Mercedes Benz W163 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
60,001 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 50.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10246084 · 2008-10-20 (October 20, 2008)
I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE OTHERS WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL AND YES IT IS VERY TRUE THAT THIS CAR LOCKS UP THE BRAKES ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR REASON WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A CLEAR DRY DAY! MERCEDES WILL NOT AGREE WITH ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE DIES AND THEY ARE BROUGHT TO COURT. I HAD TO REMOVE MY YAW RATE SENSOR FROM THE CAR TO SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF SO THAT MY WIFE WAS SAFE. JUST TURNING OFF THE SYSTEM WILL NOT STOP IT FROM DOING THIS. DOES MERCEDES THINK EVERYONE JUST IMAGINES THIS HAPPENING TO THEM? ALL TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10494778 · 2013-01-26 (January 26, 2013)
THE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING FUEL ON TO THE GROUND WHEN CAR IS RUNNING I WAS READING SOME FORUMS AND MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND MERCEDES ISN'T HAVING THE PROBLEM FIXED AS IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE ANY FUTURE FUEL LEAKS DUE TO AGE I HAVE A 1990 MERCEDES R129 THAT HAS MORE MILES AND OLDER AND NEVER HAD A FUEL LEAK WHAT SO EVER... SO IM POINTING THE FINGER AT MERCEDES DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS CAR WAS POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILTER PLACEMENT AND FUEL PUMP SECURING AND SEALS.. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10494778 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
1999: 0; 2000: 0