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1997 Mercedes-Benz E ClassProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E Class, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year9% below the E Class median · #3 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints382 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage95kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 18, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E Class has problems

38 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension200
Structure60
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Visibility30
Air bags20
Electrical system20
Seats10
Steering11
Fuel system, gasoline10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Mercedes-Benz E Class recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other E Class year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E Class median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E Class, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTIONPE07021 · closed Aug 9, 2007
    No recall
  2. INADVERTENT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENRQ00013 · closed Jul 20, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-388
In owners' words

What E Class owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I TOOK MY CAR INTO GET THE SUSPENSION FIXED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SPRING PERCH THAT ATTACHED THE SPRING TO THE CAR HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK. LUCKILY I FOUND IT BEFORE I HAD A BAD ACCIDENT. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CHECKING WITH MERCEDES TO SEE IF THEY WILL STAND BY A POOR DESIGN ISSUE…
Complaint 10556553 · Dec 18, 2013 · 96,000 miles
I WAS COMING OFF WEST RT 46. I CAME TO A STOP SIGN,MADE A RIGHT AND AS I WAS DRIVING HEARD A THUMP NOISE....THEN AS I DROVE A SQUEAKING NOISE AND I PULLED OVER,LOOKED AT THE CAR,AROUND IT AND UNDER IT AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I DROVE IT SLOWLY ABT A MILE HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME I OPENED THE HOOD AND…
Complaint 10467941 · Jul 27, 2012 · 139,535 miles
WHILE DRIVING, HEARD A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. SHORT WHILE LATER, STARTED TO PROCEED FROM A STOP AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING CAME OFF THE CAR AND EXITED OUT THE WHEEL WELL WITH A BIG BANG AND ROLLED DOWN THE STREET ABOUT 75 FEET. *TR
Complaint 10291568 · Nov 9, 2009 · 102,000 miles

Own a 1997 E Class?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.