Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 1999 Mercedes Benz E300 with NHTSA between 1999 and 2016.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 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 — 56
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz E300. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 19
11% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1999 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 1999 Mercedes Benz E300
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
426.7%
Median failure at 135,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
213.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 23,000 mi
Brakes
213.3%
Median failure at 167,755 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
213.3%
Median failure at 115,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
Median failure at 40,470 miles
Lights
16.7%
Airbags
16.7%
Median failure at 45,000 miles
Electrical System
16.7%
Engine & Cooling
16.7%
Median failure at 109,315 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
111.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
222.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
444.4%
150,000+ miles
222.2%
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.
Sep 1999peak 2Jun 2016
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 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 23,000 milesMarco Island, FLCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 72 MPH CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF LIKE A JET. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE JUMPED THE MEDIAN ON THE HIGHWAY, DAMAGING THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10044990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 135,000 milesLynnfield, MA
SUSPENSION
THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING PERCH FAILED DUE TO RUST WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO DROP TO THE GROUND ON THAT SIDE. THE COIL SPRING FELL OUT AND ROLLED DOWN THE STREET. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A WELDER AND FIXED THE PERCH. THIS LUCKILY HAPPENED ON A LOW SPEED ROAD, WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER WITH A BOTTOMED OUT SUSPENSION. THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING STRAIT DURING THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10874486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,273 milesLynnfield, MA
SUSPENSION
MY FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM SHEARED OFF JUST AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RIPPED OFF. I WAS TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH MINUTES BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE. THE STEERING DID FEEL STRANGE ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE. THIS EVEN RESULTED IN THE FRONT WHEEL DISCONNECTING FROM THE CAR COMPLETELY. A QUICK EXAMINATION OF THE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE CONTROL ARM SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF AT THE WELD OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE CONTROL ARM SHEARED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE, BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE HAD 129,273 MILES ON IT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E300 TURBODIESEL.
NHTSA complaint #10874484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ruston, LA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE WIRING INSULATION INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HAS DEGRADED AND CRUMBLED LEAVING ONLY THE BARE COPPER WIRE SHOWING. THESE WIRES HAVE SHORTED GOING OVER BUMPS CAUSING A LOSS OF LIGHT TO OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #10671712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ruston, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WIRING INSULATION INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HAS DEGRADED AND CRUMBLED LEAVING ONLY THE BARE COPPER WIRE SHOWING. THESE WIRES HAVE SHORTED GOING OVER BUMPS CAUSING A LOSS OF LIGHT TO OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #10671712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Laurel, NJ
SUSPENSION
1999 MERCEDES BENZ E-300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUSPENSION COLLAPSE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. HE AND HIS WIFE HEARD A FEW LOUD THUDS, A FEW SECONDS APART AS SOME THINGS STRUCK THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED THE TIRE AND EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, HE COULD SEE THE LEFT FRONT SPRING PERCH WAS RIPPED LOOSE WHERE THE SPOT WELDING WAS WEAKENED BY RUST. HE COULD ALSO SEE THAT THE SPRING, TOGETHER WITH ANY RELATED HARDWARE, WAS MISSING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SEALING MATERIAL WAS NOT CAPABLE OF KEEPING WATER OUT OF THE SPOT WELD AREA. INSTEAD, MOISTURE WAS RETAINED IN THE SPOT WELD AREA, ALLOWING RUST TO FORM. THE RUST EVENTUALLY BROKE THE SPOT WELD. WHEN THE SPOT WELD FAILED, THE SPRING NO LONGER SUPPORTED THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. JB
NHTSA complaint #10597179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesSequim, WA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1999 MERCEDES BENZ E300TD FAULTY UPPER COIL SPRING SUPPORT DESIGN. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHEN THE LEFT UPPER SPRING MOUNT SIMPLY COLLAPSED. THE CAR DROPPED DOWN AND THE COIL SPRING FELL OFF.IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AS IT WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE. MOMENTS EARLIER I HAD BEEN AT 70 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY.I FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR WOULD BE FILING THIS REPORT. I DID NOTHING UNUSUAL TO CAUSE THIS EVENT.THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 151,000 MILES ON IT AND THESE VEHICLES ARE CLAIMED TO BE ABLE TO LAST FOR 400-500,000 MILES. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VINTAGE OF MERCEDES VEHICLES. LOOKING AT THE DESIGN, THE MATERIAL HAS NO CORROSION ALLOWANCE FOR A PART THAT IS LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT IS SUBJECT TO A DAMP ENVIRONMENT. IT IS EXTREMELY THIN AND THE METHOD OF ATTACHMENT ENCOURAGES RUSTING, EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM. FOR ME, THE CONSEQUENCES WERE INCONVENIENCE AND FINANCIAL LOSS. OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE, AND THAT IS WHY I BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION. MANY OTHERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED TO YOU REGARDING THIS SITUATION. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND DROVE IT HOME, AS I WAS 900 MILES AWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE THE OLD PART IN MY POSSESSION AND AM PROCEEDING TO REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE BRACKET AS A PRECAUTION. PLEASE ACT ON THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10421040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,755 milesConyers, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID BRAKE FLUID IS BELOW MINIMAL CHECK . I CHECKED AND ADDED BRAKE FLUID. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CONTACTED ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS/ASR HYDRAULIC UNIT WAS LEAKING. UPON RESEARCHING I CAME UPON SOME INFORMATION THAT IS RELATED TO MY SITUATION. THE COST TO REPLACE THE SYSTEM WAS 2048.30, THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE E-CLASS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHERE THE VEHICLE IS USED AS A TAXI CAB. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THIS SITUATION HAD NEVER OCCURRED. MY VEHICLE IS A 1999 -E 300 DW WITH 167,755 MILES I HAVE HAD ALL SERVICES DONE BY AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERS. I AM REGISTERING THIS COMPLAINT BASED ON A LETTER DATED APRIL 30, 2004 FROM MERCEDES-BENZ USA. PART 579 FOREIGN DEFECT REPORT .
NHTSA complaint #10232957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesLaguna Niguel, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ 300E. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR, SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. SHE PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF SHE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE; HOWEVER, THE GRINDING NOISE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE MECHANIC AND THEN TO DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FULL OF SHAVINGS AND TO INSTALL A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT FLUID CHECKS AND CHANGES FOR TRANSMISSION WERE NOT REQUIRED AS THE DIPSTICK WAS OMITTED. IN 2005 THE DEALER GAVE HER DOCUMENT S100.20-P-0022A WHICH INDICATED THAT FLUID CHECKS AND CHANGES WERE REQUIRED. HER CONCERN WAS THAT SHE WAS NOT UPDATED WITH THE NEW DOCUMENT WHICH MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #10232188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,315 milesCape Coral, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
ENGINE FAILURE DURING NORMAL DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IN MY 1999 MERCEDES E300 TURBO DIESEL. BOTH IN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND DEALER IN FT. MYERS CAN NOT FIND AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND TRAFFIC HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10198500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,470 milesPotomac, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LINE LEAKS X4. 1999 MERCEDES 300 TD. STARTING IN FEB. 03 FIRST FUEL LINE LEAK. CAR WOULD NOT START TOWED TO DEALER. FUEL LINE REPLACED. TWICE AGAIN IN MARCH OF 03, FUEL LINE LEAKS. REPAIRED BY DEALER. NOV.23 05, CAR CAME TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. FUEL LINE LEAK DIAGNOSED. ALL FUEL LINES AND CUT OFF SWITCH REPLACED. PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10143726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesMarco Island, FLCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 72 MPH CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF LIKE A JET. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE JUMPED THE MEDIAN ON THE HIGHWAY, DAMAGING THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10044990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesGlen Cove, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND SHUT THE DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10034423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EXITING THE FREEWAY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WITH BRAKES APPLIED, ABS SYSTEM WAS LOCKING & UNLOCKING, AND TIRES WERE SPINNING ON WET PAVEMENT. CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGED. WITH COLLISION IMMINENT, DRIVER MOVED GEAR SELECTOR TO NEUTRAL, ENGINE THEN RACED TO TACHOMETER RED-LINE, AND STAYED THERE. DRIVER TURNED ENGINE OFF, WAITED SEVERAL SECONDS AND RESTARTED ENGINE. VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED NORMALLY SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #745838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
EXITING THE FREEWAY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WITH BRAKES APPLIED, ABS SYSTEM WAS LOCKING & UNLOCKING, AND TIRES WERE SPINNING ON WET PAVEMENT. CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGED. WITH COLLISION IMMINENT, DRIVER MOVED GEAR SELECTOR TO NEUTRAL, ENGINE THEN RACED TO TACHOMETER RED-LINE, AND STAYED THERE. DRIVER TURNED ENGINE OFF, WAITED SEVERAL SECONDS AND RESTARTED ENGINE. VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED NORMALLY SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #745838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulf Breeze, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE CAR VIBRATES IN DECELARATION AT ABOUT 40MPH, MANUFACTURER IS AWARE BUT DOES NOT REPAIR DO TO LOW NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #712004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.