Suspension complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I own a Mercedes Benz e-500, 2003, with only 31,700 miles on it. On Friday, July 16, I had it serviced at my local mb dealer in larchmont, ny. On Sunday, July 18, as I started the car in my garage, a warning message appeared saying "stop. Car too low". I have contacted the dealer and they will look at it but, I believe it is a failure of the front right (passenger side) airmatic suspension, the car is obviously out of warranty but I can't believe that, after only 31,700 miles, that such a part can fail. I'm rather hesitant to drive it to the dealer but they are assuring me that it is safe to drive. In my research I found that mb has had similar complaints on this type of part and I wish for the NHTSA to take some sort of action to force mb to address this issue. Thank you
The car has been a disappointments since I got it in January 28,2003. It has had many problems and the dealership said its fix. Autohaus Mercedes Benz in pompano beach , florida sold me a car that has been to the shop more than 10 times . 1)whippers very loud and don't clean. 2) fuel gauge does not work 3) tire sensors do not work 4)stereo shuts off and on 5)alignment problem car pulls to the right. 6)engine is very loud 7)engine hesitates. 8) sos malfunction 9)Mercedes Benz phone does not work. 10) lowjack system that they installed has not worked properly since they put it on. When they sold me the car they said that they were going to come out with a GPS and a voice activate kit for the Mercedes Benz and now they tell me that they were not going to make it for my car so I was lied too . …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz e Class 320 wagon which was purchased used in March 2003. 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. He then noticed the front passenger's side wheel was actually inside the wheel well. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer where they found the front passenger's side coil spring perch failed causing the front end passenger's side of the vehicle to collapse. The current and failure mileages were under 130,000. Updated 01/19/10 the air mass flow sensor and outer tie rod were replaced. The lower ball joints were worn and were replaced. The crank sensor was replaced. The engine was consuming large amounts of oil. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mercedes Benz e320. While driving 20 MPH, the contact heard a loud banging noise coming from the front end of the vehicle after driving over a bump in the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front spring tower had fractured. He also noticed corrosion on the spring tower. No repairs were performed. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.
Purchased a used 1999 Mercedes Benz e300 turbo diesel end of feb 2006 with 92,494 miles from a Jaguar/Land Rover dealer. Traded in a 1985 Mercedes Benz 300 turbo diesel. Brought car to the mechanic that does all my work to have all fluids changed and the car checked. Mechanic called to recommend I not drive the car until the left front spring cap was replaced. I visited the mechanic and viewed the left front spring cap. When the mechanic put his finger on the left front spring cap his finger nail chipped off flakes of metal it was enough to convince me not to drive the car until it was repaired. My concern was that the left front wheel would come off and caused a serious accident including possible deaths if the spring cap parted and the spring came off at highway speeds. I paid my mechanic to install a new front spring cap to prevent a failure. …
I own a 1999 Mercedes Benz e55 amg (w210). After parking the car while grocery shopping, I returned and found the front of the vehicle much lower than normal. Upon further inspection, the driver's side front coil spring and two other parts were found lying under the vehicle. I moved the vehicle slightly to look for additional broken parts and was able to drive home at 15 MPH, making only very minor turns (for approximately 1/4 mile). Upon inspection with the wheel off, the upper spring perch had become almost completely separated from the frame rail, severed the ABS sensor wire (which caused several warning codes related to the ABS, bas and ESP braking systems), and had also chipped the inner rim of the wheel and put a very large slash near the bead of the tire. I had just inspected the passenger side the week prior while changing a flat tire, and witnessed no corrosion/rust whatsoever. …
I am writing regarding an investigation into Mercedes Benz e300 (w210 chassis) failures. While driving on the massachusetts turnpike, route 90 on Monday, my spring perch failed, broke away from the vehicle and was lost on the highway. The perch let go with a very loud bang, then a pronounced bump (presumably as the rear tire drove over the spring assembly.) the car suddenly dropped hard on the front right bump stops. Lots of warning lights - bas, asr, etc. I thought I blew a tire or hit some road damage. Surprisingly, just a little swerve in the left lane and I made it to the right shoulder after a 1/4 mile. I had heard of the spring perch failures from the user forums at www.mercedesshop.com. At this point I was pretty sure it was a perch or possibly something worse because there was no tire smoke, burning or noise. I checked the tires & drove it 15 miles home. …
I have noticed that the spring/coil upper tower perch has almost come completely off. If it comes off while driving the car will lose control. It has come loose due to rust,which is a problem with these cars. These cars will rust on the body panels and on the suspension components. Please get Mercedes to do something about this. Not only is it bad cosmetically, but the rusted spring perches can be catastrophic.
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension coil spring ejection
Odi has focused this investigation on assessing the risks posed by a separated spring as (1) a road hazard and (2) the potential for vehicle control to be compromised after the front coil spring has been ejected from its intended position in the vehicle.both risks are associated with corrosion, flexing, and fracture of the upper front suspension mounting bracket.time-in-service failure rates are notably higher in…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz E Class years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (20), 1999 (9), 1996 (7) and 1998 (7) model years. Suspension complaints make up 53% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz E Class suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for any Mercedes-Benz E Class model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz E Class suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles; 9% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › springs › coil springs (25 mentions), followed by the front (21).
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.