1999 Mercedes Benz E300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
115,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Suspension: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2001: 1; 2003: 2; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10232957 · 2008-07-01 (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 OC…
Owner-reported narrative. 167,755 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 745838 · 2001-05-24 (May 24, 2001)
EXITING THE FREEWAY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WITH BRAKES APPLIED, ABS SYSTEM WAS LOCKING & UNLOCKING, AND TIRES WERE SPINNING ON WET PAVEMENT. CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGED. WITH COLLISION IMMINENT, DRIVER MOVED GEAR SELECTOR TO NEUTRAL, ENGINE THEN RACED TO TACHOMETER RED-LINE, AND STAYED THERE. DRIVER TURNED ENGINE OFF, WAITED SEVERAL SECONDS AND RESTARTED ENGINE. VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED NORMALLY SINCE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745838 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232188 · 2008-06-24 (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 TRANSMISSIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671712 · 2015-01-12 (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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10671712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10874484 · 2016-06-15 (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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 129,273 miles reported. Look up ODI 10874484 at NHTSA ↗