1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,050miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class. The part named most often is steering, with 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and electrical system (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,050 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the hose, piping, and connections, 1 NHTSA investigation and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering6 33%
- Engine cooling4 22%
- Electrical system3 17%
- Seat belts3 17%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Brakes1 5.6%
- Equipment1 5.6%
- Tires1 5.6%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “Power steering hose clamps. Based on published comments by individuals on various internet chat groups for this truck regarding hydraulic fluid leaks and failures of the power steering hose, I check my hoses and found that the lower hose was about to come off. The clamp, which was loose, was retightened.”
NHTSA complaint #10007841, filed 2003-02, 115,000 milesEngine cooling: “My 1999 ml 320's engine recently (27 and 29 sept 05) instantaneously stalled without warning while driving-no check engine light, just died in the middle of the road!. Good wx, no rain, dry, daytime. It restarted after 5 mins. Traffic went around me. Ml is well maintained,vehicle has 117k miles. Mechanic could not duplicate (no codes). Fuel pump checked ok. At my request, the mech changed out the crankshaft position sensor (cps) on 30 sept. Cost to repair $251.96. Ml320 has run fine so far (7oct). I feel that this sudden engine failure (cps) while driving is a significant safety issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139067, filed 2005-10, 117,574 milesElectrical system: “My 1999 mercedes ml320 stalled in traffic on the interstate. I had it towed to the dealer who replaced the crankshaft position sensor which showed a marginal problem. We picked up the car and brought to the attention of the manager that the check engine was illuminated. He said that was because there were some plugs misfiring, but that would have no bearing on the car stalling. The next day, the car stalled in traffic and was again towed to the dealer. They can find nothing wrong with the car and say it runs like a top. …”
NHTSA complaint #10360111, filed 2010-10, 70,650 milesSeat belts: “Transmission failed, repaired four times, electrical system, battery failed, replaced, oz sensor failed replace 3 times, fuel system pump and sensor replaced, front passenger restraint system failed”
NHTSA complaint #9001677, filed 2000-07Mileage when problems were reported
14% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,650 and 117,574 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V208000Mar 31, 2011Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1999–2003
Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake…
- 08V465000Sep 17, 2008Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–2004
Mercedes-benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- 03V121000Mar 27, 2003Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–2003
On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- 99V328000Nov 22, 1999Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–1999
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The latching mechanism on the seat belt assembly was not assembled correctly. If the plastic cover is loose during the engagement of the buckle tongue to the latch mechanism, the buckle could unlatch.
Recall details for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10051989Feb 15, 2013Steering. Mercedes: see document search button for owner letter. The lower power steering hose and clamp should be replace, under extended warranty, due to power steering leakage from connection to power…
- 10016685May 16, 2005Electrical system. Esp lamp illuminated.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 | 4,481 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 10 | 24,334 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 5 | 50,450 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | 45,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 25 | 75,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 18 | 100,050 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 5 | 67,700 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz M Class model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Mercedes-Benz M Class reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,050 miles and the middle half falls between 70,650 and 117,574 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.