1999 Mercedes-Benz 320 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 23%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz 320, 23% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While in park, the battery exploded which also caused the air bag to deploy. While parked, the right side front passenger airbag deployed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they found that the hoppecke battery under the rear seat was cracked and broken and setting in a pool of acid which accounted for the acid smell at the time of the air bag deployment. The incident caused damage to the interior.”
NHTSA complaint #10022524, filed 2003-06, 24,000 miles“Ref: owners manual, trailer towing pgs 96-99. Benz refuses to help resolve problem! Factory wiring has provided +12v (hot) to the brake controller wire when ever brake pedal is depressed (orange brake signal wire pg98). Conventional (after market brake controllers work by modulating this line voltage - this is why I cannot connect a brake controller. The vehicle is wired wrong. If an owner of a ml320 plugs a trailer with electric brakes to the factory installed harness plug - the trailer brakes overheat rapidly. I have tried repeatedly to get benz to investigate - they say owner's problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #706072, filed 1999-04“Attempted to start the car. The battery exploded. There was an exyremely loud noise and the car was jarred. The battery is located under the rear seat. This is where the infant seats are located because this is where my grand children are required to ride. Fortunately, they were not in the car at the time. Emergency road service replaced the battery.”
NHTSA complaint #10116733, filed 2005-04“Vehicle stalls when vehicle hits bumps in the road. Dealer was notified. Dealer inspected the vehicle, informing owner to not put any keys in the ignition. Consumer request for more information regarding this subject.”
NHTSA complaint #843257, filed 1999-09“Vehcle receives 0 fuel pressure due to a failed fuel pump. Also, the starter relay intermittently misreads the key code. Vehicle is currently at the dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #838856, filed 1999-06Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 | 27% |
| 2001 | 6 | 35% |
| 2000 | 3 | 18% |
| 1999 | 7 | 23% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 16% |
| 1996 | 3 | 21% |
| 1995 | 16 | 55% |
| 1994 | 42 | 86% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz 320
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz 320
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology