Mercedes Benz 320 1999
Model 320 made in 1999 by Mercedes Benz got 44 consumer complains. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, child seat and electrical system.
Model 1999
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 1 | |||
| The battery and air bag exploded, while the vehicle was parked. (lawyer, trevor grimm, on behalf of client). *ak *jb | |||
| 09/26/2001 | 2 | 11/01/2000 | |
| The srs light was on contiuously;air bags not on;9/26/01 the dealership allegedly fixed the problem for $136.80; two days later, problem still existed; returned again to dealership to be told that a part needed to be ordered for the right front sairbag(the other problem involved the left airbag); on oct 18 returned for third time to have problem corrected;they allegedly have fixed problem, charging me $329.60 (they paid for part after i complained). i feel this was defective and there should have been a recall on an $80,000. vehicle.mercedes should be held respondible. *ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 09/07/1998 | |||
| Air bag on passenger side is exposed and distorted. had taken vehicle to dealer & service manager hit air bag cover & closed it. this has happened at least 3 different times before. *ak | |||
| CHILD SEAT | |||
| 03/01/1999 | |||
| Mercedes benz baby smart feature allows you to purchase there specialized front-facing infant seat that will disable the airbags.......they claim that this seat is safe but i dont' feel comfortable using it given your recomendation (along with 2 mercedes benz emplyees that i spoke with). i am trying to find out if merceds is responsible for providing an alternate solution. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 04/09/2005 | 1 | 03/15/1999 | |
| Attempted to start the car. the battery exploded. there was an exyremely loud noise and the car was jarred. the battery is located under the rear seat. this is where the infant seats are located because this is where my grand children are required to ride. fortunately, they were not in the car at the time. emergency road service replaced the battery.*ak | |||
| 02/20/2003 | 24000 | 1 | |
| While in park, the battery exploded which also caused the air bag to deploy. *mr while parked, the right side front passenger airbag deployed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where they found that the hoppecke battery under the rear seat was cracked and broken and setting in a pool of acid which accounted for the acid smell at the time of the air bag deployment. the incident caused damage to the interior. *scc *jb | |||
| 1 | |||
| The battery and air bag exploded, while the vehicle was parked. (lawyer, trevor grimm, on behalf of client). *ak *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 05/31/1999 | |||
| Vehicle stalls when vehicle hits bumps in the road. dealer was notified. dealer inspected the vehicle, informing owner to not put any keys in the ignition. consumer request for more information regarding this subject. *yc | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY - RELAY | |||
| Vehcle receives 0 fuel pressure due to a failed fuel pump. also, the starter relay intermittently misreads the key code. vehicle is currently at the dealership. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 01/16/2004 | 55000 | 1 | |
| While driving 40 mph vehicle suddenly started smoking on the right side. then two minutes later, vehicle caught on fire. vehicle was totaled. *ak | |||
| 02/12/1999 | 1 | 02/01/1999 | |
| Ref: owners manual, trailer towing pgs 96-99. benz refuses to help resolve problem! factory wiring has provided +12v (hot) to the brake controller wire when ever brake pedal is depressed (orange brake signal wire pg98). conventional (after market brake controllers work by modulating this line voltage - this is why i cannot connect a brake controller. the vehicle is wired wrong. if an owner of a ml320 plugs a trailer with electric brakes to the factory installed harness plug - the trailer brakes overheat rapidly. i have tried repeatedly to get benz to investigate - they say owner's problem. please help!- don't let some innocent family loose controll of their boat or camper because benz refuses to investigate their wiring error! | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 51000 | 1 | ||
| Per consumer vehicle is consuming excessive amounts of oil while driving , especially on long trips. cause unknown. dealership has been contacted.*ak | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 45000 | 1 | |
| Consumer states vehicle uses a quart of oil for every 1000 miles. consumer is concerned that the engine will burn out. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 02/22/2000 | 2 | ||
| On two occasions vehicle experienced engine stalling while driving. dealer notified, and nothing could be found. *ak *ml | |||
| 05/31/1999 | |||
| Vehicle stalls when vehicle hits bumps in the road. dealer was notified. dealer inspected the vehicle, informing owner to not put any keys in the ignition. consumer request for more information regarding this subject. *yc | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 12/10/2003 | 51236 | 1 | 02/28/1999 |
| While driving vehicle stalled. consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to the engine timing chain. the problem was not resolved.*ak *mr | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||
| 3 | 08/07/1998 | ||
| Fuel guage does not register correct levels of fuel. dealer replaced the fuel sending unit three times which did not correct the problem. *ak rear seats can not be unlatched to use cargo area and to relock properly. exterior trim is falling off the door panel. the vehicle rattles from rear. a/c does not cool unless the recirculatory system is on. sun roof have follen out. transmission shifts hard and noisy. the latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly due to recall. the owner notified ofthe recall and the dealer fixed (99v-328). *yh | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH | |||
| 02/19/2006 | 50000 | 1 | 08/01/2000 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving at no particular speed, the headlights intermittently illuminate. the contact inspected and determined this was due to the headlight switch. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and no repairs were made. the headlights would go out with the turn signal or high beam lights were used. updated 03/17/06. *jb | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP | |||
| Vehcle receives 0 fuel pressure due to a failed fuel pump. also, the starter relay intermittently misreads the key code. vehicle is currently at the dealership. *ak | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||
| 08/17/2000 | 16250 | 1 | 09/01/1999 |
| The locks will ratchet up and down when an attempt is made to use remote locking device. there have already been 2 locks replaced on this unit in the previous six -eight months. i have attempted to determine whether or not daimer has a problem with same, but have been unable to do so. i have determined that the lock remains in the locking position after it completes a number of cycles and must be locked manually. i have attempted to determine whether or not daimer has a problem with the locks on this particular unit and have been unable to do so. any assistance you can give me in this matter would be appreciated as the vehicle is tied up for a couple of days with each occurrence. **** dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****728303. *ak *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 3 | 08/07/1998 | ||
| Fuel guage does not register correct levels of fuel. dealer replaced the fuel sending unit three times which did not correct the problem. *ak rear seats can not be unlatched to use cargo area and to relock properly. exterior trim is falling off the door panel. the vehicle rattles from rear. a/c does not cool unless the recirculatory system is on. sun roof have follen out. transmission shifts hard and noisy. the latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly due to recall. the owner notified ofthe recall and the dealer fixed (99v-328). *yh | |||
| 09/15/1999 | 1 | 06/01/1999 | |
| Transmission disengaged then downshifted (1st) while driving. brakes engaged. car came to violent halt , then car and passengers were lurched back & forth uncontrollably without operator input, rpms erratic until key removed. freeway incident would have resulted in fatalities. car was not drivable, mfg denied similar claims, see nhtsa item # sb605899. trauma of event has resulted in inability to drive vehicle (concern for safety and fear of reoccurance). | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES | |||
| 09/17/1999 | |||
| Transmission leaks oil/gas pedal is very stiff & hard to press/ door locks keep going up and down when using remote control/ rear washer hose to rear wiper had to be replaced/there is noise in the left front wheel, and disc backing plate is bent and brake pedal is stiff when trying to stop.*ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 3 | 08/07/1998 | ||
| Fuel guage does not register correct levels of fuel. dealer replaced the fuel sending unit three times which did not correct the problem. *ak rear seats can not be unlatched to use cargo area and to relock properly. exterior trim is falling off the door panel. the vehicle rattles from rear. a/c does not cool unless the recirculatory system is on. sun roof have follen out. transmission shifts hard and noisy. the latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly due to recall. the owner notified ofthe recall and the dealer fixed (99v-328). *yh | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - ANCHORAGE | |||
| 3 | 08/07/1998 | ||
| Fuel guage does not register correct levels of fuel. dealer replaced the fuel sending unit three times which did not correct the problem. *ak rear seats can not be unlatched to use cargo area and to relock properly. exterior trim is falling off the door panel. the vehicle rattles from rear. a/c does not cool unless the recirculatory system is on. sun roof have follen out. transmission shifts hard and noisy. the latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly due to recall. the owner notified ofthe recall and the dealer fixed (99v-328). *yh | |||
| SEAT BELTS - INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT | |||
| 08/20/1999 | |||
| There is no place for a todler attachment, and dealer will not attach one. *ak | |||
| Ther is no place for a todler attachment and dealer will not atach one. *ak | |||
| SEATS | |||
| 3 | 08/07/1998 | ||
| Fuel guage does not register correct levels of fuel. dealer replaced the fuel sending unit three times which did not correct the problem. *ak rear seats can not be unlatched to use cargo area and to relock properly. exterior trim is falling off the door panel. the vehicle rattles from rear. a/c does not cool unless the recirculatory system is on. sun roof have follen out. transmission shifts hard and noisy. the latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly due to recall. the owner notified ofthe recall and the dealer fixed (99v-328). *yh | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK | |||
| 09/15/1999 | 1 | 06/01/1999 | |
| Transmission disengaged then downshifted (1st) while driving. brakes engaged. car came to violent halt , then car and passengers were lurched back & forth uncontrollably without operator input, rpms erratic until key removed. freeway incident would have resulted in fatalities. car was not drivable, mfg denied similar claims, see nhtsa item # sb605899. trauma of event has resulted in inability to drive vehicle (concern for safety and fear of reoccurance). | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 09/08/1999 | |||
| Consumer's wife was driving at 20mph and the anti-lock brake system kicked in, and threw the vehicle to the side of the road. the abs brakes sytem were suppose to keep the car straight. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC | |||
| 09/17/1999 | |||
| Transmission leaks oil/gas pedal is very stiff & hard to press/ door locks keep going up and down when using remote control/ rear washer hose to rear wiper had to be replaced/there is noise in the left front wheel, and disc backing plate is bent and brake pedal is stiff when trying to stop.*ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||
| 11/01/2004 | 91448 | 2 | |
| While driving, the power steering fluid hose clamp opened without warning. as a result the power steering failed. the vehicle had to be towed to the nearest dealer. the cause has had not been determined. please provide additional information. *jb | |||
| 06/01/2003 | 36100 | 2 | 08/01/1998 |
| Driver's side power window was inoperative. the dealer was notified, and stated that the four window clusters for all the windows had to be replaced to get the driver's side window to operate. the consumer would like to know why all four window clusters had to be replaced. also, the power steering fluid leaked from the hoses/clamps, and connectors. the leaks appeared more frequently during the winter season which caused the metal to expand. the dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak *scc *jb | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 01/01/2004 | 55000 | 100 | 01/01/2000 |
| The front crankshaft pulley flies off the front of the engine, causing the vehicle to lose power steering. i own a mercedes repair shop. there have probably thousands of failures and someone will die when they lose their steering.mercedes is not covering these failuresout of warranty. it affects all v-6 engines from 96-2003 . call any dealer parts dept. and ask how often they sell one.*ak | |||
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 3 | 08/07/1998 | ||
| Fuel guage does not register correct levels of fuel. dealer replaced the fuel sending unit three times which did not correct the problem. *ak rear seats can not be unlatched to use cargo area and to relock properly. exterior trim is falling off the door panel. the vehicle rattles from rear. a/c does not cool unless the recirculatory system is on. sun roof have follen out. transmission shifts hard and noisy. the latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly due to recall. the owner notified ofthe recall and the dealer fixed (99v-328). *yh | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR | |||
| 09/17/1999 | |||
| Transmission leaks oil/gas pedal is very stiff & hard to press/ door locks keep going up and down when using remote control/ rear washer hose to rear wiper had to be replaced/there is noise in the left front wheel, and disc backing plate is bent and brake pedal is stiff when trying to stop.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 03/06/2006 | 1 | ||
| This incident occurred to my 1999 mercedes benz e320 sedan. the incident involves the failure of the right front spring perch failure. if it were not for an inspection related to routine maintenance, my mechanic was sure that a serious catastrophic failure would have occurred. from what i have been able to gleen from mercedes benz owner websites, this is a fairly common occurrence in these vehicles and yet mb has not ordered a recall. *nm | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||
| 02/26/2002 | 10 | 03/01/2001 | |
| Loss of control of accelerator. vehicle runs to 1000 rpm, unable to accelerate. *ak | |||
| 10/01/1998 | |||
| Model ml320 the cruise control stalk on this vehicle is located directly above the turn signal stalk. the cruise control & turn signal stalks are of equal length. when making a right turn, and engaging the right turn signal, it is likely to also graze the cruise control stalk, which engages the cruise control, and sets speed. this is especially a problem at night, as the cruise control stalk is not lighted. all other mercedes-benz vehicles currently produced have a cruise control stalk that is shorter then the turn signal stalk. the ml320 is the exception. very dangerous, and very unnerving when the cruise control activates when turing right. | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL | |||
| 09/17/1999 | |||
| Transmission leaks oil/gas pedal is very stiff & hard to press/ door locks keep going up and down when using remote control/ rear washer hose to rear wiper had to be replaced/there is noise in the left front wheel, and disc backing plate is bent and brake pedal is stiff when trying to stop.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||
| 06/01/2003 | 36100 | 2 | 08/01/1998 |
| Driver's side power window was inoperative. the dealer was notified, and stated that the four window clusters for all the windows had to be replaced to get the driver's side window to operate. the consumer would like to know why all four window clusters had to be replaced. also, the power steering fluid leaked from the hoses/clamps, and connectors. the leaks appeared more frequently during the winter season which caused the metal to expand. the dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak *scc *jb | |||
| VISIBILITY - SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY | |||
| 3 | 08/07/1998 | ||
| Fuel guage does not register correct levels of fuel. dealer replaced the fuel sending unit three times which did not correct the problem. *ak rear seats can not be unlatched to use cargo area and to relock properly. exterior trim is falling off the door panel. the vehicle rattles from rear. a/c does not cool unless the recirculatory system is on. sun roof have follen out. transmission shifts hard and noisy. the latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly due to recall. the owner notified ofthe recall and the dealer fixed (99v-328). *yh | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 09/17/1999 | |||
| Transmission leaks oil/gas pedal is very stiff & hard to press/ door locks keep going up and down when using remote control/ rear washer hose to rear wiper had to be replaced/there is noise in the left front wheel, and disc backing plate is bent and brake pedal is stiff when trying to stop.*ak | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA | ATLANTA | 30349 | CARRIAGE HOUSE IMPORTS | 770 964 1700 |
| MD | SILVER SPRING | HERB GORDON | 301-890-3030 | |
| OH | DAYTON | 45459 | KOSS MOTOR |