1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 vs 1999 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1999 Mercedes-Benz E320 | 1999 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 83 | 664 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 32 | 122 |
| Investigations | 2 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 12 | 11 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 13 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21 | 19–24 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 88,500 mi | 75,089 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mercedes-Benz E320 | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 184 |
| Suspension | 10 | 118 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 18 | 86 |
| Steering | 4 | 76 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 58 |
| Power Train | 11 | 29 |
| Air Bags | 17 | 21 |
| Visibility | 6 | 32 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 5 | 40 |
| Rust / corrosion | 5 | 9 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 17 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 17 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 13 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 10 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 9 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 8 |
1999 Mercedes-Benz E320
1999 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Mercedes-Benz E320 vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.