1996 Mercedes-Benz E320 Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
1crashes2fires
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
7
SUSPENSION:FRONT
6
SUSPENSION
5
1crashes
AIR BAGS
4
2crashes2injuries
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
1crashes1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
Total complaints62

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2014-11-05

“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”

AIR BAGS · reported 2014-10-20

“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 · reported 2014-10-20

“After filling up on gas just two days ago, there was a very peculiar smell. It smelled of gas fumes. Just today, I noticed that my gas gauge was going down quite fast and it wasn't until just now that my gas tank is leaking.”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2013-09-04

“After filling up on gas just two days ago, there was a very peculiar smell. It smelled of gas fumes. Just today, I noticed that my gas gauge was going down quite fast and it wasn't until just now that my gas tank is leaking.”

ENGINE · reported 2013-09-04

“My vehicle was parked in front of store allowing a 93 year old lady to go shopping,as I was parked there I was sideswiped, I immediately took it to the auto shop to have it repaired, after doing this I discovered that the key can't start the car because the ignition is jammed or key will not turn,…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2013-06-19

“My vehicle was parked in front of store allowing a 93 year old lady to go shopping,as I was parked there I was sideswiped, I immediately took it to the auto shop to have it repaired, after doing this I discovered that the key can't start the car because the ignition is jammed or key will not turn,…”

STEERING · reported 2013-06-19

“Spring perch snapped and spring shot out on front passenger side while wife and children were in the car. Thank god they were less the 200 feet from the house and only traveling about 5 mph. *tr”

SUSPENSION · reported 2013-05-30

Defect investigations

Investigation PE07021 Opened 2007-04-19 · closed 2007-08-09

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTION

ODI HAS FOCUSED THIS INVESTIGATION ON ASSESSING THE RISKS POSED BY A SEPARATED SPRING AS (1) A ROAD HAZARD AND (2) THE POTENTIAL FOR VEHICLE CONTROL TO BE COMPROMISED AFTER THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BEEN EJECTED FROM ITS INTENDED POSITION IN THE VEHICLE.BOTH RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CORROSION, FLEXING, AND FRACTURE…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E320 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.