2008 Mercedes Benz E320 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (2) · Suspension:rear:springs:air Suspension System:lines And Fittings (1) · Suspension (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz E320 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Service bulletins (84)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 84 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-19 · Structure:body“the vehicle previously underwent a sunroof recall repair; however, the repair appears to have been performed improperly. the sunroof seal was never replaced as required, which has resulted in ongoing water intrusion. the vehicle now shows two visible areas on the body with paint bubbling and surface rust consistent with water penetration and moistu…”
2023-12-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz e320. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed turbo valve and a failed exhaust system. the contact was informed that the tur…”
2022-12-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling“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 nhtsa campaign number: 08v006000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the vin was not included. the vehicle had not been repaired. th…”
2022-12-01 · Engine · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz e320. the contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. on another occasion while driving 30 mph, the contact stated that he noticed smoking coming from the front of the vehicle with an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. the contact was able to pull over and examine the vehicl…”
2021-06-21 · Suspension:rear:springs:air Suspension System:lines And Fittings · 155,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz e350. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked the contact heard a hissing noise coming from the vehicle. the contact noticed the rear suspension on the driver's side was deflated sitting very low to the ground. the contact stated when they entered the vehicle to turn it on they received an error messag…”
2017-06-08 · Suspension · 121,291 mi“lower front control arm replacement parts manufactured by feq and supplied thru worldpac are suspected to be defective. parts have 18k miles on them and are at a failure point. although we are unusble to determine if a part failure from design and manufacturer or from impact damage to supporting frame work ... pictures attached.…”
2017-02-07 · Engine · 81,396 mi“engine developed catastrophic oil leak. oil leaked from oil cooler seals. i was informed by mercedes benz service department that the seals were redesigned. the original seals were made of an orange rubber material and the replacement seals are made of a purple viton material. i was advised that it was unsafe to drive the vehicle until the seal…”
2014-12-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 115,000 mi“fuel smell outside of vehicle after filling the tank. took to dealer in valencia ca. they tightened the fuel filler neck. the following week when we filled up, same issue. responded via email to service manager that the problem was not corrected. brought car back for service in nov 2014. dealer says car out of extended warranty 3 weeks. cost: $2500…”
2014-10-15 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 66,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz e320. the contact stated that fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle and the fuel tank was leaking fuel. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 66,000. …”
2010-10-12 · Steering“on two separate ocassions, about 4 weeks apart steering wheel locked up causing a near accident on mercedes e class. dealer claimed this was a rare ocassion. vehicle is currently in the dealer shop for the second time for repair. the first time i was billed about $1,000. i am going to be billed again when the car is repaired. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.