2008 Mercedes Benz E320

Routine

Owners filed 10 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine3
000
Steering2
000
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air Suspension System1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly24V874000
Filed Nov 19, 202433,456 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly22V954000
Filed Dec 23, 2022131,653 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly19V918000
Filed Dec 20, 2019747,928 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. 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. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Risk. A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed May 19, 2026FL

The vehicle previously underwent a sunroof recall repair; however, the repair appears to have been performed improperly. The sunroof seal was never replaced as required, which has resulted in ongoing water intrusion. The vehicle now shows two visible areas on the body with paint bubbling and surface rust consistent with water penetration and moisture retention caused by a failed or defective sunroof seal. The condition indicates long term exposure to water due to inadequate sealing following the recall service.

Engine
Filed Dec 6, 2023120,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed turbo valve and a failed exhaust system. The contact was informed that the turbo valve and the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 14, 2022AZ

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed engine failure. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V006000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.

Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2022120,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. On another occasion while driving 30 MPH, the contact stated that he noticed smoking coming from the front of the vehicle with an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and examine the vehicle but found no failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, the contact was unsure what needed to be repaired; but the contact stated that the failure was with the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air Suspension System
Filed Jun 21, 2021155,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact heard a hissing noise coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed the rear suspension on the driver's side was deflated sitting very low to the ground. The contact stated when they entered the vehicle to turn it on they received an error message on the display console stating the vehicle too low to drive. A few weeks prior to the failure the contact had the vehicle repaired by a local dealer for the rear suspension toe link and is concerned the failure that occurred on the vehicle is related to that repair. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 155,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 8, 2017121,291 milesWA

LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT PARTS MANUFACTURED BY FEQ AND SUPPLIED THRU WORLDPAC ARE SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE. PARTS HAVE 18K MILES ON THEM AND ARE AT A FAILURE POINT. ALTHOUGH WE ARE UNUSBLE TO DETERMINE IF A PART FAILURE FROM DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER OR FROM IMPACT DAMAGE TO SUPPORTING FRAME WORK ... PICTURES ATTACHED.

Engine
Filed Feb 7, 201781,396 milesNY

ENGINE DEVELOPED CATASTROPHIC OIL LEAK. OIL LEAKED FROM OIL COOLER SEALS. I WAS INFORMED BY MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE SEALS WERE REDESIGNED. THE ORIGINAL SEALS WERE MADE OF AN ORANGE RUBBER MATERIAL AND THE REPLACEMENT SEALS ARE MADE OF A PURPLE VITON MATERIAL. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SEALS WERE REPLACED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 2, 2014115,000 milesCA

FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE TANK. TOOK TO DEALER IN VALENCIA CA. THEY TIGHTENED THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE FOLLOWING WEEK WHEN WE FILLED UP, SAME ISSUE. RESPONDED VIA EMAIL TO SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. BROUGHT CAR BACK FOR SERVICE IN NOV 2014. DEALER SAYS CAR OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY 3 WEEKS. COST: $2500. OFFERS 15% OFF SERVICE, THIS IS A NICE GESTURE AND IT IS APPRECIATED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED (AND NOT CORRECTED) WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DEFECT INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AT NHTSA AND A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN GA. WE FEEL MB IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. *JS

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 15, 201466,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 12, 2010FL

ON TWO SEPARATE OCASSIONS, ABOUT 4 WEEKS APART STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT ON MERCEDES E CLASS. DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS A RARE OCASSION. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALER SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST TIME I WAS BILLED ABOUT $1,000. I AM GOING TO BE BILLED AGAIN WHEN THE CAR IS REPAIRED. *TR

10 of 10 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20098300Routine
2008 — this page10300Routine
200717400Routine
200641400Routine
2005231344Fatalities reported
2004203210Above average
2003214210Above average
200223010Routine
200138040Routine
200044020Routine
199983060Routine
199837000Routine
199763030Routine
199645030Routine
199596030Routine
199411010Routine

Compare every E320 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 19, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.