The contact owns a 1995 Mercedes Benz E320. While driving at 55 mph, there was smoke under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

1995 Mercedes Benz E320. Consumer states disintegrating wiring harness defect the consumer stated the head gasket developed a leak, but in order to do the repair a new wiring harness is needed.

- Washington, DC, USA

The contact owns a 1995 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact noticed that the engine warning light would sporadically illuminate on the instrument panel. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the wiring harness failed. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 95V031000 (electrical system:wiring); therefore, they would not assume responsibility for any repairs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 100,000.

- Luthersville, MD, USA

When I was driving my car I smelt plastic burning. I stopped the car and opened the hood. I saw smoke coming out from the end close to the dash. Took the car to shop. They told me that engine wiring harness was burned, because of insulation cover for wiring. When I start to investigate for the part, they told me that is a common problem for Mercedes Benz E 320 class. I check with internet, Mercedes Benz club I found out that it was recall for 1992-1995 E class, for:electrical system wiring.with campaign#95V031000. When I called Mercedes Benz U.S.a(1-800-367-6372. Ext:4620 and ext:7810 ). person at ext:7810 told me that there is no such recall with campaign# exist and NHTSA office, gave me a wrong information and completely false. And what I got from there customer service department, they completely deny if there is any recall issued and just wished me luck !

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Wiring harness.

- West Covina, CA, USA

Vech. Started skipping one day. Light on the dash started flashing I sent the car to the shop thinking it needed a tune up boy I was wrong the engine wire harness melted the shop replaced the harness and did the tune up but the vech still doesn't run right I've spent $1010.82 and still don, T have a car I can use don't know what to do now this is a shame the car could have started fire and I don't why it didn't the wires are all melted together ive kept it for proof if needed I think Mercedes should refund my money and fix the car it is of no use to me sitting in my driveway.

- Broad Brook, CT, USA

Car ran great one day and the next day the car started skipping I sent the car to a local shop thinking it just needed a tune up but was I wrong the motor wire harness had melted the shop replaced the wire harness.car still has problems light on the dash flicker on and off car still doesn't run right I've spent over $1000 dollars and still have a car that I can't drive.

- Broad Brook, CT, USA

My car stalled in an extremely inopportune time due to a failed wiring harness. The car stalled on the freeway, I appreciate being alive to write this. The engine wiring harness is disintegrating for no other reason than age. My car is 95 Mercedes wagon. Mercedes customer service wants to take no responsibility, they blame prior mechanics and the Arizona heat.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Intermittent failure of various electronic parts. Radio, lights, warning lights, window switches, locks.

- Corvallis, OR, USA

Noticeable hesitation and rough idle on my Mercedes E320 1994 wagon. My mechanic tells me the electrical harness is crumbling and was well know for cars 1991-1996 for this model and dealers have had the knowledge for several years. This part will need replacing at a cost of approx. $1600 and I don't understand how I was never notified of a recall since I purchased the car new in 1995. The consumer stated the harness is available for inspection. The consumer provided the repair invoice. Updated 09/05/07

- Westport, MA, USA

The wiring harness has disintegrated into nothing but strands of wire all touching themselves and causing shorts and problems all over my car. I have been quoted insane amounts of money to replace something that should never have failed to begin with in this car. Further research suggests that this is a problem that mb usa should have recalled and fixed years ago.

- North Brunswick, NJ, USA

Mercedes E320 1995 wiring harness failure. Car began to run rough, check engine lights would keep coming on. Dealer said they couldn't fix the car without replacing the entire engine wiring harness (which seemed ludicrous at the time since no american car I'd ever owned needed such a drastic fix) other dealers took the car for repair but all came to the same conclusion about the hopelessness problem of the harness. To add insult to injury, the harness is about $1,000 dollars un-installed... now I understand that this problem happened to virtually all Mercedes E320 of that 5 yr. Period but there was never a recall to protect all of the owners. I've never left town with the car because it always ends up on the side of the road as its' so undependable. So much for my first and last Mercedes...

- Minnetrista, MN, USA

- the contact stated that the 1995 Mercedes 320E, should be part of recall 95V031000 for electrical system:wiring that he found on the NHTSA website. He stated that on 02/15/07 he began to notice the engine light was staying on, and he opened the hood of the vehicle and found that the wires in the vehicle were frayed. While driving the vehicle slowed down without notice. He had to pull the vehicle over and turn the power off and then restart the vehicle. The contact stated that he felt the vehicle should be on the recall due to the wiring burning out. The contact called the dealership, and stated that this vehicle was not apart of the recall and he will be responsible for repairs because of the mileage on the vehicle. The current and failure mileage were both 203971. Update 4/23/07

- Stilwell, KS, USA

Wiring harness on my 1995 E320 has deteriorated to an unsafe condition and needs replacement. I have experienced several unusual check engine indications which have turned out to be false alarms. In one case it caused a problem for me in getting my California smog certification because of a false check engine light. After consulting with several Mercedes authorized mechanics I have learned that this wiring harness condition is a know problem affecting several models over several years. I visually inspected the wires and can see the insulation cracking and crumbling before my eyes. I contacted Mercedes Benz usa in NJ and was informed that my vehicle is not subject to recall and was 12 years old with high mileage (105000 miles). As a result I am forced to replace wiring harness at my own expense to rectify an obvious manufacture defect resulting in serious safety issues.

- Newport Beach, CA, USA

I took my 1995 E320 Mercedes into a repair shop after smelling burnt oil. The repair shop advised me that I had a head gasket leak and that the harness wiring system is degraded. Additionally, the timing cover leaks oil and the throttle body actuator wiring is also degraded. The after market bentley repair manual cites the head gasket and wiring harness are being a common problem. My car has 91K miles. These types of problems reflect a poor design and I postulate a built in obsolescence by the manufacturer. These problems should have been identified by Mercedes for recall; instead Mercedes is profiting from these problems. For instance, the wire harness for my auto can only be procured from Mercedes at a cost of 1200$.

- Pismo Beach, CA, USA

Problems with wiring harness...needs replacement - I cannot afford this. Why was this part not recalled"?" I have a 95 E320 mbz.

- Van Nuys, CA, USA

: the contact stated the vehicle had a wiring harness problem. The plastic harness caused problems with the speed control as well. The vehicle had problems accelerating at 65 mph and the dealer determined the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact stated the problem had been an ongoing issue for two years.

- Lagrangeville, NY, USA

Car engine stalled during driving. Car was brought to the Mercedes Benz dealer (millennium in NJ ( who told me that the wiring harness needed replacement. I had more than 100K miles on the car so I paid $2,700 to have the problem fixed.

- Warren, NJ, USA

I own a 95 E320 Mercedes Benz which has 98,000 miles. Since I've purchased this vehicle I have always maintained the car properly; I change oil every 4,000 miles, I changed the transmission just last year, etc. Recently the smog pump wore out so I asked a certified Mercedes Benz technician to replace it. After the replacement, he informed me that he found all of the fuel injection wire harnesses totally stripped of their insulation inside the outer fabric cover. He said the wires were touching each other and it is impossible to fix. He also said that several Mercedes Benz dealers knew of this problem and it was common knowledge to them. After contacting them, Mercedes Benz seems to think this problem is not of their concern because the expiration of its warranty, so they refused to replace it. This is a defect that could injure by accident or start a fire and not a warranty problem. Mercedes-Benz needs to recall these cars and replace the wire harness before someone is killed or becomes injured.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

: the contact stated the smog pump was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the smog pump was replaced. The technician determined the wiring harness between the fuel injector and ignition was deteriorating and could overheating. There is a NHTSA recall, # 95V031000, regarding the wiring. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 05/02/06.

- Long Beach, CA, USA