1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 10%of 83 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320, 10% of the 83 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 4 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.
“8/31/18 in motion on a city street, the cabin filled with smoke (from a fire but no flame was seen) I had to open all windows to breath and see. My home was within sight so I drove to the middle of my lawn away from any building, the key would not turn, the car would not shut down. I as quickly as posable disconnected the battery to shut down.”
NHTSA complaint #11133310, filed 2018-10, 175,000 miles“Crank position sensor (cps) started to fail when the outside temperature was above 95f. Car (1999 mercedes benz E320) failed to start twice when parked after driving for a short distance. Only after cooling it would start again. At one point the engine became very erratic while in traffic. At another point I was stopped on the traffic light and the engine just stopped running. Fortunately I was near home and after waiting a few minutes it started again. It was embarrassing to say the least , having a mb car stall in front of other much cheaper cars on the traffic light. …”
NHTSA complaint #10163861, filed 2006-07, 64,000 miles“1999 Mercedes-Benz e320t, 60k miles - crankshaft harmonic balancer (damper pulley) failed. Advised by mechanic to replace immediately, so as to avoid loss of multi ribbed-v-belt and concurrent loss of power steering, alternator and water pump function.”
NHTSA complaint #10060198, filed 2004-03, 60,530 miles“Transmission would not shift out of first gear, the ABS lights on and the asr, fuse no 2 on the k40 module was blown and there were also codes indicating that no power was going to the asr hydraulic unit. There was no signal from the left rear wheel speed sensor and there was a malfunction in the transmission gear speed sensor. The technician discovered a wiring harness located underneath the power brake booster had shorted with the body of the vehicle and created a small fire that burned and destroyed the insulating material through approx. 7 inches of the harness. …”
NHTSA complaint #10367668, filed 2010-11, 107,000 miles“The contact owned a 1999 mercedes benz e-320. While driving approximately 70 MPH the air bags deployed. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Smoke was coming from the vehicle and it was towed to an insurance company lot where it was declared destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 112,000. Updated 02/23/11 the consumer stated an investigator concluded something happened within the electrical system, but was unable to say specifically what it was. Updated 02/28/11”
NHTSA complaint #10376485, filed 2011-01, 112,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10186142Dec 9, 2020Unmotivated Reaction from Park Assist - model series 213 facelift / 238 facelift with option code 235 (active par- king assist) and option code 501 (surround view system)
- 10179951Jul 20, 2020AIRMATIC Fault Message "Max 80 km/ h (50 mph) " In Instrument Cluster
- 10033070Dec 16, 2009Xentry (mercedes): engine warning lamp is currently on or was on and a delay fault of the camshaft adjust to current or stored in the engine control unit. Models 171, 203, 209…
- 10028686May 6, 2009Mercedes: air matic visit workshop displayed within instrument cluster. Models 164, 211, 219, 221 and 251. Included 4matic, amg (compressor) amg, bluetec and wagon. Model years…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2007 | 2 | 12% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2005 | 16 | 7% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 21 | 10% |
| 2002 | 4 | 17% |
| 2001 | 13 | 34% |
| 2000 | 8 | 18% |
| 1999 | 8 | 10% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 5 | 8% |
| 1996 | 12 | 27% |
| 1995 | 89 | 93% |
| 1994 | 7 | 64% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320
18 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320
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