1999 Mercedes Benz E Class recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A WRONG CLAMP MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE WINDOW AIR BAG UNITS.
What could happen: THE WINDOW AIR BAG MAY NOT FULLY DEPLOY IN A SIDE-IMPACT COLLISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDOW AIR BAG UNITS AND, IF THE WRONG OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED CLAMP IS FOUND, THE ENTIRE UNIT WILL BE REPLACED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 E CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V256000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A WRONG CLAMP MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE WINDOW AIR BAG UNITS.
Consequence: THE WINDOW AIR BAG MAY NOT FULLY DEPLOY IN A SIDE-IMPACT COLLISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDOW AIR BAG UNITS AND, IF THE WRONG OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED CLAMP IS FOUND, THE ENTIRE UNIT WILL BE REPLACED.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 20, 1998. 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-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372). ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 1999 Mercedes Benz E Class owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (9), Body / structure (4), Steering (1), Fuel system (1), Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/11/2013 · Steering
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON A LOCAL EXCURSION OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LINED UP STRAIT. TOWARD THE END OF THE TRIP, I NOTED WHAT SEEMED LIKE STEERING IRREGULARITIES, THEN A RUBBING/ WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AFTER DARK, I COULD SMELL HOT RUBBER. ALSO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS HOT TO…
08/05/2011 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E55. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPE…
09/30/2009 · Body / structure
SPRING PERCH BROKE OFF DUE TO RUST .THE FRONT OF THE CAR FELL DOWN ON TO THE WHEEL AND WAS UNDRIVABLE. *TR
08/27/2009 · Suspension
I OWN A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG (W210). AFTER PARKING THE CAR WHILE GROCERY SHOPPING, I RETURNED AND FOUND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING AND TWO OTHER PARTS WERE FOUND LYING UNDER THE VEHICLE. I MOVED THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL BROKEN PARTS AND WAS ABLE TO…
05/15/2009 · Suspension
FRONT SPRING SUPPORT FAILED ON 2000 MERCEDES E300 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COIL SPRING WAS EJECTED AND COULD HAVE PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A RUST AT THE WELD POINTS FOR THE UPPER CONSTRAINT FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRING. *TR
09/23/2008 · Suspension
ON APRIL 27, 2008 MY CAR'S FRONT LEFT SIDE SPRING FAILED WHEN DRIVING BACK HOME AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE PERCH RIPPED OFF, IT SOUNDS LIKE MY WHEEL CAME OFF. THE STEERING WAS JAMMED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THE SPRING ON THE PAVEMENT. ON MAY 3, 20…
05/09/2008 · Suspension
ON APRIL 27 2008 MY CAR'S FRONT LEFT SIDE SPRING PERCH FAILED WHEN DRIVING HOME AT A SPEED OF 30MPH. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE PERCH RIPPED OFF, IT SOUNDED LIKE MY WHEEL CAME OFF. THE STEERING WAS JAMMED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND FOUND THE SPRING ON THE PAVEMENT. IT HAPPENED…
08/29/2007 · Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS. ON AUGUST 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE DECELERATED AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HOOD APPEARED LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A COIL SPRING ROLLING ACROSS THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. H…