1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 22%of 83 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320, 22% of the 83 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just like the GM cars now being recalled, my car shut itself off completely while I was traveling at 60 MPH. It had to be towed to be repaired---and the diagnosis was made immediately, as the mechanic had done taken car of a car that had the identical problem just the week before. Parts replaced were l catalytic converter and air mass meter.”
NHTSA complaint #10568000, filed 2014-03, 57,901 miles“Crankshaft balancer failure- mercedes E320 1999 (from individual experiences of several mercedes customers with 320 v6 engine on w210 platform and others). Around 72000 miles, my vehicle crank shaft balancer pulley started sperating a thick black rubber ring, which is sandwiched between the cranksfat and the serpentine belt pulley on the outside, belt burning smell and clicking noise which quickly turned into a knocking noise recognized as I was driving at very low speed, luckily. …”
NHTSA complaint #10037113, filed 2003-09, 71,500 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“As I was accelerating onto the freeway, I heard a loud noise from my engine. I started losing power steering and my battery charger light kept flashing indicating a problem with the crankshaft pulley. Luckily I was able to get home safely. After safely driving home, I looked under the hood and noticed huge chunks of rubber parts inside. I took the car to the mercedes dealership the next day and was told that the harmonic balancer had been damaged. When the harmonic balancer was damaged, it in turn ruined the oil pan cover and the timing chain cover resulting in a $2500 repair bill. …”
NHTSA complaint #10088948, filed 2004-09, 56,989 miles“Engine just stops running/stalling after from 15 - 30 minutes of driving. Has happened twice midway through left turns. (scary!) can happen anytime and any speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10358245, filed 2010-09, 134,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10136031Jun 23, 2014Engine noises (rattling) after engine start
- 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…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2008 | 2 | 20% |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 17% |
| 2001 | 1 | 3% |
| 2000 | 4 | 9% |
| 1999 | 18 | 22% |
| 1998 | 8 | 22% |
| 1997 | 4 | 6% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
| 1995 | 8 | 8% |
| 1994 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 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 30, 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