VehicleVerdict

1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

28

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other M-Class years?

M-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted32 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 28 complaints2000: 32 complaints2001: 9 complaints2002: 5 complaints2003: 12 complaints2004: 0 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints
M-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all M-Class years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering621%
Electrical System518%
Transmission414%
Engine414%
Seat Belts414%
Fuel System27%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Tires & Wheels14%
Brakes14%

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

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V208000Speed ControlMarch 31, 2011 · 136,751 units

Defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2002 M-CLASS AND MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 M-CLASS AMG VEHICLES. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, INCLUDING TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO REACH A CERTAIN RATE OF DECELERATION. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AS EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER, ALTHOUGH THE OTHER MEANS OF DEACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL REMAIN FULLY OPERATIVE. SPECIFICALLY, WHERE THE DRIVER PUMPS THE BRAKES RATHER THAN APPLYING CONSISTENT PEDAL FORCE, THE LEVEL OF FORCE REQUIRED MAY BE UNUSUALLY HIGH.

Consequence

DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

08V465000SteeringSeptember 17, 2008 · 125,228 units

Defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 125,228 MY 1998-2004 M-CLASS VEHICLES. THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION (PLEASE SEE 03V121). SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THROUGH INSPECTION TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED, ALL VEHICLES REPAIRED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2003, WILL BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

03V121000SteeringMarch 27, 2003 · 211,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2003. 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.

99V328000Seat BeltsNovember 22, 1999 · 85,970 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LATCHING MECHANISM ON THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY. IF THE PLASTIC COVER IS LOOSE DURING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE BUCKLE TONGUE TO THE LATCH MECHANISM, THE BUCKLE COULD UNLATCH.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES. IF EITHER THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMPS. BASED ON PUBLISHED COMMENTS BY INDIVIDUALS ON VARIOUS INTERNET CHAT GROUPS FOR THIS TRUCK REGARDING HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKS AND FAILURES OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE, I CHECK MY HOSES AND FOUND THAT THE LOWER HOSE WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF. THE CLAMP, WHICH WAS LOOSE, WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 1, 2002

“TRANSMISSION FAILED, REPAIRED FOUR TIMES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BATTERY FAILED, REPLACED, OZ SENSOR FAILED REPLACE 3 TIMES, FUEL SYSTEM PUMP AND SENSOR REPLACED, FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 13, 1998

“1999 ML 320 BEGAN JERKING ON MEDIUM GRADES. JERKING WAS REPORTED TO KNOXVILLE TN. MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP. THEY REPORTED THE TRANSFER CASE IS FAILING. THEY INDICATED THAT TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TRANSFER CASE FAILURE ON AN ML 320. I HAD THE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED AT A COST OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 6, 2009

“NHTSA CAMPAIGN 99V328000. SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL. SEAT BELT BUCKLE EVEN AFTER THE RECALL INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT IS DEFECTIVE, THE CONNECTION IN BETWEEN METAL SPRING AND PLASTIC IS UNSAFE AND UNSAFE, IT IS MADE OUT OF CHEAP PLASTIC, EVENTUALLY PLASTIC WILL FAIL AND SEAT BELT WILL UNLATCH. IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 29, 2010

“TRANSMISSION FAILED, REPAIRED FOUR TIMES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BATTERY FAILED, REPLACED, OZ SENSOR FAILED REPLACE 3 TIMES, FUEL SYSTEM PUMP AND SENSOR REPLACED, FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 13, 1998

1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class — common questions

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 M-Class problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (6 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), seat belts (4 complaints).

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

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-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 M-Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the M-Class years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among M-Class years belongs to 2004.

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.