2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class from North America - Comments

Power steering replaced at 34K miles.

I complained about my car pulling for over a year. Once the warranty ran out, they told me I needed new ball joints.

The computer dash panel went out at 28K miles.

The service center put lifters on the engine at 28K miles as the engine was rattling.

Catalytic converter was replaced at 39K.

At 43K miles the power steering needs to be replaced again.

I have been extremely frustrated with my first gently used vehicle purchased from Mercedes. I have been buying cars for 30 years now and I haven't experienced such problems on cars since the days of driving the Chevy, and Oldsmobile.

I switched to Nissan and then Lexus, and had no problems. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the 04 Lexus ES300 body style, and chose to buy a used Mercedes and what a mistake. It is unfortunate that little to no action is taken against Mercedes for these poor recurring quality problems. I have spoken to a lot of people who feel the same as I. This car has been dealer serviced, gently driven and cared for as all of my previous vehicles, and as soon as I can get it into the service center and get the power steering repaired once again, I will be purchasing another car. I am either going back to Lexus or purchase an Infiniti.

No details about the car, such as Version, Model or Engine. I'm sorry, but this review is just plain useless. This review should be deleted.

I disagree with the previous comment - reviews about general quality issues are not dependent on naming a specific engine or model type. Mercedes E-Class models in recent years have serious quality problems which people need to be aware of - mentioning E-Class Mercedes to anyone in the car trade in Germany generally results in a sad shake of the head or eyes raised to heaven - indeed, if you want to listen to a long rant, ask a German taxi driver what he thinks of the newer (post mid-90s) E-Class range!

Totally agree. Ten years ago every taxi was a MB, usually an E-class that had done half a millions kms or so. Now I'd guess that less than half are MB. A lot of Volvos, Toyota Camry and even Hyundai Sonatas. MB quality simply is not up to old standards. I've even asked taxi drivers. One ran a Camry and he said MB cars will break the bank. Another had a 15 year old banger with 1.2 mill kms on it. He refused to trade it with a new one, costs was still lower with old car.

Two of my neighbours are running E-classes as well. Below average quality even with premium price. Rust and electrical problems, one has problems getting MB approved rust repairs (all 4 doors) on 6 year old car even if MB states 30 years corrosion warranty. I would never ever go near a MB dealer.

I agree with all of the above. My 2000 E320 has the same problems. Catalytic converters failing, rear windows dropping, ball joint wear, SRS sensors failing, all the usual E series failures that occur way too early in the life of ANY car. After the second dash cluster failed again I finally found a company that re-manufactures them with a warranty. I hope I have finally beaten that issue. I also understand that you can get premium cats from independent shops so maybe I can beat that issue too. I like the ride and drive, but the same issues just keep popping up. It's hard to continue fixing the same defective parts over and over again and be happy with the car.

I own a 01 E320. Sport model, head turning good looks. but I've had some of the same problems. Not a non stop horror story but some of the same. I'd say M/B ownership nowadays is a love-hate relationship. I owned a 220S no problems at all. Solid like a tank. Before that a 190 gas, also like a tank.

The M/B dealer rip off has created a cottage industry of independent shops which have their own problems. They feed off of owners abused by the dealer repair facilities, but then just abuse a little less.

BMW by the way has some of the same issues--certainly dealer wise--but not to the same levels, and generally there are fewer problems or hocus pocus with the car in the first place.

Ed