1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Typical pattern 5.2% of complaints about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1998 vehicle — around the middle of the 180 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine cooling (18 complaints), typically at 6.2 yr or about 70,000 miles.
Covers 4 variants: E320 (51), E CLASS (31), E430 (16), E300 (13)
- Complaints
- 96
- Median age at failure
- 7.7 yr
- Median mileage
- 106,223 n=59
- Crash / fire / tow
- 18.8% of reports
- Safety recalls
- 0
Engine cooling 70,000 mi 7.7 yr in service
DRIVING CAR AT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED, LOST POWER STEERING, WAS ABLE TO DIRECT CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED PROBLEM, SUGGESTING IT GO TO A MB DEALER. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE
Engine cooling 70,000 mi 7.7 yr in service
DRIVING CAR AT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED, LOST POWER STEERING, WAS ABLE TO DIRECT CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED PROBLEM, SUGGESTING IT GO TO A MB DEALER. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE
Engine cooling mileage not reported 5.2 yr in service
CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. CHECKED OIL AND DIPSTICK WAS DRY. CONSUMER ADDED ADDITIONAL OIL AND VEHICLE STARTED. RECHECKED OIL AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERFILLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE "SHUT-OFF VALVE". DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IF CAR IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE THE OIL AND FUEL WILL DRAIN TO AN AREA OUTSIDE OF "SHUT OFF VALVE" MAKING THE CAR "THINK" IT HAS NO OIL OR FUEL. CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PROBLEM DOES EXIST. TS
Suspension mileage not reported 7.2 yr in service
THE TOP SPRING MOUNT BROKE OFF THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A CHECK UP, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE OTHER RIGHT SPRING NEEDED REPAIRS AS WELL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. *AK THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *SC *JB