My 1995 E320 with approximately 130,000 miles began to exhibit unusual performance characteristics, rough idle, occasional stalling at lights. When I took it to my local mechanic, they informed me that as they began to investigate what the problem might be, the individual wires in the engine wiring harness were crumbling under the slightest pressure, making any repairs extremely risky without having the entire harness replaced at a cost of approximately $1800. The fact that this has been well-documented for several years is troubling, especially given Mercedes' reputation for cars that will run for years with proper regular maintenance. Obviously mbusa is aware of the problem, since dealers stock the harness.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Mercedes Benz M104 engine electrical wire harness insulation flakes off and shorts out wires. Possible engine fire could result. Manufacturer has replaced some of these in a random fashion, under a good will warranty.

- Bremo Bluff, VA, USA

It has come to my attention that Mercedes automobiles sold in the United States in 1994 and 1995 were equipped with "biodegradable" engine electric harnesses. The insulation on these, including my car, have deteriorated and become unsafe, causing shorting between wires. My information is that Mercedes has refused to consider this a recall issue. Replacing the harness costs approximately $1,400. In addition to the cost, this is a real safety issue. My request is that Mercedes be contacted and convinced that it is in their best interest to replace these harnesses before it causes some expensive and dangerous fires.

- Friday Harbor, WA, USA

My 1995 Mercedes E320 almost cut off at idle after several trips and costly repair bills. Finally diagnosed as faulty wiring harness. Was told by mechanic that Mercedes had a private recall. Dupont made some biodegradeable insulation for Mercedes that just fekk apart. Thiswas not fair to consumers.

- Great Neck, NY, USA

Wire harness completely deteriorated!! this is not right for a car 10 years old. Mb usa wont help at all.

- San Ramon, CA, USA

Initial problem started in late October 2005. Intermittent misfiring of cylinders, hesitant. Several trips into shop resulted in "could not replicate trouble". finally sent in with severe misfiring. Replaced coil, some ignition wires, spark plugs. A few days later, same symptoms happened. After more diagnosis, determined engine wiring harness had failed. Insulation had completely disintegrated allowing wires to touch. Potential for more severe damage to vehicle computers, accident or worst, fire. Local mb shop indicated it was "not a major problem", "should expect it with 10 year old car". item was in stock for $975 (so I assume it does happen frequently), with labor of 8 hours @$119. I did not feel this should happen on a 10 year old car, not to mention a former "certified pre-owned" vehicle. After researching internet, found over 36 pages worth of NHTSA manufacturers complaints, regarding similar trouble with the wiring harness. Total spent to repair = $2313.43. Welcome to the world of Mercedes Benz.

- Methuen, MA, USA

Wiring harness in engine compartment has cracked, dry rotten, and missing insulation. This is caused by poor materials used in production. It could be a significant safety hazard and cause a fire.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

My 1995 Mercedes wagon E320 has only 42K miles on it but all the wires aka the engine harness are crumbling to the touch. All the wire insulation has deteriorated because of the use of bio-gradable plastic. The dealer wants me to pay $1500 for the engine harness. How can such a major part be so poorly made and unreliable. This is a major safety issue for my family.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

Disintegration of insulation on engine wiring harness.

- Orlando, FL, USA

The insulation that protects the wires in the engine wiring harness of 1995 Mercedes E320 vehicles deteriorates and causes the wires to short. This electrical short may result in unexpected engine stalling, thus creating a hazardous condition. The engine wiring harness must be replaced. This condition exists in all 1995 E320 vehicles sold in the United States. The condition exists in other years and models by Mercedes, however I do not have specific information concerning the affected years and models.

- Dunwoody, GA, USA

When I had my 60,000 mile service I was told the the wiring harness was defective and needed to be replaced to the tune of about $1500 dollars. Mercedes would not pay any part of this repair even thought the dealer indicated that it was a obvious design problem in the wiring harness of the E320 series and had been fixed in later models. My problem was that the harness wires leading to the spark plugs has hardened and the insulation has flaked off of the wires. God only knows where the harness has hardened elsewhere and what potential problems could occur when the vehicle is being driven. I think that since it has been omitted as a defect and is now causing safety and reliability problems that the manufacture should step up and repair the problems.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

I own a 1995 Mercedes Benz E320 wagon. I have owned the car for several months and decided to change the oil. While reaching into the engine complartment, I felt an electrical shock from a wire bundle near the oil filter. I looked and saw bare wires exposed where the insulation was missing. I have since found out many other owners of same vehicle have experienced similar issues with the wiring harness. This seems to me to be a very dangerous and very common defect with certain model years. The repair is very costly. Why is there not a recall on this very common and hazardous issue? it is an obvious design flaw.

- Dacula, GA, USA

Disintegration of the engine wiring harness causing loss of power while driving.

- Peoria, IL, USA

I own a 1995 E320 sdn, I have 87,000 miles on the vehicle and Mercedes has performed all major service of the vehicle during the time I have owned the car (4yrs). I was informed that the main wire harness is falling apart and it was recommended that it be replaced to the tune of $1,200 plus. I have worked on cars for many years as well as restoring them and have never run across a problem such as this. M.B. should stand behind this failure and initiate a recall.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

I own a 1995 Mercedes Benz E320 wagon. Purchased in Feb 2003 with 5300 miles on odometer. The hfm engine wiring harness had to be replaced immediately after trip to dealership for excessive fuel consumption/heavy sulfur odor. Mercedes Benz web chatrooms (mbworld.org, benzworld.org, mercedesshop.com) detail literally several dozen cases of defective wiring harnesses which required replacement for W124 cars with M104 engines of model years 1992 to 1995. These wiring harnesses were aparently made with wires whose insulation is prone to excessive degredation with heat and time. The loss of insulation eventually leads to short-circuiting of the wires and a host of driveability issues. Replacement of my harness fixed my problem. This part is apparently universally defective from the factory, and as such I believe that a recall of the defective item is in order.

- Durham, CT, USA

Underhood engine wiring harness insulation deteriorating rapidly on our 1995 E320 wagon due to heat fatigue. This is a universal defect with all 1993-1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 models. On our previous 1994 E320, this problem caused the car to lose power to one or more cylinders. Definite fire hazard.

- Acton, MA, USA

Engine stalled multiple times in traffic. Replacement of engine wiring harness solved the problem. Insulation on the individual wires in the original engine wiring harness assembly has seriously decayed to the point that it is flaking leaving bare exposed copper wire within the assembly. The bare wires within the assembly conceivably made spurious electrical contact causing the engine stalls.I avidly participate in Mercedes automotive technical chat rooms. This particular problem (decay of engine wiring harness insulation) is rumored to be confined to the Mercedes 1993-1995 models with M104 engines. This would include models C280, 300E (3.2L and 2.8L engine), E320, S320. Within these models, the problem appears widespread. It is rumored that Mercedes was trying to formulate an eco-friendly insulation that would degrade in the landfill. Though it was a noble effort, the wiring unfortunately decayed before its time was due, leaving a three year production of E320 models with wiring that is unsafe and prone to cause stalling. I have the old wiring from my vehicle and I can provide digital images of this wiring illustrating the problem in detail upon request. I believe the engine wiring harness of all affected Mercedes vehicles should be subject to recall because it is not a part of a car that is normally expected to fail, and it has a profound effect on safety and emissions. The references below contain documented complaints of many people who have the abovementioned problem. References:www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum www.benzworld.org/forums forums.mbworld.org/forums

- Livonia, MI, USA

Bad engine wiring which possibly caused engine to stall in traffic.

- Assonet, MA, USA

While vehicle was being serviced and inspected, the mechanic examined the engine wiring harness and determined that the wire insulation on the harness was showing signs of serious deterioration and recommended replacing it before it caused problems by shorting out.

- Assonet, MA, USA

Product:Mercedes 1995 E320 sedan problem: The engine's wiring harness has its insulation made of pvc. Pvc cannot and has not tolerated the heat and vibration developed within this vehicle's engine compartment. It, the pvc insulation, has become so brittle it is literally chipping apart at every vital sensor and/or device- including fuel delivery components! this has me extremely concerned since I'm starting to get check engine signals to the dash display now. I called Mercedes' 800 number and they are acting ignorant about this issue since I'm not the original owner.

- Sqan Jose, CA, USA