2009 Mercedes Benz E320 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Structure:body (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 (108)
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 108 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-01-02 · Structure:body“checking on unrepaired recall nhtsa#19v91832/recall#2019120012. this recall described as problem with bonding between glass panel and the sliding roof frame, which could lead in separation of the glass panel from the vehicle. i interpret this to be the sunroof glass detaching from the frame endangering others. this recall appears to be open on my v…”
2016-11-21 · Vehicle Speed Control · 64,818 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz e320. while driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the hesitation was persistent. the dealer diagnosed that the inlet port shutoff motor and linkage failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was re…”
2015-10-01 · Engine · 123,000 mi“the oil cooler on the vehicle is leaking oil. this is a large, 15 hour repair, the total estimate to replace the cooler and seals is $2350. i have not had this repair done yet. also had other oil seals replaced in the turbo area of the engine which cost me $989.91.…”
2015-03-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 47,000 mi“fuel leak from the seal on fuel pump in the fuel tank. small pad of fuel on a driveway when the tank is full. odor smell with a/c on. *tr…”
2014-11-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 59,600 mi“i was changing lanes and went to accelerate when the vehicle completely lost power. the cause of the loss of power is a plastic(yes plastic) rod that opens the intake to initiate turbo boost. the fact that his rod is made of plastic that can break so easily when you step on the gas pedal is dangerous. mercedes benz is supposed to make a quality car…”
2013-12-31 · Exterior Lighting · 85,600 mi“the wiring in the trunk that goes to the rear brake and license plate lights failed and opens the trunk failed. it was not possible to open the trunk with the remote or the button in the car. the only way was to use the valet key. there was also a warning in the dash about all of these lights being out. i took the car to a repair shop and they foun…”
2012-01-22 · Fuel System, Gasoline“dear officer, from the beginning (2010 august, 0 mileage, mb e320) the car has a chemical smell. at first, i thought it will go away. however, in few months it became the most awful chemical smell (it is not mold, diesel fuel or exhaust). this extremely penetrating chemical(s) is/are coming from carpet. venting/air-recirculation increases chemic…”
2009-12-17 · Fuel System, Diesel · 2,302 mi“2 highway stallings: 1) dec.1. 2009 traveling on i-95 south at 70mph, check engine light on, car suddenly stalled, managed to pull to shoulder. car towed to benz dealer 90 miles away. they changed a new fuel pump in charleston, sc. continued driving on 2) dec.3,2009, after 400+ miles on i-95 south at 70mph, check engine light on, car suddenly stall…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.