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1999 Mercedes Benz E320

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Mercedes Benz E320 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 42.5.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
83Owner complaints

Model-year median: 42.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1999 Mercedes Benz E320

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 83 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 2 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 18 reports
  • Air Bags: 17 reports
  • Power Train: 11 reports
  • Suspension: 10 reports
  • Electrical System: 8 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    45
    1996    63
    1997    37
    1998    83
    1999    44
    2000    38
    2001    23
    2002
    Compare all E320 years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Engine And Engine Cooling
    18    Air Bags
    17    Power Train
    11    Suspension
    10    Electrical System
    8
    All reported categories
    Visibility
    6    Structure
    5    Tires
    5    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    4    Steering
    4    Exterior Lighting
    3    Fuel System, Gasoline
    3    Fuel/propulsion System
    3    Vehicle Speed Control
    3    Unknown Or Other
    2    Equipment
    1    Latches/locks/linkages
    1    Service Brakes
    1    Wheels
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    51 reports with mileage · 32 unknown

    NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

    What to inspect

    Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Air Bags. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    12 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

    Structure complaints

    5 reports
    Clear category filter
    190,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
    Structure

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE APPEARED TO BE LOWERED. AFTER TAKING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL OFF THE C…

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE APPEARED TO BE LOWERED. AFTER TAKING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL OFF THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND THE SUSPENSION WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10615387

    127,000 miles · Mar 16, 2011
    Structure

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR THE BRAKES WHEN HE WAS INFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE SPRING PERCH ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE R…

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR THE BRAKES WHEN HE WAS INFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE SPRING PERCH ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RUST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10390374

    115,000 miles · May 8, 2009
    StructureSuspension

    AFTER TURNING INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A REPAIR SHOP, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THAT THE FRONT SPRING PERCH HAD FAILED. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10268229

    Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2002
    Structure

    TAILGATE DOOR CRASHED/ CAME DOWN ON HEAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER,AND THEY STATED THAT HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS FAILED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

    NHTSA ODI #8013433

    Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
    Structure

    THE MERCEDES E320 HAS NO WARNING LIGHTS TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER WHEN A DOOR IS OPEN. THE DOORS ARE DIFFICULT TO CLOSE PROPERLY, ESPECIALLY BY A CHILD GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS I HAVE DRIVEN WITH A DOOR NOT FULLY CLOSED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. I THINK THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITNG TO HAPPEN. I…

    Read full complaint

    THE MERCEDES E320 HAS NO WARNING LIGHTS TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER WHEN A DOOR IS OPEN. THE DOORS ARE DIFFICULT TO CLOSE PROPERLY, ESPECIALLY BY A CHILD GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS I HAVE DRIVEN WITH A DOOR NOT FULLY CLOSED WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. I THINK THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITNG TO HAPPEN. I WOULD APPRECIATE A REPLY ON THIS ISSUE. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #752879

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    2

    PE07021 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Ejection

    Opened Apr 19, 2007 · Closed Aug 9, 2007

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

    ODI HAS FOCUSED THIS INVESTIGATION ON ASSESSING THE RISKS POSED BY A SEPARATED SPRING AS (1) A ROAD HAZARD AND (2) THE POTENTIAL FOR VEHICLE CONTROL TO BE COMPROMISED AFTER THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BEEN EJECTED FROM ITS INTENDED POSITION IN THE VEHICLE.BOTH RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH CORROSION, FLEXING, AND FRACTURE OF THE UPPER FRONT SUSPENSION MOUNTING BRACKET.TIME-IN-SERVICE FAILURE RATES ARE NOTABLY HIGHER IN SALT BELT STATES SINCE CORROSION IS A PRIMARY CONTRIBUTOR TO THE FAILURE MODE.SINCE A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, ODI IS SKEPTICAL THAT OWNERS CAN ALWAYS DETECT THE SUBTLE SIDE TO SIDE DIFFERENCE IN RIDE HEIGHT AND/OR INSPECT OR NOTICE THAT THE UPPER SUSPENSION BRACKET HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY CORROSION.(1) ROAD HAZARD - ALTHOUGH THE (APPROX. 7 LB.) FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING THAT MAY BE EJECTED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD POSE A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES, THE OCCURRENCE RATE HAS BEEN LOW (.03% BASED ON 51 REPORTED INCIDENTS OCCURRING AND AN INITIAL POPULATION OF 172,781 VEHICLES AFTER 9 - 12 YEARS OF USE / EXPOSURE) AND THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES, FATALITIES, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE REPORTS DUE TO AN EJECTED SPRING.ALSO, MANY OF THE 51 INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR PARKED.(2) VEHICLE CONTROL - VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE FRACTURE OF THE UPPER SUSPENSION MOUNT AND/OR THE ASSOCIATED SPRING EJECTION.ODI FIRST IDENTIFIED ITS CONCERN ABOUT CORROSION IN THE UPPER SUSPENSION BRACKET OF SUBJECT VEHICLES IN 2002, AT WHICH TIME MERCEDES PROVIDED A VIDEO THAT SHOWED THAT A VEHICLE COULD BE STEERED, STOPPED, AND CONTROLLED THROUGH VARIOUS MANEUVERS AT HIGH SPEEDS WITH A FRONT COIL SPRING COMPLETELY MISSING FROM THE VEHICLE. DURING PE07-021, IN ADDITION TO REVIEWING THE 2002 VIDEO-TAPE, ODI ENGINEERS DROVE AN EXEMPLAR VEHICLE WITH THE SPRING REMOVED AND SIMULATED VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF STEERING ANGLES TO ASSESS WHETHER THERE WERE ANY POSSIBLE CONDITIONS / DISPLACEMENTS IN WHICH THE SEPARATED SPRING MIGHT INTERFERE WITH THE WHEELS. IN A VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT SPRING REMOVED, THE TOP OF THE WHEEL CAN LIGHTLY CONTACT THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE WHEEL FENDER DURING HIGH ANGLE TURNS TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH SLOWER SPEED MANEUVERS SUCH AS CITY DRIVING. THE LIGHT TIRE CONTACT GENERATED AN OBVIOUS GRINDING NOISE AND WOULD LIKELY ABRADE OR BEND THE EDGE OF THE FENDER WITH CONTINUED USE.HOWEVER, THE EXTENT OF THE INTERFERENCE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO AFFECT VEHICLE STEERING AND DOES NOT OCCUR AT SMALLER TURNING ANGLES ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHWAY DRIVING.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.

    PE03058 · Engine Crankshaft Pulley Failure

    Opened Dec 17, 2003 · Closed Apr 22, 2004

    Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

    THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT).THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.