Mercedes Benz E320 engine failure problems

Filed Dec 14, 2022 · Engine · AZ

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Electrical · 96,062 miles · CA

Engine wiring harness insulation falling off - copper wires exposed and may result in short and engine failure at highway speeds - could result in injury or death.*dt consumer stated wiring is defective and that mercedes has been aware of the nature of the defect for many years.

Filed Feb 16, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 149,000 miles · OK

On wednesday, january 21, 2015, 4:45 pm, an attendant at sam's club gas pumps, tulsa hills shopping center, tulsa, ok, overflowed the gas tank, creating a spill large enough that absorbent materials was used to soak up the gas on the pavement (video available from sam's). Upon leaving, the engine died before exiting the station. Restarted and died again at the first traffic light about 1/4 mile away. Restarted and abnormal noises were heard during the next mile and while stopped at a traffic light, there was a large explosion under the hood, producing lots of black smoke but no extended fire. Local police helped in removing the car from traffic and later loading the car on a wrecker. The description from the mbz repair facility gave this explanation and repaired the car at a cost of $2,600. The gas overflow caused the charcoal canister to fill up with liquid gas and when the car was started the liquid gas was sucked into the input manifold, causing an undetected explosion and cracking the manifold. The explosions got larger as the car was driven and finally an explosion blew most of one end of the input manifold off (manifold available). End

Filed Apr 27, 2014 · Engine · 87,000 miles · PA

With engine running and car stopped and idling car engine died and would not restart for 20 minutes.

Filed Jul 23, 2013 · Engine, Locks · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated the engine failed to operate at startup. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The failure recurred several times and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for each failure. The dealer was unable to locate the defect each time. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 12/26/13*cn the consumer stated the vehicle can not be driven, because the check engine light is on, and the vehicle is leaking large amounts of oil. The motor mounts, transmission mounts, thrust arms, bearings and bushings were all replaced. The consumer stated the vehicle would lock on its own, after she un-locked it. The incidents happened several times. Also, there was an unusual sound coming from the vehicle, when it was stationary. Updated 02/05/14

Filed Dec 3, 2011 · Engine · 104,000 miles · KY

2004 e320 4matic wagon. Engine stalled while merging to I-65 sb. Vehicle was 7qt low on oil. Vehicle was not equipped with a manual dipstick to check oil. Vehicle is equipped with flexible service system that monitors oil level, conductivity, temp, pressure. Owners manual shows that if any parameters are outside normal, or in the case of sensor/system failure, a red warning would appear on instrument cluster to instruct the driver to stop the vehicle and turn off the engine. No warning was displayed. Dealership states instrument cluster failed to communicate with central computer due to a software issue. Engine must be replaced. Requested mercedes benz to replace engine and assign engineering team to address issue and issue a service campaign to prevent failure from happening to others. Mercedes benz stated that they will provide no assistance. I am concerned that this issue could also fail to provide other important information (brake system, airbags, engine cooling parameters) as well. As an engineer, in my opinion, this is clearly a design flaw that needs to be addressed and should have been evaluated by a failure mode effects analysis prior to deciding to remove the manual dipstick. If instrument cluster could not communicate with central computer, it should display a warning to stop the vehicle.

Filed Nov 8, 2011 · Electrical, Steering · 73,828 miles · DC

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes e320. The contact stated that the power steering seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the steering lock failed and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 73,828 and the current mileage was 75,000. Updated 11/29/11 *bf the consumer stated when she returned to her vehicle and inserted the key, it would not turn. The indicator said to remove the key. The consumer then made several attempts to start the car each time removing the key as directed. The tow truck driver informed the consumer, the steering lock malfunctioned. Updated 02/28/12

Filed Oct 30, 2007 · Electrical · 150,550 miles · CT

My car seem not to be starting all the time when I turn the ignition key on. Mercedes service informed me that the wire harness needs to be replace and there are bare wire exposed and this could be causing the problem. The informed me that the material was made with biodegradable material and that's why this is occurred. I informed the dealer that this is a safety hazard and should be fixed by mercedes as a campaign rather than charge the owner 1,500 dollars to fix. The dealer said to not touch the wire harness and eventually the car will stop running. This is totally unacceptable for a 50k plus car and not to have the manufacturer to stand behind their poor design. I am reporting this before I have a failure which could cause an accident due to engine failure and brake failure due to lack of power.

Filed Apr 16, 2006 · Electrical, Fuel system · 70,000 miles · FL

Wiring harness in 1995 mercedes benz e320 deteriorated causing the vehicle to stop abruptly and had to be towed - this is a known problem with these cars and mercedes has no response to correct or discount the repair parts - paid 3200.00 to replace engine harness, fuel actuator, transmission wiring harness -

Filed Jan 25, 2006 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · NJ

I have a 1995 mercedes benz e320 which was well maintained. As I was driving to work this month, the car started stalling on the highway and I was lucky I was not hit from behind by other fast moving cars. After replacing ignition parts the car still was stalling and then stopped totally. Upon examination, all the engine harness wires were found to have been totally stripped of their insulation inside the outer fabric cover. They all were contacting each other and it was hopless to fix since all the wires failed at once. Several merecedes benz dealers knew of this problem and it was common knowledge to them. However, merecedes benz seems to think this problem is not of their concern and contacting them results in refusal to replace the wiring harness as car is out of warranty. This is a defect that could injure by accident or start a fire and not a warranty problem. Mercedes-benz needs to recall these cars and replace the engine harness before someone is unlucky and becomes injured.