Most common 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz M Class complaints by model year
Best M Class years: 2008, 2007, 1998. Years to avoid: 2000, 2006. Compare all years →
1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls (4)
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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…
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.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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.
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).
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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.
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.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class:
Power steering hose leak
Mercedes-Benz USA (mbusa) will notify certain model year (my) 1998 through 2003 m-class owners of the need to bring their vehicles into dealers to address the issue previously campaigned under mbusa recall 2003-040005 (NHTSA recall 03v-121).the mbusa campaign, which odi is designating recall 08v-465, will replace the power steering cooler hose and clamp in all vehicles that received the original recall remedy for…
Engine crankshaft pulley failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure that could result in loss of power-steering assist.odi has received a total of 546 non-duplicative reports that allege engine crankshaft pulley harmonic balancer failure on all Mercedes-Benz vehicles using the subject component.the subject component failures…
Brake line chafe
Analysis of complaints to odi and Mercedes and warranty claim data submitted by Mercedes indicates that the alleged defect has occurred at a low rate (36.5 complaints per 100,000 vehicles and 0.29 percent warranty claim rate), with no discernable defect trend indicating that the rate of chafing related brake line failures is increasing.there have been no new complaints since January 2009.when the analysis is limited…
What 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class owners say
Steering
I have problems with my check engine light from and faulty oxygen sensor, the car was repaired under warranty. Then I had a hose disconnect and lost power steering prior to the recall on the hose cloamp and I paid the towing and repairs myself. Now I have had a major mechanical problem and on August 5th, my car lost power steering, air conditioning, the battery light came on and then my car began overheating. Apparently the crankshaft broke and it shredded one of the major belts, which damaged the oil pan and water pump. I immediately pulled over and had the car towed 20 miles to the dealer. The bill is going to be $3000. I saw a similar complaint on the NHTSA web site. I am concerned that other consumers May have similar problems and May not be able to pull over safely, not to mention the cost of repairs.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Mercedes Benz ml320. While driving approximately 40 MPH on normal road conditions, the power steering failed without warning. Immediately, the driver exerted more effort to turn the steering wheel. There was also excessive power steering fluid leaking. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they discovered NHTSA campaign id number 03V121000 (steering;hydraulic power assist;hose, piping, and connections). The vehicle was repaired for the recall. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. The vehicle is in the process of being taken to an independent mechanic for a second opinion. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 127,000.
Engine & cooling
I was driving across the verrazano narrows bridge from brooklyn to staten island. Just past the tolls, my harmonic balancer failed, causing the serpentine belt to sizes and stopping the engine. Consequently, I lost steering and braking became very hard. I was more-or-less pointing to an shoulder/embankment between the main highway and the exit immediately past the tolls. I coasted to that embankment and used its slope in part to help stop the vehicle. I was subsequently towed to ray catena Mercedes in edison, nj. I was informed by the service advisor there (mr. Hessert) that this failure was part of a "campaign" and that it would be repaired along with any collateral damage "for free" by Mercedes. I asked "since when" was this campaign in effect, they stated since April of 2005. I asked why I was not notified of this as I am the registered owner. …
I have problems with my check engine light from and faulty oxygen sensor, the car was repaired under warranty. Then I had a hose disconnect and lost power steering prior to the recall on the hose cloamp and I paid the towing and repairs myself. Now I have had a major mechanical problem and on August 5th, my car lost power steering, air conditioning, the battery light came on and then my car began overheating. Apparently the crankshaft broke and it shredded one of the major belts, which damaged the oil pan and water pump. I immediately pulled over and had the car towed 20 miles to the dealer. The bill is going to be $3000. I saw a similar complaint on the NHTSA web site. I am concerned that other consumers May have similar problems and May not be able to pull over safely, not to mention the cost of repairs.
Seat belts
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 will cause serious injuries in a crash or hard stop, Mercedes is not offering any warranty or replacement I was kicked out of the dealer when I complained, they said they will call the police on me.
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
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 M Class rates average: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the M Class 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 M Class?
The steering — 6 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and seat belts (3).
How many recalls does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class, the most recent from March 31, 2011 (cruise control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2007 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000 and 2006. See the full Mercedes-Benz M Class years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 14% 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.