Most common 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class problems
Share of the 9 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz S Class complaints by model year
Best S Class years: 1996, 1995, 1999. Years to avoid: 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003. Compare all years →
What 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class owners say
Air bags
The SRS light on the dash indicates a potental air bag malfunction. The dealer confirms the SRS module has failed on my 1999 Mercedes s320 making the air bags inoperable. Country of origin Germany manufacturer Mercedes-Benz model s320w 4dr sedan 5 passenger the quoted cost for repair is $620.00 for the SRS module and a further $182.00 labor. The total repair cost of over $800 is exorbitant and preys on the public need for saftey. Has there been a NHTSA recall or a manufacturer technical service bulletin? Verbal oververtures to mb and the dealer have failed to find relief, and a letter to merecedes Benz has gone unanswered. Updated ivoq. 02/05/10
Airbags in 1999 s500 Mercedes failed to deploy in frontal collision with a utility pole at speed estimated between 15-25 MPH. Driver was wearing his seat belt.
1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 20 / 16 |
| 6.0L 12-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 17 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class a good car?
Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 S Class rates better than average: 67% fewer complaints than a typical year of the S Class at the same age. It is one of the best S Class years by this measure. 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 S Class?
The air bags — 3 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › sensor/control module. Next are the seat belts (2) and suspension (2).
How many recalls does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz S Class?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 1995 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 2002, 2001 and 2003. See the full Mercedes-Benz S Class years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 103,000 miles; 0% 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.