Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Structure2
- Steering1
- Power train1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 1998 M-Class vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class failed the safety check 1.96% of the time — 14% more often than the average 1998 passenger car (1.71%). Median odometer at inspection: 153,493 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
57 first registered in 1998 are on Dutch roads; 72% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen45
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm29
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde27
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld16
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling11
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm9
- Veer gebroken of gescheurd8
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
15 cars built in 1998 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 72 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE CERTIFICATION LABEL ON THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 612169 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF POOR AM / ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE ON AM. *TT |
| 605370 | SUBJECT REGARDING SRS CONTROL UNIT PROGRAMMING. *TT |
| 603617 | INFORMATION ON THIRD ROW SEAT KIT INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. *YC |
| 10051989 | 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 STEERING COOLER. MODELS 1998-2003 163.154, (ML320, 430, 55, 500, 350). *PE |
| 10016685 | ESP LAMP ILLUMINATED. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation