Most common 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300 problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz E300 complaints by model year
Best E300 years: 1995. Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2019. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300:
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…
What 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300 owners say
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.
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.
1999 Mercedes-Benz E300 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 23 / 32 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300 a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 E300 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the E300 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300?
The suspension — 4 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (2) and speed control & acceleration (2).
How many recalls does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz E300?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2018 and 2019. See the full Mercedes-Benz E300 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Mercedes-Benz E300 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 115,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.