1997 Mercedes Benz E300
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › E300 › 1997
These records cover every 1997 Mercedes Benz E300. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
8 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
The wire harness IS brittle and the insulation IS disintegrating, resulting in shorts and electrical failures. the headlights stopped working unexpectedly.
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
TL*- the contact owns a 1997 mercedes E300. while driving at various speeds and pressing the brake pedal the rear passenger brake light did not illuminate. recall#05v505000 related to the 1999 SLK mercedes. The failure mileage was 89,000. The current mileage was 90,000. *ak
- Suspension › Front
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35mph a loud bang was heard coming from underneath the vehicle. after hearing the noise, the vehicle began handling differently and was taken to a dealer for inspection who determined the suspension had collapsed on front passenger side. the suspension…
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35mph a loud bang was heard coming from underneath the vehicle. after hearing the noise, the vehicle began handling differently and was taken to a dealer for inspection who determined the suspension had collapsed on front passenger side. the suspension housing was entirely replaced and the attachment of the spring to the body was re welded. the contact IS concerned the problem could occur on the driver side. the manufacturer partially covered the repair and asked the contact to sign a confidentially waiver because of a recent influx of vehicles being repaired with the same problem.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel · Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problems with mercedes-benz E300 diesel.*mr the consumer has had ongoing problems with the engine hesitating and stalling while driving and has spent approx $3800.00 in repairs for defective vehicle. *cb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Rotors were not working properly, they were making noise when applying brakes, and there was extended stopping distance.contacted dealer, and dealer stated that rotors were only suppose to last 20000 miles.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The first engine oil leak was repaired under warranty at 8/25/2000 (48,523 miles) and the replacement gaskets are leaking again on 9/15/2001 (at 58,500 miles). *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving on highway, gears shifted back and forth between two gears; acceleration at 25-50 mph. Took vehicle to dealer. *Ak on several occasions vehicle would hesitate at 40 mph and vehicle IS bucking, dealer replaced resonance flap, and fuel injection pump, problem still exists, consumer also complains of poor fuel efficiency. *tt
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery
While starting vehicle battery under rear passenger seat had exploded. Dealer/manufacturer were notified and were unwilling to assist. *Ak consumer states in spite of various attempts, a foul smell still remains. *slc
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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 of the upper front suspension mounting bracket.time-in-service failure rates are notably higher in salt belt states since corrosion IS a primary contributor to the failure mode.since a number of incidents have occurred while the vehicle was being operated, odi IS skeptical that owners can always detect the subtle side to side difference in ride height and/or inspect or notice that the upper suspension bracket has been compromised by corrosion.(1) road hazard - although the (approx. 7 lb.) front suspension spring that may be ejected at highway speeds could pose a serious road hazard to pedestrians and other vehicles, the occurrence rate has been low (.03% based on 51 reported incidents occurring and an initial population of 172,781 vehicles after 9 - 12 years of use / exposure) and there are no known injuries, fatalities, or property damage reports due to an ejected spring.also, many of the 51 incidents occurred at low speed or while the vehicle was stopped or parked.(2) vehicle control - vehicle handling and control could be affected by the fracture of the upper suspension mount and/or the associated spring ejection.odi first identified its concern about corrosion in the upper suspension bracket of subject vehicles in 2002, at which time mercedes provided a video that showed that a vehicle could be steered, stopped, and controlled through various maneuvers at high speeds with a front coil spring completely missing from the vehicle. During pe07-021, in addition to reviewing the 2002 video-tape, odi engineers drove an exemplar vehicle with the spring removed and simulated various combinations of steering angles to assess whether there were any possible conditions / displacements in which the separated spring might interfere with the wheels. In a vehicle with the front spring removed, the top of the wheel can lightly contact the bottom area of the wheel fender during high angle turns typically associated with slower speed maneuvers such as city driving. The light tire contact generated an obvious grinding noise and would likely abrade or bend the edge of the fender with continued use.however, the extent of the interference was not sufficient to affect vehicle steering and does not occur at smaller turning angles associated with highway driving.odi has not identified a safety related defect trend at this time.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation IS closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that a safety related defect does not exist.the agency reserves the right to take further action if future circumstances warrant.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10186142Unmotivated Reaction from Park Assist - model series 213 facelift / 238 facelift with option code 235 (active par- king assist) and option code 501 (surround view system)
- 10186135If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
- 10181124Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10181123Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D
- 10179951AIRMATIC Fault Message "Max 80 km/ h (50 mph) " In Instrument Cluster
- 10167525Apple products (iPhone or iPod) are not charged via the serial USB interface of the COMAND Online control unit (A40/3) in the stowage compartment of the center console.
- 10167000Surface damage on steering wheel trim
- 10166976Message in instrument cluster "DISTRONIC PLUSCurrently Unavailable - See Owner's Manual"
- 10166090Possible complaints: 1. Memory function of electric seat fore/aft adjustment not functioning. 2. Seat fore/aft adjustment with easy entry/exit feature not functioning. 3. Head restraint presetting not functioning. 4. Seat fore/aft adjustment can only be adjusted for 2 sec with the seat adjustment switch (seat can only be adjusted in longitudinal direction in fits and starts). 5. Function "Collision avoidance when folding down the rear seat backrest" not functioning (seat fails to move forward when the rear seat backrest is folded down).
- 10165849AIRCAP functions excessively
- 10164811Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of rear axle
- 10164810Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
- 10164807Assessment of actuating and operating noise from steering
- 10151959Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
- 10151948Display of suspension setting in head unit implausible
- 10151924Liftgate intermittently does not open fully
- 10136035Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
- 10135639Vehicle cannot be unlocked (CL), engine does not start - 12V starter battery discharged
- 10135628iPhone mobile phone: Various complaints after software update to iOS8
- 10135598Engine diagnosis warning lamp lights up in instrument cluster, fault code U145400: "Implausible data were received from the ethanol sensor"
- 10134789Various fault codes logged in power electronics control unit
Every Mercedes Benz E300 model year
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