VehicleVerdict

2009 Mercedes-Benz E320 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E320 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other E320 years?

E320 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted287 complaints1994: 19 complaints1995: 129 complaints1996: 62 complaints1997: 80 complaints1998: 51 complaints1999: 109 complaints2000: 81 complaints2001: 54 complaints2002: 27 complaints2003: 281 complaints2004: 243 complaints2005: 287 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 20 complaints2008: 13 complaints2009: 11 complaints
E320 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E320 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Mercedes-Benz E320 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System436%
Engine327%
Electrical System19%
Lighting19%
Speed Control19%
Body & Structure19%

Does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E320 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V874000Visibility & WipersNovember 19, 2024 · 33,456 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

22V954000Visibility & WipersDecember 23, 2022 · 131,653 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

19V918000Visibility & WipersDecember 20, 2019 · 747,928 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Consequence

A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS CHANGING LANES AND WENT TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER IS A PLASTIC(YES PLASTIC) ROD THAT OPENS THE INTAKE TO INITIATE TURBO BOOST. THE FACT THAT HIS ROD IS MADE OF PLASTIC THAT CAN BREAK SO EASILY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 9, 2014

“THE OIL COOLER ON THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL. THIS IS A LARGE, 15 HOUR REPAIR, THE TOTAL ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE COOLER AND SEALS IS $2350. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS REPAIR DONE YET. ALSO HAD OTHER OIL SEALS REPLACED IN THE TURBO AREA OF THE ENGINE WHICH COST ME $989.91.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 22, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE HESITATION WAS PERSISTENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INLET PORT SHUTOFF MOTOR AND LINKAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 29, 2016

“CHECKING ON UNREPAIRED RECALL NHTSA#19V91832/RECALL#2019120012. THIS RECALL DESCRIBED AS PROBLEM WITH BONDING BETWEEN GLASS PANEL AND THE SLIDING ROOF FRAME, WHICH COULD LEAD IN SEPARATION OF THE GLASS PANEL FROM THE VEHICLE. I INTERPRET THIS TO BE THE SUNROOF GLASS DETACHING FROM THE FRAME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 2, 2020

“2 HIGHWAY STALLINGS: 1) DEC.1. 2009 TRAVELING ON I-95 SOUTH AT 70MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED, MANAGED TO PULL TO SHOULDER. CAR TOWED TO BENZ DEALER 90 MILES AWAY. THEY CHANGED A NEW FUEL PUMP IN CHARLESTON, SC. CONTINUED DRIVING ON 2) DEC.3,2009, AFTER 400+ MILES ON I-95 SOUTH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 1, 2009

2009 Mercedes-Benz E320 — common questions

Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E320 reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2009 E320 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints), lighting (1 complaints).

Does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E320 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E320. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz E320 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E320 years to avoid are 2005, 2003, 2004, 1995, 1999. The cleanest record among E320 years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.