MERCEDES-BENZ 320 · model year

1999 MERCEDES-BENZ 320

45 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999MERCEDES-BENZ320 carries 45 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 320 is electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery with 3 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (2) and electrical system:wiring (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 1999 320. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

45
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

45 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING2
SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
AIR BAGS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS2
SUSPENSION2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1

Recent Complaints

20140309POWER TRAIN

THIS IS A CORRECTION TO THE SUBMISSION MADE EARLIER THIS MORNING. JUST LIKE THE GM CARS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING RECALLED, MY CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A LIMITED ACCESS ROAD. FORTUNATELY FOR MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE, AND THERE WAS A WIDE SHOULDER. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR, WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED. THE MECHANIC KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT WAS WRONG, AND THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED TO A MERCEDES HE REPAIRED THE WEEK BEFORE. *TR

Mileage: 59,463

20130816SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT NIGHT AT AROUND 50 MPH; THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND A SOUND OF METAL BEING THROWN AROUND UNDER THE CAR. THE SOUND CAME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THEN AFTER A LOUD THUMP THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY NOISE. THE CAR DIDN'T FEEL THE SAME AFTER THAT. AFTER PULLING OVER AND CHECKING THE PASSENGER SIDE, YOU COULD SEE THAT THE CAR WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND, THE WHEELS TOUCHED THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE NEXT MORNING AFTER JACKING THE CAR UP THE SPRING WAS NO LONGER IN THE CAR, AND THE ENTIRE UPPER ASSEMBLY OF THE SPRING SETUP WAS COMPLETELY TORN OFF. AFTER LOOKING CLOSE YOU SEE THAT THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF RUST WHERE THE METAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECTED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT AND WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THAT THE COIL SPRING PERCH WAS POORLY PROTECTED IN MY MODEL OF MERCEDES. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

20060306SUSPENSION

THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED TO MY 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320 SEDAN. THE "INCIDENT" INVOLVES THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING PERCH FAILURE. IF IT WERE NOT FOR AN INSPECTION RELATED TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, MY MECHANIC WAS SURE THAT A SERIOUS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GLEEN FROM MERCEDES BENZ OWNER WEBSITES, THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES AND YET MB HAS NOT ORDERED A RECALL. *NM

20060227EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THIS WAS DUE TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WITH THE TURN SIGNAL OR HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE USED. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

Mileage: 50,000

20050411ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR. THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THERE WAS AN EXYREMELY LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR WAS JARRED. THE BATTERY IS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THIS IS WHERE THE INFANT SEATS ARE LOCATED BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE MY GRAND CHILDREN ARE REQUIRED TO RIDE. FORTUNATELY, THEY WERE NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE REPLACED THE BATTERY.*AK

20050307STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE CLAMP OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE CAUSE HAS HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 91,448

20040308STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

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

Mileage: 55,000

20040120FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SMOKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THEN TWO MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

20040107ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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

Mileage: 51,236

20030902VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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

Mileage: 36,100

20030902STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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

Mileage: 36,100

20030707ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PER CONSUMER VEHICLE IS CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL WHILE DRIVING , ESPECIALLY ON LONG TRIPS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Mileage: 51,000

20030623ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE USES A QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE WILL BURN OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Mileage: 45,000

20030620ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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

Mileage: 24,000

20030429LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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 TO DO SO. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS THE VEHICLE IS TIED UP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS WITH EACH OCCURRENCE. **** DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****728303. *AK *JB

Mileage: 16,250

20030318ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE BATTERY AND AIR BAG EXPLODED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. (LAWYER, TREVOR GRIMM, ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *AK *JB

20030318AIR BAGS

THE BATTERY AND AIR BAG EXPLODED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. (LAWYER, TREVOR GRIMM, ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *AK *JB

20020722VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

LOSS OF CONTROL OF ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE RUNS TO 1000 RPM, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. *AK

20011101AIR BAGS

THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON CONTIUOUSLY;AIR BAGS NOT ON;9/26/01 THE DEALERSHIP ALLEGEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR $136.80; TWO DAYS LATER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTED; RETURNED AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD THAT A PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SAIRBAG(THE OTHER PROBLEM INVOLVED THE LEFT AIRBAG); ON OCT 18 RETURNED FOR THIRD TIME TO HAVE PROBLEM CORRECTED;THEY ALLEGEDLY HAVE FIXED PROBLEM, CHARGING ME $329.60 (THEY PAID FOR PART AFTER I COMPLAINED). I FEEL THIS WAS DEFECTIVE AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON AN $80,000. VEHICLE.MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD RESPONDIBLE. *AK

20001023POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

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

Compare 1999MERCEDES-BENZ320 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 have?
The 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 has 45 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ 320?
The most-complained component for the 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING.
Is the 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.