Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 1998 Mercedes Benz E300 with NHTSA between 1998 and 2023.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 49
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz E300. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
53.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 compares with every other Mercedes Benz E300
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Mercedes Benz E300
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
430.8%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 85,611 mi
Lights
215.4%
Suspension
215.4%
Median failure at 200,000 miles
Seat Belts
17.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 106,223 mi
Wheels
17.7%
Tires
17.7%
Fuel & Propulsion
17.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 106,223 mi
Steering
17.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
360.0%
150,000+ miles
120.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1998peak 3Nov 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Mercedes Benz E300
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE07021Opened 19 Apr 2007Closed 9 Aug 2007SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTION
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 OWN...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 65,000 milesGulf Breeze, FLCrash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE EASTBOUND INTERSTATE 10 IN GULFPORT, MS IN A LIGHT RAIN ( IT HAD BEEN HEAVY 2 HOURS BEFORE ) WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 65 MPH. I HAD JUST COME OVER THE LORRAINE COWEN (SPELLING?) EXIT AND A LITTLE AFTER THE CAR WAS ON THE FLAT ROAD, THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING SPUN 180 DEGREES AND WE WERE BACKWARD ON THE INTERSTATE. SEEING THE TRACKS ON THE SHOULDER THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR CAME OFF THE INTERSTATE BACKWARDS AT ABOUT A 15 TO 20 DEGREE ANGLE, SPUN ANOTHER 270 DEGREES AT THE LOWER EXTENT OF THE CLEARED EMBANKMENT, AND WENT INTO THE WOODS. IT MIRACULOUSLY MISSED ALL LARGE TREES AND THE 3 PASSENGERS SUSTAINED NO INJURIES AT ALL. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS THERE WAS NO SEVERE IMPACT, THE MOST SEVERE AREA OF IMPACT DAMAGE BEING SOMEWHILE IN THE RIDE HITTING THE LEFT REAR DOOR AREA MORE SEVERELY, AS THE LARGEST DENT WAS THERE. THE SPIN-OUT WAS NOT PROCEEDED BY ANY HYDROPLANING FROM THE FRONT END. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF POOLED WATER ON THE ROAD AT THAT POINT. I WAS COMPLETELY BAFFLED AT WHY WHEN GOING ABSOLUTELY STRAIGHT, WITH NO BRAKE OR WHEEL MOVEMENTS AND NOT ENCOUNTERING NOTABLE WATER, THE CAR SHOULD SUDDENLY SPIN. AFTER THINKING ABOUT THIS, I THEORIZE THAT THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED GOING DOWNHILL FROM THE ELEVATED OVERPASS OF THE ROAD CROSSING THE INTERSTATE. THE AREA OF SPIN OUT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH WHEN THE SLOWING CAR WOULD HAVE AGAIN GOTTEN POWER FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR WAS AN E300 TURBODIESEL AND IT ON ACCELERATION FROM STARTING HAS ALWAYS HAD A TURBO LAG WITH A VERY NOTICEABLE BURST OF POWER WHEN THE TURBO COMES IN. IT IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER DIESELS I HAVE HAD IN THAT IT DELIVERS CONSIDERABLE TORQUE--243 FT.LB.@ 2600 RPM. I HYPOTHESIZE THAT THE SUDDEN APPLICATION OF TORQUE ON THE WET ROAD THREW THE REAR END AROUND. IF THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN OTHER CASES, AT THE LEAST, A WARNING TO NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE RAIN SHOULD BE PUT OUT. I HAVE GIVEN UP CRUISE CONTROL FOR GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10081309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,223 milesEuclid, OHCrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN CRASH, RESULTING FROM OIL INTO INTAKE FROM SEAL ON TURBO CHARGER. CAR HAD BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED 5 DAYS PRIOR, WITH ERROR MESSAGE ON AIR MASS SENSOR. PART WAS REPLACED. THIS ERROR MESSAGE ALSO OCCURRED 15 MONTHS BEFORE, AND WAS ALSO REPLACED THEN. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMAL PRIOR TO BOTH SERVICING. NO ENGINE INDICATOR WARNINGS EVER CAME ON PRIOR TO CRASH. SEAT BELT APPARATUS ALSO BROKE UPON IMPACT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN MY HEAD STRUCK IT.
NHTSA complaint #10060517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,223 milesEuclid, OHCrash2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN CRASH, RESULTING FROM OIL INTO INTAKE FROM SEAL ON TURBO CHARGER. CAR HAD BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED 5 DAYS PRIOR, WITH ERROR MESSAGE ON AIR MASS SENSOR. PART WAS REPLACED. THIS ERROR MESSAGE ALSO OCCURRED 15 MONTHS BEFORE, AND WAS ALSO REPLACED THEN. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMAL PRIOR TO BOTH SERVICING. NO ENGINE INDICATOR WARNINGS EVER CAME ON PRIOR TO CRASH. SEAT BELT APPARATUS ALSO BROKE UPON IMPACT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN MY HEAD STRUCK IT.
NHTSA complaint #10060517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,223 milesEuclid, OHCrash2 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN CRASH, RESULTING FROM OIL INTO INTAKE FROM SEAL ON TURBO CHARGER. CAR HAD BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED 5 DAYS PRIOR, WITH ERROR MESSAGE ON AIR MASS SENSOR. PART WAS REPLACED. THIS ERROR MESSAGE ALSO OCCURRED 15 MONTHS BEFORE, AND WAS ALSO REPLACED THEN. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMAL PRIOR TO BOTH SERVICING. NO ENGINE INDICATOR WARNINGS EVER CAME ON PRIOR TO CRASH. SEAT BELT APPARATUS ALSO BROKE UPON IMPACT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN MY HEAD STRUCK IT.
NHTSA complaint #10060517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Pleasant Hill, OR
WHEELS
The front driver side coil spring ejected out while driving, causing the front of the car to dive down on the driver side. I do have the parts that came out. Luckily I had just got off of the freeway and was only going around 10 mph when it happened and no one was hurt. I'm sure at hwy speeds you could potentially lose control. This issue just happened today 11/19/23 and no repair shops, insurance or agencies have been notified. This is the first report of my problem. There were no warning signs noticed prior to the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11555921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pleasant Hill, OR
STEERING
The front driver side coil spring ejected out while driving, causing the front of the car to dive down on the driver side. I do have the parts that came out. Luckily I had just got off of the freeway and was only going around 10 mph when it happened and no one was hurt. I'm sure at hwy speeds you could potentially lose control. This issue just happened today 11/19/23 and no repair shops, insurance or agencies have been notified. This is the first report of my problem. There were no warning signs noticed prior to the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11555921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pleasant Hill, OR
SUSPENSION
The front driver side coil spring ejected out while driving, causing the front of the car to dive down on the driver side. I do have the parts that came out. Luckily I had just got off of the freeway and was only going around 10 mph when it happened and no one was hurt. I'm sure at hwy speeds you could potentially lose control. This issue just happened today 11/19/23 and no repair shops, insurance or agencies have been notified. This is the first report of my problem. There were no warning signs noticed prior to the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11555921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesRhododendron, OR
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCEDES BENZ 300E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE TOP FRONT SPRING MOUNT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10513726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesGulf Breeze, FLCrash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE EASTBOUND INTERSTATE 10 IN GULFPORT, MS IN A LIGHT RAIN ( IT HAD BEEN HEAVY 2 HOURS BEFORE ) WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 65 MPH. I HAD JUST COME OVER THE LORRAINE COWEN (SPELLING?) EXIT AND A LITTLE AFTER THE CAR WAS ON THE FLAT ROAD, THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING SPUN 180 DEGREES AND WE WERE BACKWARD ON THE INTERSTATE. SEEING THE TRACKS ON THE SHOULDER THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR CAME OFF THE INTERSTATE BACKWARDS AT ABOUT A 15 TO 20 DEGREE ANGLE, SPUN ANOTHER 270 DEGREES AT THE LOWER EXTENT OF THE CLEARED EMBANKMENT, AND WENT INTO THE WOODS. IT MIRACULOUSLY MISSED ALL LARGE TREES AND THE 3 PASSENGERS SUSTAINED NO INJURIES AT ALL. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS THERE WAS NO SEVERE IMPACT, THE MOST SEVERE AREA OF IMPACT DAMAGE BEING SOMEWHILE IN THE RIDE HITTING THE LEFT REAR DOOR AREA MORE SEVERELY, AS THE LARGEST DENT WAS THERE. THE SPIN-OUT WAS NOT PROCEEDED BY ANY HYDROPLANING FROM THE FRONT END. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF POOLED WATER ON THE ROAD AT THAT POINT. I WAS COMPLETELY BAFFLED AT WHY WHEN GOING ABSOLUTELY STRAIGHT, WITH NO BRAKE OR WHEEL MOVEMENTS AND NOT ENCOUNTERING NOTABLE WATER, THE CAR SHOULD SUDDENLY SPIN. AFTER THINKING ABOUT THIS, I THEORIZE THAT THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED GOING DOWNHILL FROM THE ELEVATED OVERPASS OF THE ROAD CROSSING THE INTERSTATE. THE AREA OF SPIN OUT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH WHEN THE SLOWING CAR WOULD HAVE AGAIN GOTTEN POWER FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR WAS AN E300 TURBODIESEL AND IT ON ACCELERATION FROM STARTING HAS ALWAYS HAD A TURBO LAG WITH A VERY NOTICEABLE BURST OF POWER WHEN THE TURBO COMES IN. IT IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER DIESELS I HAVE HAD IN THAT IT DELIVERS CONSIDERABLE TORQUE--243 FT.LB.@ 2600 RPM. I HYPOTHESIZE THAT THE SUDDEN APPLICATION OF TORQUE ON THE WET ROAD THREW THE REAR END AROUND. IF THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN OTHER CASES, AT THE LEAST, A WARNING TO NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE RAIN SHOULD BE PUT OUT. I HAVE GIVEN UP CRUISE CONTROL FOR GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10081309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dedham, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE A SUGGESTIVE REMEDY, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10071820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,223 milesEuclid, OHCrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN CRASH, RESULTING FROM OIL INTO INTAKE FROM SEAL ON TURBO CHARGER. CAR HAD BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED 5 DAYS PRIOR, WITH ERROR MESSAGE ON AIR MASS SENSOR. PART WAS REPLACED. THIS ERROR MESSAGE ALSO OCCURRED 15 MONTHS BEFORE, AND WAS ALSO REPLACED THEN. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMAL PRIOR TO BOTH SERVICING. NO ENGINE INDICATOR WARNINGS EVER CAME ON PRIOR TO CRASH. SEAT BELT APPARATUS ALSO BROKE UPON IMPACT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN MY HEAD STRUCK IT.
NHTSA complaint #10060517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,223 milesEuclid, OHCrash2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN CRASH, RESULTING FROM OIL INTO INTAKE FROM SEAL ON TURBO CHARGER. CAR HAD BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED 5 DAYS PRIOR, WITH ERROR MESSAGE ON AIR MASS SENSOR. PART WAS REPLACED. THIS ERROR MESSAGE ALSO OCCURRED 15 MONTHS BEFORE, AND WAS ALSO REPLACED THEN. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMAL PRIOR TO BOTH SERVICING. NO ENGINE INDICATOR WARNINGS EVER CAME ON PRIOR TO CRASH. SEAT BELT APPARATUS ALSO BROKE UPON IMPACT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN MY HEAD STRUCK IT.
NHTSA complaint #10060517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,223 milesEuclid, OHCrash2 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN CRASH, RESULTING FROM OIL INTO INTAKE FROM SEAL ON TURBO CHARGER. CAR HAD BEEN ROUTINELY SERVICED 5 DAYS PRIOR, WITH ERROR MESSAGE ON AIR MASS SENSOR. PART WAS REPLACED. THIS ERROR MESSAGE ALSO OCCURRED 15 MONTHS BEFORE, AND WAS ALSO REPLACED THEN. CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMAL PRIOR TO BOTH SERVICING. NO ENGINE INDICATOR WARNINGS EVER CAME ON PRIOR TO CRASH. SEAT BELT APPARATUS ALSO BROKE UPON IMPACT ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN MY HEAD STRUCK IT.
NHTSA complaint #10060517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. CHECKED OIL AND DIPSTICK WAS DRY. CONSUMER ADDED ADDITIONAL OIL AND VEHICLE STARTED. RECHECKED OIL AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERFILLED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE "SHUT-OFF VALVE". DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IF CAR IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE THE OIL AND FUEL WILL DRAIN TO AN AREA OUTSIDE OF "SHUT OFF VALVE" MAKING THE CAR "THINK" IT HAS NO OIL OR FUEL. CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PROBLEM DOES EXIST. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doylestown, PA
TIRES
TIRE ON LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE BLEW OUT. TIRE WAS LESS THEN ONE YEAR OLD AND HAD ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT. MICHELIN INSISTED IT WAS A ROAD HAZARD EVEN THOUGH TIRE WAS LEFT REAR. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/55R-16)
NHTSA complaint #757925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CERTAIN NEW MERCEDES HAVE HEADLIGHTS WITH A BLUE TINT WHICH CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHTNESS AND GLARE.
NHTSA complaint #528917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CERTAIN NEW MERCEDES HAVE HEADLIGHTS WITH A BLUE TINT WHICH CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE OF THE BRIGHTNESS AND GLARE.
NHTSA complaint #528916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.