NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Mercedes Benz E 300 Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1999 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. 13 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Mercedes Benz E 300.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1999 Mercedes Benz E 300 owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Mercedes Benz E 300, describing incidents dated May 21, 2001 to July 11, 2015.

Most-cited components

Suspension 4 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Electrical System 1 complaint

Of the 13 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10874486 · Filed June 15, 2016
THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING PERCH FAILED DUE TO RUST WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO DROP TO THE GROUND ON THAT SIDE. THE COIL SPRING FELL OUT AND ROLLED DOWN THE STREET. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A WELDER AND FIXED THE PERCH. THIS LUCKILY HAPPENED ON A LOW SPEED ROAD, WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER…
ODI #10874484 · Filed June 15, 2016
MY FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM SHEARED OFF JUST AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RIPPED OFF. I WAS TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH MINUTES BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE. THE STEERING DID FEEL STRANGE ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE. THIS EVEN RESULTED IN THE FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTING FROM…
ODI #10671712 · Filed January 12, 2015
THE WIRING INSULATION INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HAS DEGRADED AND CRUMBLED LEAVING ONLY THE BARE COPPER WIRE SHOWING. THESE WIRES HAVE SHORTED GOING OVER BUMPS CAUSING A LOSS OF LIGHT TO OCCUR. *TR

Read all 13 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 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 1999 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 1999 Mercedes Benz E 300. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

13 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Mercedes Benz E 300.

Suspension

ODI #10874486

Incident: July 11, 2015 · Filed: June 15, 2016

THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING PERCH FAILED DUE TO RUST WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO DROP TO THE GROUND ON THAT SIDE. THE COIL SPRING FELL OUT AND ROLLED DOWN THE STREET. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A WELDER AND FIXED THE PERCH. THIS LUCKILY HAPPENED ON A LOW SPEED ROAD, WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER WITH A BOTTOMED OUT SUSPENSION. THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING STRAIT DURING THE INCIDENT.

Suspension

ODI #10874484

Incident: November 14, 2014 · Filed: June 15, 2016

MY FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM SHEARED OFF JUST AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RIPPED OFF. I WAS TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH MINUTES BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE. THE STEERING DID FEEL STRANGE ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE. THIS EVEN RESULTED IN THE FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTING FROM THE CAR COMPLETELY. A QUICK EXAMINATION OF THE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE CONTROL ARM SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF AT THE WELD OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE CONTROL ARM SHEARED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE, BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE HAD 129,273 MILES ON IT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E300 TURBODIESEL.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10671712

Incident: January 12, 2015 · Filed: January 12, 2015

THE WIRING INSULATION INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HAS DEGRADED AND CRUMBLED LEAVING ONLY THE BARE COPPER WIRE SHOWING. THESE WIRES HAVE SHORTED GOING OVER BUMPS CAUSING A LOSS OF LIGHT TO OCCUR. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10597179

Incident: May 25, 2014 · Filed: June 17, 2014

1999 MERCEDES BENZ E-300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUSPENSION COLLAPSE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. HE AND HIS WIFE HEARD A FEW LOUD THUDS, A FEW SECONDS APART AS SOME THINGS STRUCK THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE TIRE AND EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, HE COULD SEE THE LEFT FRONT SPRING PERCH WAS RIPPED LOOSE WHERE THE SPOT WELDING WAS WEAKENED BY RUST. HE COULD ALSO SEE THAT THE SPRING, TOGETHER WITH ANY RELATED HARDWARE, WAS MISSING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SEALING MATERIAL WAS NOT CAPABLE OF KEEPING WATER OUT OF THE SPOT WELD AREA. INSTEAD, MOISTURE WAS RETAINED IN THE SPOT WELD AREA, ALLOWING RUST TO FORM. THE RUST EVENTUALLY BROKE THE SPOT WELD. WHEN THE SPOT WELD FAILED, THE SPRING NO LONGER SUPPORTED THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. JB

Suspension

ODI #10421040

Incident: August 13, 2011 · Filed: August 22, 2011

1999 MERCEDES BENZ E300TD FAULTY UPPER COIL SPRING SUPPORT DESIGN. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHEN THE LEFT UPPER SPRING MOUNT SIMPLY COLLAPSED. THE CAR DROPPED DOWN AND THE COIL SPRING FELL OFF.IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AS IT WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE. MOMENTS EARLIER I HAD BEEN AT 70 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY.I FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR WOULD BE FILING THIS REPORT. I DID NOTHING UNUSUAL TO CAUSE THIS EVENT.THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 151,000 MILES ON IT AND THESE VEHICLES ARE CLAIMED TO BE ABLE TO LAST FOR 400-500,000 MILES. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VINTAGE OF MERCEDES VEHICLES. LOOKING AT THE DESIGN, THE MATERIAL HAS NO CORROSION ALLOWANCE FOR A PART THAT IS LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT IS SUBJECT TO A DAMP ENVIRONMENT. IT IS EXTREMELY THIN AND THE METHOD OF ATTACHMENT ENCOURAGES RUSTING, EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM. FOR ME, THE CONSEQUENCES WERE INCONVENIENCE AND FINANCIAL LOSS. OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE, AND THAT IS WHY I BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION. MANY OTHERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED TO YOU REGARDING THIS SITUATION. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND DROVE IT HOME, AS I WAS 900 MILES AWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE THE OLD PART IN MY POSSESSION AND AM PROCEEDING TO REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE BRACKET AS A PRECAUTION. PLEASE ACT ON THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10232957

Incident: June 24, 2008 · Filed: July 1, 2008

THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID BRAKE FLUID IS BELOW MINIMAL CHECK . I CHECKED AND ADDED BRAKE FLUID. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CONTACTED ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS/ASR HYDRAULIC UNIT WAS LEAKING. UPON RESEARCHING I CAME UPON SOME INFORMATION THAT IS RELATED TO MY SITUATION. THE COST TO REPLACE THE SYSTEM WAS 2048.30, THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE E-CLASS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHERE THE VEHICLE IS USED AS A TAXI CAB. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THIS SITUATION HAD NEVER OCCURRED. MY VEHICLE IS A 1999 -E 300 DW WITH 167,755 MILES I HAVE HAD ALL SERVICES DONE BY AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERS. I AM REGISTERING THIS COMPLAINT BASED ON A LETTER DATED APRIL 30, 2004 FROM MERCEDES-BENZ USA. PART 579 FOREIGN DEFECT REPORT . *TR

Power Train

ODI #10232188

Incident: May 11, 2008 · Filed: June 24, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ 300E. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR, SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. SHE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF SHE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE; HOWEVER, THE GRINDING NOISE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE MECHANIC AND THEN TO DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FULL OF SHAVINGS AND TO INSTALL A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT FLUID CHECKS AND CHANGES FOR TRANSMISSION WERE NOT REQUIRED AS THE DIPSTICK WAS OMITTED. IN 2005 THE DEALER GAVE HER DOCUMENT S100.20-P-0022A WHICH INDICATED THAT FLUID CHECKS AND CHANGES WERE REQUIRED. HER CONCERN WAS THAT SHE WAS NOT UPDATED WITH THE NEW DOCUMENT WHICH MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10198500

Incident: August 4, 2007 · Filed: August 4, 2007

ENGINE FAILURE DURING NORMAL DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IN MY 1999 MERCEDES E300 TURBO DIESEL. BOTH IN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND DEALER IN FT. MYERS CAN NOT FIND AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND TRAFFIC HAZARD. *TR

Fuel System, Other; Equipment

ODI #10143726

Incident: November 23, 2005 · Filed: November 27, 2005

FUEL LINE LEAKS X4. 1999 MERCEDES 300 TD. STARTING IN FEB. 03 FIRST FUEL LINE LEAK. CAR WOULD NOT START TOWED TO DEALER. FUEL LINE REPLACED. TWICE AGAIN IN MARCH OF 03, FUEL LINE LEAKS. REPAIRED BY DEALER. NOV.23 05, CAR CAME TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. FUEL LINE LEAK DIAGNOSED. ALL FUEL LINES AND CUT OFF SWITCH REPLACED. PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10044990

Crash

Incident: October 21, 2003 · Filed: October 29, 2003

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 72 MPH CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF LIKE A JET. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE JUMPED THE MEDIAN ON THE HIGHWAY, DAMAGING THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Other Mercedes Benz E 300 model years

Check your 1999 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