1997 Mercedes Benz E320: airbag warning light

Filed Nov 26, 2017 · Seat belts · 146,000 miles · CA

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 arrest, both from the impact of the belt pushing on her heart and the explosion. One week later the drivers side seatbelt did the same thing . I had not used the drivers side belt on the day of the first incident, or any day since. But they are exploding about the same time as the second incident happened the very first time that the drivers belt was put in use after the passenger belt incident. The same slow right turn, while braking into a the turn, was being performed. The SRS light has been on ever since.

Filed Jan 9, 2017 · Seat belts · 137,000 miles · WA

While proceeding straight on a city street, at about 30 MPH, during the day, with no other vehicles on the road, I heard a metallic explosion inside our 1997 mercedes benz e320 sedan. The seat belt immediately and painfully pinned me back into the drivers seat, rendering me breathless and disorientated. I felt like I had been shot, and I looked around outside the car for the source. I turned off the street and parked. I was able to release the seatbelt, but it did not retract. The SRS warning light was on. I got out of the car and inspected its exterior. There was nothing to note. I subsequently took the car in for an authorized inspection and evaluation. I learned that the seatbelt retraction system had activated, even though there was no input to the activation sensor. There is no recall for this issue, so the repair bill is on me.

Filed Dec 6, 2014 · Airbags, Seat belts · 135,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

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. From the noise and the pressure, I thought I'd been shot, but then realized neither I nor the car was struck by anything! I looked at the drivers on either side of me (nobody behind me) to see if they had heard or seen anything, but nobody was looking my way, so it was obvious they had not heard or smelled anything (burning odor" emanating from somewhere in the car). I felt pain in my chest & back/shoulder, and was shaking, but since I was on my way to the doctor anyway, I proceeded to her office for my appointment. Immediately after, I went to the mercedes dealership (no seat belt), where I left the vehicle to be repaired. They acted as though this kind of thing happens every day - nobody even asked if I was ok; nor did anyone discuss the obvious "malfunction" that had just occurred. I was later advised this happened because the "computer" thought I was about to crash! Now, the car needs a new seat belt assembly and an SRS control unit/total price ~$3,000! I told my service guy (dr) that they need to pay for these repairs, that this was obviously a malfunction/defect in the car. I was told this is not the dealership's concern, that I need to contact mercedes benz, which I did. I am writing this on december 6th, 17 days after leaving my car at the dealership. I am shocked by the lack of customer service from mbusa - the customer service girl at mb would not even give me her supervisor's full name or contact info.! *****note: there was a recall for this exact issue on my exact model, which neither the dealer nor mbusa has mentioned yet!!***** unfortunately, I am forced to retain counsel.

Filed Jan 10, 2012 · Airbags, Seat belts · 130,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercedes benz e320. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the seat belt began to retract and lock accompanied by an abnormal noise. The air bag warning light also illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2010 · Airbags, Seat belts · 105,000 miles · CA

When turning on the car, notice SRS (seat belt restraint system) light on, upon moving forward in slow speed, a loud pop followed by the tightening of the seat beat and then burning smell of smoke filled the cabin. This I assume is how the system should work during an accident but this happened while I was driving and if I had been driving on the freeway or public highways, I could have easily crashed due to the incident.