Total Complaints
20 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS · model year
20 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999MERCEDES-BENZE CLASS carries 20 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 E CLASS is suspension:front with 6 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (4) and suspension:front:springs:coil springs (3). 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 E CLASS. 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.
Total Complaints
20 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 4 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON A LOCAL EXCURSION OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LINED UP STRAIT. TOWARD THE END OF THE TRIP, I NOTED WHAT SEEMED LIKE STEERING IRREGULARITIES, THEN A RUBBING/ WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AFTER DARK, I COULD SMELL HOT RUBBER. ALSO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE NEXT MORNING, I REMOVED MY FRONT LEFT TIRE TO INSPECT THE AREA. I FOUND THE END OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CRACKED OPEN FROM THE BOTTOM AND BENT UPWARD. THE CONTROL ARM IS HOLLOW AND APPEARED TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WHICH APPARENTLY CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS BENT INWARD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. DURING MY TRAVELS, I HAD NOT HIT ANY BUMPS TO CAUSE SUCH DAMAGE. HAD THIS BROKEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL VERY LUCKY. AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH, I FOUND TWO OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THI
Mileage: 150,000
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON A LOCAL EXCURSION OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LINED UP STRAIT. TOWARD THE END OF THE TRIP, I NOTED WHAT SEEMED LIKE STEERING IRREGULARITIES, THEN A RUBBING/ WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AFTER DARK, I COULD SMELL HOT RUBBER. ALSO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE NEXT MORNING, I REMOVED MY FRONT LEFT TIRE TO INSPECT THE AREA. I FOUND THE END OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CRACKED OPEN FROM THE BOTTOM AND BENT UPWARD. THE CONTROL ARM IS HOLLOW AND APPEARED TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WHICH APPARENTLY CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS BENT INWARD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. DURING MY TRAVELS, I HAD NOT HIT ANY BUMPS TO CAUSE SUCH DAMAGE. HAD THIS BROKEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL VERY LUCKY. AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH, I FOUND TWO OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THI
Mileage: 150,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E55. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER SPRING PERCH FRACTURED, WHICH RESULTED IN A SEPARATION FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
SPRING PERCH BROKE OFF DUE TO RUST .THE FRONT OF THE CAR FELL DOWN ON TO THE WHEEL AND WAS UNDRIVABLE. *TR
Mileage: 104,303
I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG (W210). AFTER PARKING THE CAR WHILE GROCERY SHOPPING, I RETURNED AND FOUND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING AND TWO OTHER PARTS WERE FOUND LYING UNDER THE VEHICLE. I MOVED THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL BROKEN PARTS AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AT 15 MPH, MAKING ONLY VERY MINOR TURNS (FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE). UPON INSPECTION WITH THE WHEEL OFF, THE UPPER SPRING PERCH HAD BECOME ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME RAIL, SEVERED THE ABS SENSOR WIRE (WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL WARNING CODES RELATED TO THE ABS, BAS AND ESP BRAKING SYSTEMS), AND HAD ALSO CHIPPED THE INNER RIM OF THE WHEEL AND PUT A VERY LARGE SLASH NEAR THE BEAD OF THE TIRE. I HAD JUST INSPECTED THE PASSENGER SIDE THE WEEK PRIOR WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE, AND WITNESSED NO CORROSION/RUST WHATSOEVER. VEHICLE HAS 90,000 MILES, HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN THE WINTER, AND THE ONLY RUST ON THE VEHICLE IS
Mileage: 90,000
I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG (W210). AFTER PARKING THE CAR WHILE GROCERY SHOPPING, I RETURNED AND FOUND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING AND TWO OTHER PARTS WERE FOUND LYING UNDER THE VEHICLE. I MOVED THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL BROKEN PARTS AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AT 15 MPH, MAKING ONLY VERY MINOR TURNS (FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE). UPON INSPECTION WITH THE WHEEL OFF, THE UPPER SPRING PERCH HAD BECOME ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME RAIL, SEVERED THE ABS SENSOR WIRE (WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL WARNING CODES RELATED TO THE ABS, BAS AND ESP BRAKING SYSTEMS), AND HAD ALSO CHIPPED THE INNER RIM OF THE WHEEL AND PUT A VERY LARGE SLASH NEAR THE BEAD OF THE TIRE. I HAD JUST INSPECTED THE PASSENGER SIDE THE WEEK PRIOR WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE, AND WITNESSED NO CORROSION/RUST WHATSOEVER. VEHICLE HAS 90,000 MILES, HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN THE WINTER, AND THE ONLY RUST ON THE VEHICLE IS
Mileage: 90,000
FRONT SPRING SUPPORT FAILED ON 2000 MERCEDES E300 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COIL SPRING WAS EJECTED AND COULD HAVE PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A RUST AT THE WELD POINTS FOR THE UPPER CONSTRAINT FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRING. *TR
ON APRIL 27, 2008 MY CAR'S FRONT LEFT SIDE SPRING FAILED WHEN DRIVING BACK HOME AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE PERCH RIPPED OFF, IT SOUNDS LIKE MY WHEEL CAME OFF. THE STEERING WAS JAMMED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THE SPRING ON THE PAVEMENT. ON MAY 3, 2008 I DROVE TO NEAREST AUTO SHOP WHICH IS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND PAID $80 FOR AN INITIAL CHECK UP AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THE SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY AND BROKE. I COMPLAINED WITH MERCEDES BENZ USA AND I DID NOT GET ANY ANSWER FROM THEM. IT'S BEEN IN MY GARAGE FOR FIVE MONTHS. *TR
Mileage: 99,059
ON APRIL 27, 2008 MY CAR'S FRONT LEFT SIDE SPRING FAILED WHEN DRIVING BACK HOME AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE PERCH RIPPED OFF, IT SOUNDS LIKE MY WHEEL CAME OFF. THE STEERING WAS JAMMED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THE SPRING ON THE PAVEMENT. ON MAY 3, 2008 I DROVE TO NEAREST AUTO SHOP WHICH IS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND PAID $80 FOR AN INITIAL CHECK UP AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THE SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY AND BROKE. I COMPLAINED WITH MERCEDES BENZ USA AND I DID NOT GET ANY ANSWER FROM THEM. IT'S BEEN IN MY GARAGE FOR FIVE MONTHS. *TR
Mileage: 99,059
ON APRIL 27 2008 MY CAR'S FRONT LEFT SIDE SPRING PERCH FAILED WHEN DRIVING HOME AT A SPEED OF 30MPH. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE PERCH RIPPED OFF, IT SOUNDED LIKE MY WHEEL CAME OFF. THE STEERING WAS JAMMED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THE SPRING ON THE PAVEMENT. IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME. ON MAY 3, I DROVE TO THE NEAREST AUTO SHOP WHICH IS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY AND PAID $80 FOR AN INITIAL CHECK UP AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THE SPRING PERCH RUSTED AWAY AND BROKE. I HAVE HAD 4 MERCEDES SO FAR, 1984 300D, 1987 SEL 420, 1991 300D AND THIS 1999 E300D. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SPRING PERCHES WITH THE 3 OLDER MODELS BUT, THIS 1999 E300D HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS 1999 E300D WILL BE THE LAST MERCEDES I WILL EVER OWN. *TR
Mileage: 99,059
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS. ON AUGUST 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE DECELERATED AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HOOD APPEARED LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A COIL SPRING ROLLING ACROSS THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANYTHING THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT SPRING PERCH MOUNT WAS RUSTED AND SHEARED OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E-300 AND E-430 ANTI-NOISE CAPSULE FELL OFF***CC SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LEAPED INTO THE AIR WITH A LOUD BANG. THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY THEN MOVED SLOWLY OFF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION THE CONSUMER SAW THAT NONE OF THE TIRES HAD BLOWN OUT BUT THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE SAME PART CAME OFF THE CONSUMER E430 TEN DAYS AGO. ON THE E430 MODEL THE PART IS CALLED A COOLING PAN. *NM
1999 MERCEDES BENZ E300 TURBO DIESEL OVERFLOW FUEL LINES CRACKS AND LEAKS. FUEL DRIPS TO GARAGE FLOOR, CREATING DANGEROUS FUEL/AIR MIXTURE IN AN ENCLOSED ENVIRONMENT. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER SERVICE SAID THIS IS COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS CAR, BECAUSE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD AND THE OVERFLOW FUEL LINES ARE MADE OF RUBBER AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. COST OF REPLACEMENT ABOUT $1,000.00. *NM
PURCHASED A USED 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E300 TURBO DIESEL END OF FEB 2006 WITH 92,494 MILES FROM A JAGUAR/LAND ROVER DEALER. TRADED IN A 1985 MERCEDES BENZ 300 TURBO DIESEL. BROUGHT CAR TO THE MECHANIC THAT DOES ALL MY WORK TO HAVE ALL FLUIDS CHANGED AND THE CAR CHECKED. MECHANIC CALLED TO RECOMMEND I NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP WAS REPLACED. I VISITED THE MECHANIC AND VIEWED THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT HIS FINGER ON THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP HIS FINGER NAIL CHIPPED OFF FLAKES OF METAL IT WAS ENOUGH TO CONVINCE ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. MY CONCERN WAS THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WOULD COME OFF AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT INCLUDING POSSIBLE DEATHS IF THE SPRING CAP PARTED AND THE SPRING CAME OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I PAID MY MECHANIC TO INSTALL A NEW FRONT SPRING CAP TO PREVENT A FAILURE. I DID NOT BRING THIS TO THE JAGUAR/LAND ROVER'S DEALER OR MERCEDES BENZ'S ATTENTION BECAUSE TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE CAR WA
Mileage: 94,663
PURCHASED A USED 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E300 TURBO DIESEL END OF FEB 2006 WITH 92,494 MILES FROM A JAGUAR/LAND ROVER DEALER. TRADED IN A 1985 MERCEDES BENZ 300 TURBO DIESEL. BROUGHT CAR TO THE MECHANIC THAT DOES ALL MY WORK TO HAVE ALL FLUIDS CHANGED AND THE CAR CHECKED. MECHANIC CALLED TO RECOMMEND I NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP WAS REPLACED. I VISITED THE MECHANIC AND VIEWED THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT HIS FINGER ON THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CAP HIS FINGER NAIL CHIPPED OFF FLAKES OF METAL IT WAS ENOUGH TO CONVINCE ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. MY CONCERN WAS THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WOULD COME OFF AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT INCLUDING POSSIBLE DEATHS IF THE SPRING CAP PARTED AND THE SPRING CAME OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I PAID MY MECHANIC TO INSTALL A NEW FRONT SPRING CAP TO PREVENT A FAILURE. I DID NOT BRING THIS TO THE JAGUAR/LAND ROVER'S DEALER OR MERCEDES BENZ'S ATTENTION BECAUSE TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE CAR WA
Mileage: 94,663
FAIL OF SPRING PERCH ON 1999 MERCEDES E-CLASS DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING PROCESS POSSIBLE RESULTING IN FATAL INJURY. *JB
Mileage: 7,500
THE RADIO, TRANSMISSION, AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR WERE INOPERATIVE. THE AIR MASS SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKE LAMP HAD A FAULTY SWITCH, AND THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE DRIVE LINE. SCC *JB
THE RADIO, TRANSMISSION, AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR WERE INOPERATIVE. THE AIR MASS SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKE LAMP HAD A FAULTY SWITCH, AND THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE DRIVE LINE. SCC *JB
THE RADIO, TRANSMISSION, AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR WERE INOPERATIVE. THE AIR MASS SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKE LAMP HAD A FAULTY SWITCH, AND THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE DRIVE LINE. SCC *JB
THE RADIO, TRANSMISSION, AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR WERE INOPERATIVE. THE AIR MASS SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKE LAMP HAD A FAULTY SWITCH, AND THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE DRIVE LINE. SCC *JB
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.