Most common 1997 Mercedes-Benz 420 problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz 420 complaints by model year
Best 420 years: 1999. Years to avoid: 1997. Compare all years →
What 1997 Mercedes-Benz 420 owners say
Suspension
I am filing a complaint regarding after warranty support for the above referenced vehicle. The spring seat detached from the body of the automobile causing the suspension to fail while the vehicle was in motion at 45 MPH on a downhill grade. As the suspension detached from the car, the left front side dragged on the road causing the right rear to slide into the other lane of traffic. Impact from an approaching vehicle was narrowly adverted. Further, large pieces of the vehicle including the coil spring where left in the road causing a hazard. My mechanic and the facility that repaired the vehicle has stated that this is a common defect in the design of this vehicle. Further, a internet search reveals numerous complaints of this failure specific to this model. I had a dismissive conversation with Mercedes Benz USA. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 MPH the vehicle was riding rough. The vehicle was slowed to 5 MPH and the driver side front coil spring fell off. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership determined the bracket that held the coil spring onto the frame had disconnected causing the coil spring to fall off. The local Mercedes Benz dealer stated they would pay half of the repair if done by their body shop. The repair was $2600. The contact wanted the repairs done locally and opted for the deal. The contact claimed that this indicated that Mercedes took some responsibility for this failure.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Mercedes Benz e420. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, he heard a loud pop near the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over and saw that metal was hanging from under the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle was able to be driven but was unsafe and had the vehicle towed to his home. The vehicle was not taken for inspection. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Automatic transmission malfunctioned. It would get stuck in the gears and May result a crash. Please provide further information.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mercedes-Benz 420 a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 420 rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the 420 at the same age. It is one of the 420 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz 420?
The suspension — 11 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › springs › coil springs. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (3) and seat belts (2).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercedes-Benz 420 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz 420. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz 420?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997. See the full Mercedes-Benz 420 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Mercedes-Benz 420 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 140,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.