1996 Mercedes-Benz E320 problems & reliability
45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension → | 19 | 42% |
| Electrical System → | 12 | 27% |
| Air Bags | 5 | 11% |
| Structure | 5 | 11% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 9% |
| Steering | 3 | 7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 110,000 miles (middle 50% between 70,000 and 135,000 miles), based on 29 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mercedes-benz e320. While driving approximately 60 mph, the front end of the vehicle suddenly shook and vibrated before collapsing. During the incident, the front driver side suspension spring separated from the vehicle and caused a puncture to the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed to the…”
Suspension · filed Jul 16, 2018
“Tl* the contact owned a 1996 mercedes benz e320. While driving 65 mph, the air bags failed to deploy after the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The driver sustained knee, back, neck, and chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The…”
Air Bags · filed Nov 12, 2014
“When you replace the battery on these vehicles the safety restraint system malfunctions rendering the safety equipment useless ie. Air bags the automobile should have a recall whereby mercedes fixes the defective system. *tr”
Seat Belts · filed Oct 21, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTION
Preliminary Evaluation PE07021 · opened Apr 19, 2007 · closed Aug 9, 2007
Technical service bulletins
31 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320. The 10 most recent:
NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
LI54.30-P-072145 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 10, 2020
Unmotivated Reaction from Park Assist - model series 213 facelift / 238 facelift with option code 235 (active par- king assist) and option code 501 (surround view system)
LI54.65-P-072065 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 9, 2020
If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
LI42.47-P-067502 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 9, 2020
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
LI27.50-P-071658 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 30, 2020
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
LI27.50-P-049281 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 22, 2020
AIRMATIC Fault Message "Max 80 km/ h (50 mph) " In Instrument Cluster
LI32.22-P-071495 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 20, 2020
Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
LI91 45-P-066075 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2018
Display of suspension setting in head unit implausible
LI54 30-P-068430 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 19, 2018
Liftgate intermittently does not open fully
LI72 20-P-068322 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 2, 2018
Enclosed for your information and pursuant to part 579.5, please find our latest Service and Warranty Bulletins for March, 2016
Reporting · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 4, 2016
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 110,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.