1999 Mercedes Benz 320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
51,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 15.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 5; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010019 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
THE BATTERY AND AIR BAG EXPLODED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. (LAWYER, TREVOR GRIMM, ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022524 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
WHILE IN PARK, THE BATTERY EXPLODED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *MR WHILE PARKED, THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THAT THE HOPPECKE BATTERY UNDER THE REAR SEAT WAS CRACKED AND BROKEN AND SETTING IN A POOL OF ACID WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR THE ACID SMELL AT THE TIME OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE INCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038041 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED THAT THE FOUR WINDOW CLUSTERS FOR ALL THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE REPLACED TO GET THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO OPERATE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY ALL FOUR WINDOW CLUSTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED FROM THE HOSES/CLAMPS, AND CONNECTORS. THE LEAKS APPEARED MORE FREQUENTLY DURING THE WINTER SEASON WHICH CAUSED THE METAL TO EXPAND. THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 36,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060759 · 2004-03-08 (March 8, 2004)
THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FLIES OFF THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. I OWN A MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP. THERE HAVE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF FAILURES AND SOMEONE WILL DIE WHEN THEY LOSE THEIR STEERING.MERCEDES IS NOT COVERING THESE FAILURESOUT OF WARRANTY. IT AFFECTS ALL V-6 ENGINES FROM 96-2003 . CALL ANY DEALER PARTS DEPT. AND ASK HOW OFTEN THEY SELL ONE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 866395 · 2000-07-31 (July 31, 2000)
FUEL GUAGE DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECT LEVELS OF FUEL. DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT THREE TIMES WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK REAR SEATS CAN NOT BE UNLATCHED TO USE CARGO AREA AND TO RELOCK PROPERLY. EXTERIOR TRIM IS FALLING OFF THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE RATTLES FROM REAR. A/C DOES NOT COOL UNLESS THE RECIRCULATORY SYSTEM IS ON. SUN ROOF HAVE FOLLEN OUT. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND NOISY. THE LATCHING MECHANISM ON THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY DUE TO RECALL. THE OWNER NOTIFIED OFTHE RECALL AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 866395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 873637 · 2000-10-23 (October 23, 2000)
TRANSMISSION LEAKS OIL/GAS PEDAL IS VERY STIFF & HARD TO PRESS/ DOOR LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN USING REMOTE CONTROL/ REAR WASHER HOSE TO REAR WIPER HAD TO BE REPLACED/THERE IS NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AND DISC BACKING PLATE IS BENT AND BRAKE PEDAL IS STIFF WHEN TRYING TO STOP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 873637 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053593 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK *MR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,236 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857741 · 2000-03-01 (March 1, 2000)
ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857741 at NHTSA ↗