NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Mercedes Benz E 300 Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1998 Mercedes Benz E 300 right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 9 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Mercedes Benz E 300.

1998 Mercedes Benz E 300 owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mercedes Benz E 300, describing incidents dated November 15, 2001 to November 19, 2023.

Most-cited components

Engine 4 complaints
Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint

Of the 9 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 9 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11555921 · Filed November 19, 2023
The front driver side coil spring ejected out while driving, causing the front of the car to dive down on the driver side. I do have the parts that came out. Luckily I had just got off of the freeway and was only going around 10 mph when it happened and no one was hurt. I'm sure at hwy speeds you…
ODI #10513726 · Filed May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ 300E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE TOP FRONT SPRING MOUNT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
ODI #10081309 · Filed July 18, 2004
I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE EASTBOUND INTERSTATE 10 IN GULFPORT, MS IN A LIGHT RAIN ( IT HAD BEEN HEAVY 2 HOURS BEFORE ) WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 65 MPH. I HAD JUST COME OVER THE LORRAINE COWEN (SPELLING?) EXIT AND A LITTLE AFTER THE CAR WAS ON THE FLAT ROAD, THE CAR WITHOUT…

Read all 9 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Mercedes Benz E 300 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE07-021: FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTION
Closed August 9, 2007 · Filed for the E300

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1998 Mercedes Benz E 300 right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Mercedes Benz E 300. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mercedes Benz E 300.

Steering; Suspension; Wheels

ODI #11555921

Incident: November 19, 2023 · Filed: November 19, 2023

The front driver side coil spring ejected out while driving, causing the front of the car to dive down on the driver side. I do have the parts that came out. Luckily I had just got off of the freeway and was only going around 10 mph when it happened and no one was hurt. I'm sure at hwy speeds you could potentially lose control. This issue just happened today 11/19/23 and no repair shops, insurance or agencies have been notified. This is the first report of my problem. There were no warning signs noticed prior to the failure.

Suspension

ODI #10513726

Incident: May 23, 2013 · Filed: May 28, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ 300E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE TOP FRONT SPRING MOUNT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10081309

Crash

Incident: May 12, 2004 · Filed: July 18, 2004

I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE EASTBOUND INTERSTATE 10 IN GULFPORT, MS IN A LIGHT RAIN ( IT HAD BEEN HEAVY 2 HOURS BEFORE ) WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 65 MPH. I HAD JUST COME OVER THE LORRAINE COWEN (SPELLING?) EXIT AND A LITTLE AFTER THE CAR WAS ON THE FLAT ROAD, THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING SPUN 180 DEGREES AND WE WERE BACKWARD ON THE INTERSTATE. SEEING THE TRACKS ON THE SHOULDER THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR CAME OFF THE INTERSTATE BACKWARDS AT ABOUT A 15 TO 20 DEGREE ANGLE, SPUN ANOTHER 270 DEGREES AT THE LOWER EXTENT OF THE CLEARED EMBANKMENT, AND WENT INTO THE WOODS. IT MIRACULOUSLY MISSED ALL LARGE TREES AND THE 3 PASSENGERS SUSTAINED NO INJURIES AT ALL. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS THERE WAS NO SEVERE IMPACT, THE MOST SEVERE AREA OF IMPACT DAMAGE BEING SOMEWHILE IN THE RIDE HITTING THE LEFT REAR DOOR AREA MORE SEVERELY, AS THE LARGEST DENT WAS THERE. THE SPIN-OUT WAS NOT PROCEEDED BY ANY HYDROPLANING FROM THE FRONT END. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF POOLED WATER ON THE ROAD AT THAT POINT. I WAS COMPLETELY BAFFLED AT WHY WHEN GOING ABSOLUTELY STRAIGHT, WITH NO BRAKE OR WHEEL MOVEMENTS AND NOT ENCOUNTERING NOTABLE WATER, THE CAR SHOULD SUDDENLY SPIN. AFTER THINKING ABOUT THIS, I THEORIZE THAT THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED GOING DOWNHILL FROM THE ELEVATED OVERPASS OF THE ROAD CROSSING THE INTERSTATE. THE AREA OF SPIN OUT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH WHEN THE SLOWING CAR WOULD HAVE AGAIN GOTTEN POWER FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR WAS AN E300 TURBODIESEL AND IT ON ACCELERATION FROM STARTING HAS ALWAYS HAD A TURBO LAG WITH A VERY NOTICEABLE BURST OF POWER WHEN THE TURBO COMES IN. IT IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER DIESELS I HAVE HAD IN THAT IT DELIVERS CONSIDERABLE TORQUE--243 FT.LB.@ 2600 RPM. I HYPOTHESIZE THAT THE SUDDEN APPLICATION OF TORQUE ON THE WET ROAD THREW THE REAR END AROUND. IF THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN OTHER CASES, AT THE LEAST, A WARNING TO NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE RAIN SHOULD BE PUT OUT. I HAVE GIVEN UP CRUISE CONTROL FOR GOOD.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10071820

Filed: April 29, 2004

WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE A SUGGESTIVE REMEDY, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Diesel; Seat Belts

ODI #10060517

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: November 19, 2003 · Filed: March 5, 2004

UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN CRASH, RESULTING FROM OIL INTO INTAKE FROM SEAL ON TURBO CHARGER. CAR HAD BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED 5 DAYS PRIOR, WITH ERROR MESSAGE ON AIR MASS SENSOR. PART WAS REPLACED. THIS ERROR MESSAGE ALSO OCCURRED 15 MONTHS BEFORE, AND WAS ALSO REPLACED THEN. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMAL PRIOR TO BOTH SERVICING. NO ENGINE INDICATOR WARNINGS EVER CAME ON PRIOR TO CRASH. SEAT BELT APPARATUS ALSO BROKE UPON IMPACT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN MY HEAD STRUCK IT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #8023098

Incident: November 14, 2002 · Filed: November 21, 2002

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. CHECKED OIL AND DIPSTICK WAS DRY. CONSUMER ADDED ADDITIONAL OIL AND VEHICLE STARTED. RECHECKED OIL AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERFILLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE "SHUT-OFF VALVE". DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IF CAR IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE THE OIL AND FUEL WILL DRAIN TO AN AREA OUTSIDE OF "SHUT OFF VALVE" MAKING THE CAR "THINK" IT HAS NO OIL OR FUEL. CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PROBLEM DOES EXIST. TS

Tires

ODI #757925

Incident: November 15, 2001 · Filed: February 7, 2002

TIRE ON LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE BLEW OUT. TIRE WAS LESS THEN ONE YEAR OLD AND HAD ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT. MICHELIN INSISTED IT WAS A ROAD HAZARD EVEN THOUGH TIRE WAS LEFT REAR. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/55R-16)

Exterior Lighting

ODI #528917

Filed: January 15, 1998

CERTAIN NEW MERCEDES HAVE HEADLIGHTS WITH A BLUE TINT WHICH CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHTNESS AND GLARE.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #528916

Filed: January 15, 1998

CERTAIN NEW MERCEDES HAVE HEADLIGHTS WITH A BLUE TINT WHICH CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHTNESS AND GLARE.

Other Mercedes Benz E 300 model years

Check your 1998 Mercedes Benz E 300 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz E 300 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercedes Benz VIN