Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
121,000 miles · Sep 3, 2020
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ S420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL AND VACUUM SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXITED THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ S420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL AND VACUUM SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF DANBURY (100 FEDERAL RD, DANBURY, CT 06810) AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE WHERE THE DEALER HAD REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP WITH A USED PUMP HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT VEHICLE TRUNK OPENED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE SECURELY SHUT. THE CONTACT TAPED THE TRUNK SHUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #11352984
70,000 miles · Aug 31, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Seat Belts
THE AREA THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEEPS MELTING I HAVE REPLACED THEM TWICE , SEAT BELTS LAG AND DOT WORK I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH STABILIZATION
NHTSA ODI #11020717
30,000 miles · Dec 8, 2007
Electrical System
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS ALMOST TOTALLY FAILED CREATING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. THE DEALER STATED VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM ARE BEING RECALLED. HOW DO I RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211214
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS BROADSIDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT STATED EXACTLY WHERE VEHICLE WAS HIT, SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND CONSUMER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES.*JB
NHTSA ODI #562887
Official recalls
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1999 Mercedes Benz S420 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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