid running into someone or cars was to drive this into tree. I could have killed someone or me. The problem is the same with all these models.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-12

I was driving 40MPH on a city street, when the car dash flashed in red, "Brake malfunction, see workshop soon". A red light was coming up, so I went to press brakes & absolutely no brakes!

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-26

Fuel system, gasoline

18% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

Air bags

10% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: side airbag deployment: contact states while driving vehicle he ran over a piece of rubber in the road, all three side air bags deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-20

The consumer was involved in an accident in her 2005 mercedes E320 which damaged the front driver's side of the vehicle. The front driver's side air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-04

The consumer was involved in a collision. When the consumer made a left turn another vehicle ran a red light and hit the drivers side of the consumers vehicle. The side airbag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-12-28

Electrical system

7% · 16 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

There is a high level of rf being emitted inside the cabin of the car. The level is so high it pushes pulsed rf waves against an aluminum emergency blanket that was set up to identify which direction it was coming from.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-05

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 231 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2010-05-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-11-24 Driver Air Bag Circuit High Resistance
  3. I
    2013-03-15Engineering analysisClosed 2014-12-19 Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
  4. R
    2020-07-10Visibility19V918000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2023-02-03Visibility22V954000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2025-01-10Visibility24V874000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Mercedes Benz E320 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel/propulsion system: 81 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 42 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 19V918000 · Visibility
  • Recall 22V954000 · Visibility
  • Recall 24V874000 · Visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz E320 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Mercedes Benz E320 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercedes Benz E320?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes Benz E320 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.