AI Damage2000 Mercedes-Benz E Class: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E Class filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 34
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 32% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 15% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 8 Latches, locks, linkages 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (32% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (21% of all).
- Structure: 5 complaints (15% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (9% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 4.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 34 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
It should be noted that when the brakes on the 2000 e320 are applied normally, they operate flawlessly with excellent grip, yet in panick stop the brakes fail to operate properly.
My 2000 e320 has excessive rust issues through out the entire body. I was told by mercedes benz of north america this is a common issue because of the use of a new water based paint used between 1997-2002 but because I am out of warranty and the car is over 10 years old they can not help me or offer me any further…
He also noticed corrosion on the spring tower. No repairs were performed. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.
I believe I am lucky that the car has not caught on fire as of yet with all of the electrical issues. The only good news I have about these constant problems is, the body repair company for mercedes-benz of south atlanta (ga), will see me on monday to see if they can replace the headlamps housing, provided they have…
The contact stated that every panel on the vehicle was rusted. The contacts personal mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle possibly would not pass inspection within a year.
Faulty cam and crankshaft position sensor caused engine to die (stall) in the mid traffic on three separate occasions within a period of two weeks. Dealer replaced cam position sensor 003-153-28-28 and sender unit 004-153-69-28, indicating the cause as an internal fault.
He stated that while driving at speeds of less than 40 mph, the contact thought he had run over something and there was a violent vibration in the steering wheel. Then, while making a left turn he could heard a grinding and thumping sound coming from under the vehicle.
Pulled to side of road without the use of power steering or brakes. Car would not start for approximately 2 minutes. Finally started and did not stall again. Next day, same thing happened. Was told it was a failure of the crank position sensor and that they are a common failure on a mercedes. Vehicle has 76k miles.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,426 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the E Class has 19 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 34, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
- E Class 19937 sources
- E Class 199438 sources
- E Class 199521 sources
- E Class 199616 sources
- E Class 199738 sources
- E Class 199824 sources
- E Class 199913 sources
- E Class 200115 sources
- E Class 20028 sources
- E Class 200345 sources
- E Class 200415 sources
- E Class 20059 sources
- E Class 200610 sources
- E Class 20085 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E Class?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, structure. Total complaints: 34. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (15%), stalls while driving (12%), steering or power steering problems (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz E Class?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2000 Mercedes-Benz E Class from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2000 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.