NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Mercedes Benz E Class Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Mercedes Benz E Class has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 13 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Mercedes Benz E Class. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1999 Mercedes Benz E Class owner complaints

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Mercedes Benz E Class, describing incidents dated August 20, 2004 to December 7, 2013.

Most-cited components

Suspension 9 complaints
Structure 4 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10555666 · Filed December 11, 2013
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON A LOCAL EXCURSION OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LINED UP STRAIT. TOWARD THE END OF THE TRIP, I NOTED WHAT SEEMED LIKE STEERING IRREGULARITIES, THEN A RUBBING/ WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AFTER DARK, I…
ODI #10417172 · Filed August 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E55. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN…
ODI #10285830 · Filed September 30, 2009
SPRING PERCH BROKE OFF DUE TO RUST .THE FRONT OF THE CAR FELL DOWN ON TO THE WHEEL AND WAS UNDRIVABLE. *TR

Read all 13 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Mercedes Benz E Class in 2 investigations. 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
Preliminary Evaluation PE03-058: ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
Closed April 22, 2004

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

MERCEDES-BENZ/WINDOW AIR BAG

NHTSA #98V256000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 14, 1998 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 4,163 vehicles

Owners notified November 20, 1998 · Vehicles built July 1, 1998 – August 31, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A WRONG CLAMP MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE WINDOW AIR BAG UNITS.

Safety consequence

THE WINDOW AIR BAG MAY NOT FULLY DEPLOY IN A SIDE-IMPACT COLLISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDOW AIR BAG UNITS AND, IF THE WRONG OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED CLAMP IS FOUND, THE ENTIRE UNIT WILL BE REPLACED.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 20, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372). ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Mercedes Benz E Class. 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 Class.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #10555666

Incident: December 7, 2013 · Filed: December 11, 2013

WHILE DRIVING CAR ON A LOCAL EXCURSION OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LINED UP STRAIT. TOWARD THE END OF THE TRIP, I NOTED WHAT SEEMED LIKE STEERING IRREGULARITIES, THEN A RUBBING/ WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AFTER DARK, I COULD SMELL HOT RUBBER. ALSO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE NEXT MORNING, I REMOVED MY FRONT LEFT TIRE TO INSPECT THE AREA. I FOUND THE END OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CRACKED OPEN FROM THE BOTTOM AND BENT UPWARD. THE CONTROL ARM IS HOLLOW AND APPEARED TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WHICH APPARENTLY CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS BENT INWARD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. DURING MY TRAVELS, I HAD NOT HIT ANY BUMPS TO CAUSE SUCH DAMAGE. HAD THIS BROKEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL VERY LUCKY. AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH, I FOUND TWO OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THIS MODEL MERCEDES. ALSO, MY INDEPENDENT MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP HAS SEEN THIS FAILURE BEFORE. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10417172

Incident: August 4, 2011 · Filed: August 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E55. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER SPRING PERCH FRACTURED, WHICH RESULTED IN A SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Structure

ODI #10285830

Incident: August 9, 2009 · Filed: September 30, 2009

SPRING PERCH BROKE OFF DUE TO RUST .THE FRONT OF THE CAR FELL DOWN ON TO THE WHEEL AND WAS UNDRIVABLE. *TR

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10281915

Incident: August 19, 2009 · Filed: August 27, 2009

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. VEHICLE HAS 90,000 MILES, HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN THE WINTER, AND THE ONLY RUST ON THE VEHICLE IS WHERE THE SPRING PERCH TORE AWAY FROM THE FRAME RAIL. THE REST OF THE CAR, BODY AND UNDERCARRIAGE, IS RUST FREE. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND WAS OFFERED NO HELP, AND STRONGLY DISCOURAGED AGAINST THERE BEING ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE DONE FOR ME, AS IF THEY WERE READING A SCRIPT RELATING TO THE AGE OF THE CAR AND LOCATION/CLIMATE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MB USA, WHO IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE CLAIM. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10268830

Incident: June 15, 2007 · Filed: May 15, 2009

FRONT SPRING SUPPORT FAILED ON 2000 MERCEDES E300 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COIL SPRING WAS EJECTED AND COULD HAVE PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A RUST AT THE WELD POINTS FOR THE UPPER CONSTRAINT FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRING. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10243255

Incident: April 27, 2008 · Filed: September 23, 2008

ON APRIL 27, 2008 MY CAR'S FRONT LEFT SIDE SPRING FAILED WHEN DRIVING BACK HOME AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE PERCH RIPPED OFF, IT SOUNDS LIKE MY WHEEL CAME OFF. THE STEERING WAS JAMMED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THE SPRING ON THE PAVEMENT. ON MAY 3, 2008 I DROVE TO NEAREST AUTO SHOP WHICH IS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND PAID $80 FOR AN INITIAL CHECK UP AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THE SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY AND BROKE. I COMPLAINED WITH MERCEDES BENZ USA AND I DID NOT GET ANY ANSWER FROM THEM. IT'S BEEN IN MY GARAGE FOR FIVE MONTHS. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10227187

Incident: April 27, 2008 · Filed: May 9, 2008

ON APRIL 27 2008 MY CAR'S FRONT LEFT SIDE SPRING PERCH FAILED WHEN DRIVING HOME AT A SPEED OF 30MPH. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE PERCH RIPPED OFF, IT SOUNDED LIKE MY WHEEL CAME OFF. THE STEERING WAS JAMMED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THE SPRING ON THE PAVEMENT. IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME. ON MAY 3, I DROVE TO THE NEAREST AUTO SHOP WHICH IS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND PAID $80 FOR AN INITIAL CHECK UP AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THE SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY AND BROKE. I HAVE HAD 4 MERCEDES SO FAR, 1984 300D, 1987 SEL 420, 1991 300D AND THIS 1999 E300D. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SPRING PERCHES WITH THE 3 OLDER MODELS BUT, THIS 1999 E300D HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS 1999 E300D WILL BE THE LAST MERCEDES I WILL EVER OWN. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10201527

Incident: August 27, 2007 · Filed: August 29, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS. ON AUGUST 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE DECELERATED AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HOOD APPEARED LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A COIL SPRING ROLLING ACROSS THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT SPRING PERCH MOUNT WAS RUSTED AND SHEARED OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Structure

ODI #10177494

Filed: December 26, 2006

1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E-300 AND E-430 ANTI-NOISE CAPSULE FELL OFF***CC SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LEAPED INTO THE AIR WITH A LOUD BANG. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY THEN MOVED SLOWLY OFF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION THE CONSUMER SAW THAT NONE OF THE TIRES HAD BLOWN OUT BUT THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE SAME PART CAME OFF THE CONSUMER E430 TEN DAYS AGO. ON THE E430 MODEL THE PART IS CALLED A COOLING PAN. *NM

Fuel System, Other

ODI #10166196

Incident: August 20, 2004 · Filed: August 22, 2006

1999 MERCEDES BENZ E300 TURBO DIESEL OVERFLOW FUEL LINES CRACKS AND LEAKS. FUEL DRIPS TO GARAGE FLOOR, CREATING DANGEROUS FUEL/AIR MIXTURE IN AN ENCLOSED ENVIRONMENT. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER SERVICE SAID THIS IS COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS CAR, BECAUSE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD AND THE OVERFLOW FUEL LINES ARE MADE OF RUBBER AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. COST OF REPLACEMENT ABOUT $1,000.00. *NM

Other Mercedes Benz E Class model years

Check your 1999 Mercedes Benz E Class VIN

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

Check a Mercedes Benz VIN