1999 Mercedes Benz E320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
83 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 51 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 83 complaints (10.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 9.6% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 8.4% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 7.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 7.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Suspension:Front | 4 |
Air Bags: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Electrical System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Suspension: 4; Suspension:Front: 4
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 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 32 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2000: 3; 2001: 6; 2002: 9; 2003: 12; 2004: 13; 2005: 3; 2006: 5; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 8; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 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 10001680 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WIPER FLEW OFF WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009824 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING OIL STARTED TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. *NLM THE DEALER DIDN'T USE THE RECOMMENDED SYNTHETIC OIL AS STATED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011933 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011934 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015878 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM THE TRACTION CONTROLSYSTEM APPLIES TO THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS.*TS
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015878 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016036 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
THE ENGINE MAIN DRIVE PULLEY BROKE OFF RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON OPEN ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025546 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
DUNLOP SPORT A2 TIRES ------ HAD FLAT TIRE ------ DEALER NOTED EXCESSIVE TREADWEAR ON TIRE----- RECOOMMENDED REPLACEMENT-----COMPANY REFUSED----SAID I HAD TO WAIT TILL TREAD IS 3/32 ----TIRES HAVE 12 000 MILES----WITH 50 000 MILE WEAR OUT WARRANTY. *AK CURRENTLY 6/32 OF TREAD LEFT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032448 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
THE RUBBER INSERT IN THE PULLEY CRANKSHAFT EXPERIENCED A MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. *JB *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032448 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.