10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
129,281 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Jul 012005

E320

  • 140,000 miles
Engine harness and alternator harness. Alternator harness overheated due to insulation on wires completely disintegrated. Harness was replaced by european service and transmission, in cummings, Georgia on October 22nd 2009.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #17

May 062008

E320

  • 92,000 miles
How many complaints on faulting wiring harness does it take to make Mercedes Benz except the fact they screwed up and need to replace the defective harness free of charge!!! I have both a 1994 & 1995 E320 cab., both of which are having issues with electrical wiring harness. After paying $80,000 + for a Benz, I and no one else should be faced with the cost of such an obvious flaw. I was raised in a Benz home but I guess you don't get what you pay for anymore. Bad! bad! '!@#$%!!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #16

Mar 182009

E320

  • 229,000 miles
Main and auxiliary wiring harnesses plastic wire coating is crumbling off leaving the copper wires exposed and prone to shorts..my vehicle gauges for the engine temperature, ABS, air bags, traction, and the lesser important gauges are working erratically or not at all. Mercedes usa does not acknowledge any wiring related problems (or any other problems) for the E series 124 type body vehicles but it has an ample supply of new and improved harnesses that vary in price from a few hundred dollars to the thousands.

- Mt Holly, NJ, USA

problem #15

Apr 102009

E320

  • 200,001 miles
Wire harness burnt out because of biodegradable wire casing rotting away and wires touching causing smoke and burnt out.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #14

Apr 032009

E320

  • 203,433 miles
When I was driving my car I smelt plastic burning. I stopped the car and opened the hood. I saw smoke coming out from the end close to the dash. Took the car to shop. They told me that engine wiring harness was burned, because of insulation cover for wiring. When I start to investigate for the part, they told me that is a common problem for Mercedes Benz E 320 class. I check with internet, Mercedes Benz club I found out that it was recall for 1992-1995 E class, for:electrical system wiring.with campaign#95V031000. When I called Mercedes Benz U.S.a(1-800-367-6372. Ext:4620 and ext:7810 ). person at ext:7810 told me that there is no such recall with campaign# exist and NHTSA office, gave me a wrong information and completely false. And what I got from there customer service department, they completely deny if there is any recall issued and just wished me luck !

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #13

Dec 052008

E320

  • 155,602 miles
Wiring harness and computer failures have caused vehicle to stall and fail to perform as expected.

- Goodyear, AZ, USA

problem #12

Sep 102007

E320

  • 640,000 miles
The car abruptly began to run poorly, to the extent that power steering and brakes were not present. Investigation found deteriorated insulation on the engine wiring harness which caused the problem. The engine wiring harness was replaced and normal functioning of the engine returned. Why hasn't a recall been made for this problem?

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #11

May 102008

E320

  • 155,104 miles
The wire harness is cracked. A/C compressor stopped, and that made relays blew out.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 022008

E320

  • 108,000 miles
Car just stalled and stopped working. Car was inspected and we found out it was an deteriorating engine harness. Wires were all fried an burned up.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #9

Mar 052008

E320

  • 143,000 miles
1995 Mercedes E320, the engine wiring harness deteriorated and I have multiple short circuits in the car. The engine stalls, turns on the wiper shield, sets the alarm on and check engine light is on. A certified Mercedes mechanic in autohaus yorktown (Virginia) found out the same thing...wiring harness are exposed due to deterioration (w/C shouldn't be since it is plastic..but further research said that it is biodegradable).

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #8

Jun 062006

E320

  • 115,000 miles
Wiring harness issue. Insulation degrades because of improper insulation material selection by Mercedes Benz. Very expensive repair.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #7

Feb 152008

E320

  • 50,000 miles
The engine injector wire harness is crumb link and causing a lot of problems. I understand mb knows of this problem and will not acknowledge it. Therefore they will not issue a recall. Bonnie lang

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #6

May 012008

E320

  • miles
Engine check light was on after a 2 hours drive. Brought the car (1995 E320) in to a mechanic. The mechanic said the cause was engine wiring harness crumbling to the touch. To replace it would cost $1400 for part and labor.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #5

Oct 102007

E320

  • 108,000 miles
1995 Mercedes Benz E320 engine harness needed to be replaced.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #4

Apr 152007

E320

  • 148,000 miles
I have had to replace the wiring harness as well as main engine gaskets due to excessive oil leaks on both sides of the engine.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

problem #3

Dec 152007

E320 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 208,434 miles
Car ran great one day and the next day the car started skipping I sent the car to a local shop thinking it just needed a tune up but was I wrong the motor wire harness had melted the shop replaced the wire harness.car still has problems light on the dash flicker on and off car still doesn't run right I've spent over $1000 dollars and still have a car that I can't drive.

- Broad Brook, CT, USA

problem #2

Jan 212004

E320 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles
The engine wiring harness and ea/cc/isc(part M16/1, electronic accelerator/cruise control/idle speed control) wiring insulation has badly deteriorated on my 1995 E320 cabriolet due to heat fatigue from poor manufacturing. This car has 92000 miles. The decay has reached the point of leaving bare exposed wire within the harness. These wires make contact causing the engine to stall, surge and set misc. Engine codes. It is just a matter of time until...who knows. This is a known problem to owners of these vehicles as evidenced by conversation threads on several well regarded forums. The general understanding is that Mercedes was attempting to create eco-friendly wire insulation that would degrade in the landfill. It was a great idea, but has failed miserably. In my opinion someone is going to be seriously injured if this problem is not resolved with a recall. Now. This is not by any stretch of the imagination a part that is prone to failure. My feeling is that by waiting it out Mercedes is hoping these cars will just go away. If you would like I can provide digital images of the harness clearly showing the decay. Quite frankly it is outrageous. I also do have a bad harness that I kept. I hesitate to send it as I may be forced to try and recondition it somehow. The cost of a new harness is ridiculous not to mention I would end up with a harness that will do the same thing unless they have changed there ways for this part! here are the forums I mentioned above. www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum www.benzworld.org/forums forums.mbworld.org/forum. I can not believe that a company known for a high quality long lasting product would duck out of their responsibility in this issue.

- Mendota Heights, MN, USA

problem #1

Mar 141995

E320

  • miles
Failure of air conditioner, windshield wiper fluid, radio antenna, and oil leak. The A/C failed continuously since purchased, the front windows had broken motors the water pump blew, oil leaked into the cooling system and was replaced(water pump and head gasket was replaced), two engine mounts collapsed, driver's door rattled, engine light stayed on, and both front tires lost air and were filled every two weeks(five sets of tire). The consumer requested reimbursement.

- Lady Lake, FL, USA