Mercedes Benz E320 — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

3 model years to avoid, 2 to watch and 5 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid3 years

Caution2 years

Best bets5 years

Complaint history

1994: 11 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 96 complaints, Caution 1996: 45 complaints, Recommended 1997: 63 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 37 complaints, Recommended 1999: 83 complaints, Caution 2000: 44 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 38 complaints, Recommended 2002: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2003: 214 complaints, Avoid 2004: 203 complaints, Avoid 2005: 231 complaints, Avoid 2005 2006: 41 complaints, Recommended 2007: 17 complaints, Not enough data 2008: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2009: 8 complaints, Not enough data 2009 2005 · 231
1994: 11 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 96 complaints, Caution 1996: 45 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 63 complaints, Recommended 1998: 37 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 83 complaints, Caution 2000: 44 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 38 complaints, Recommended 2002: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003: 214 complaints, Avoid 2004: 203 complaints, Avoid 2005: 231 complaints, Avoid 2005 2006: 41 complaints, Recommended 2007: 17 complaints, Not enough data 2008: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2008 2009: 8 complaints, Not enough data 2005 · 231
1994: 11 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 96 complaints, Caution 1995 1996: 45 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 63 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 37 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 83 complaints, Caution 1999 2000: 44 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 38 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003: 214 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 203 complaints, Avoid 2004 2005: 231 complaints, Avoid 2005 2006: 41 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 17 complaints, Not enough data 2007 2008: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2008 2009: 8 complaints, Not enough data 2009 2005 · 231
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2009 ○ Not enough data 8 Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2008 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2007 ○ Not enough data 17 Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2006 ▲ Recommended 41 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2005 ■ Avoid 231 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2004 ■ Avoid 203 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 214 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ○ Not enough data 23 Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2001 ▲ Recommended 38 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2000 ▲ Recommended 44 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ◆ Caution 83 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1998 ▲ Recommended 37 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1997 ● Recommended 63 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1996 ▲ Recommended 45 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1995 ◆ Caution 96 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1994 ○ Not enough data 11 Only 11 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

4

recalls on file across every Mercedes Benz E320 model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Mercedes Benz models