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2001 Mercedes Benz E320 problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 is electrical system, typically around 110,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical E320 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
65/100
Owner complaints
38
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
34
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
21mpg

The worst 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    13
  • Airbags
    7
  • Transmission
    6
  • Lights
    5
  • Engine
    4
  • Steering
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Seat belts
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 34

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 34 bulletins for the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320

2001 Mercedes Benz E320 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.2L 6‑cylRWD182621

What 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 2, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · TX · fire

Unknown, the car filled with smoke from within the dashboard on driver side.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Airbags · 231,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes-benz e320. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the passenger's side air bag and side curtain air bags inadvertently deployed without warning or impact. The contact pulled off to the shoulder to inspect the vehicle and saw that there was no damage to the vehicle. A police report was not filed. The contact had not suffered injuries. The contact drove the vehicle home after the failure. Mercedes-benz of bellevue (11850 bel-red rd, bellevue, wa 98005) was contacted and the contact was informed that an investigator would contact him to discuss the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 231,000.

Filed Dec 2, 2020 · Visibility · 360,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes-benz e320. The contact stated that the sun roof seal disintegrated and caused water to leak into the vehicle. The contact stated that his 2008 model vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility) however, the 2001 VIN was not included. The contact contacted mercedes-benz of fort lauderdale located at 2411 s federal hwy, fort lauderdale, fl 33316; (954) 949-0623) and it was confirmed that the failure was the same however, the 2001 model was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 360,000.*ln

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Airbags · CA

Srs light appears on dashboard. Car was checked in a repair shop. Diagnostics indicate a code which had recall issues. I called a mercedes dealer to discuss the problem but was told there was no recalls on this. What is to be done when an accident happens? This is a safety issue!!

Filed Feb 5, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 150,000 miles · IN · fire

Engine caught on fire while vehicle was idling in park in the driveway. Completely destroyed the vehicle in 10-15 minutes. Fire started under the hood. I believe that there was an electrical problem that induced the fire but unable to be sure. Photos are available if needed. The car was in good maintenance, no engine work had been done recently. Last repair was a transmission fluid replacement after repairing a transmission fluid leak in early december 2018

Filed Oct 13, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 153,769 miles · OH

Ignition and key defects causes car to stop running and stall. Steering wheel locks while car is in motion.

Filed Feb 5, 2016 · Engine · FL

When veh. Is stopped at a light or just in a parking lot, it stalls or will not start right away. Eventually it starts and away we go. Never a warning whatsoever. All fluids are full and battery is good. Rec. Fuel(gas) is always used.

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · GA

Defective insulation on the wiring for the exterior lighting. It appears this problem is catalyzed by heat. Insulation crumbles and leave bare wire exposed, causing shortage and failure/melting of light socket. Obviously, mercedes benz of north america realized issue but s not compelled to make repairs!

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · CT

When the brakes were applied to slow down the car water from a cup in the cupholder directly above the center console where the gear shifter is located spilled and seeped down into an electrical circuit board that was located beneath the cup holder. The car came to an abrupt stop and was inoperable. The circuit board short circuited. This was the second time this occurred where liquid was spilled and seeped into the circuit board. I suspect that the location of the circuit would be the same for several model years and is a design flaw in that it makes no sense to locate a circuit board in a place where liquid is likely to be spilled and can cause a short circuit that renders the vehicle inoperable. This is very dangerous as it left the car inoperable in the middle of a 3 lane highway. The driver and passengers were exposed to the possibility of the car being struck by another vehicle on the highway or struck by a vehicle trying to leave the vehicle and seek safety on the side of the highway.

Filed Feb 10, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 167,000 miles · TX

The plastic coating on the wiring for the headlights is coming off leaving exposed copper wires that short out causing headlights, etc. To fail.

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Questions about the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320

Is the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 reliable?

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320, close to a typical E320 model year.

What is the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 year score?

The 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 scores 65 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz E320: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320?

Electrical system, with 13 complaints, typically around 110,000 miles. Next is airbags (7).

How many recalls does the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Mercedes Benz E320 have the most electrical problems?

The Mercedes Benz E320 model years with the most electrical complaints are 1995 (89 complaints), 2003 (21 complaints) and 2005 (16 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 26 highway.

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