VehicleVerdict

1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other C-Class years?

C-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted64 complaints1991: 1 complaints1994: 19 complaints1995: 64 complaints1996: 10 complaints1997: 5 complaints1998: 7 complaints1999: 7 complaints2000: 13 complaints2001: 25 complaints2002: 46 complaints2003: 12 complaints2004: 20 complaints2005: 8 complaints2006: 12 complaints2008: 18 complaints2012: 2 complaints
C-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C-Class years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System343%
Airbags114%
Brakes114%
Engine114%
Suspension114%

Does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01V366000Electrical SystemDecember 4, 2001 · 65,731 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HOPPECKE BATTERIES. THE BATTERY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE COULD BE LESS THAN NEEDED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ELECTROLYTE LEVELS.

Consequence

THE LOW ELECTROLYTE LEVELS RESULT IN ACCELERATED BATTERY GRID GROWTH, INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR INTER-CELL RUPTURE AND SPARKING, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A BATTERY EXPLOSION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERIES, INCLUDING FLUID LEVELS. SOME BATTERIES MAY BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY, ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. IN ADDITION TO THE BATTERY INSPECTION, THE ADDITION OF LABELS IN THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WILL BE INCLUDED TO CONSPICUOUSLY REMIND OWNERS AS WELL AS DEALER AND SERVICE PERSONNEL OF THE NEED TO PERFORM BATTERY MAINTENANCE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL# 20012004 FOR HIS BATTERY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BROWN MERCEDES BENZ ROUTE 250 EAST PANTOPS CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA [PHONE]). MR JACKSON EXPERIENCE PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

“HAD THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WHEN BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE ON AN INCLINE. HAD LITTLE BRAKING POWER ON STRAIGHT AWAY. MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF BRAKE PROBLEM. THE DEALER/MECHANIC ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING WAS BEING DONE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 15, 1999

“SPRING PERCH (MOUNT) FOR THE FRONT SPRING ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING SPRING TO BE EJECTED UNDER THE CAR AND FENDER TO DROP ONTO TIRE. CORROSION IS UNDETECTABLE BY NORMAL INSPECTION BECAUSE MANUFACTURER USES A HEAVY, RUBBERIZED COATING ON UNDERBODY PARTS. CAR WAS TRAVELING AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 28, 2009

“I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES C43, I LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS ON OUR VEHICLES. THIS PART WHEN FAULTY WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START WHEN THE CAR IS WARM. WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME TO "COOL DOWN" THE CAR WILL START. I WAS AT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 23, 2006

1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class — common questions

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz C-Class years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C-Class years to avoid are 1995, 2002. The cleanest record among C-Class years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.