1999 Mercedes Benz 320: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006345 · 2000-08-17 (August 17, 2000)
THE LOCKS WILL RATCHET UP AND DOWN WHEN AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO USE REMOTE LOCKING DEVICE. THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN 2 LOCKS REPLACED ON THIS UNIT IN THE PREVIOUS SIX -EIGHT MONTHS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT DAIMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH SAME, BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE LOCK REMAINS IN THE LOCKING POSITION AFTER IT COMPLETES A NUMBER OF CYCLES AND MUST BE LOCKED MANUALLY. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT DAIMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LOCKS ON THIS PARTICULAR UNIT AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 16,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006345 at NHTSA ↗
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 10024651 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE USES A QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE WILL BURN OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026631 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
PER CONSUMER VEHICLE IS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL WHILE DRIVING , ESPECIALLY ON LONG TRIPS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026631 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 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 10055363 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SMOKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THEN TWO MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055363 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.