1998 Mercedes Benz M Class Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other M Class years
- Not enough data 5th of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mercedes Benz M Class. That ranks 5th out of 11 M Class model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (2 complaints, 40%), typically at around 37,400 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
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- 5owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Mercedes Benz M Class problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 40% | 37,400 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 40% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 20% | 67,700 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 20% | 37,400 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Mercedes Benz M Class recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Problem: 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.
Risk: The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump. This could result in a loss of control and a crash without warning.
Fix: An earlier recall repair performed on these vehicles may not be sufficient to prevent a future leakage or failure of the power steering hose connection (please see 03v121). Since it is not possible through inspection to identify specific vehicles that may not have been properly repaired, all vehicles repaired prior to november 15, 2003, will be repaired again. The recall is expected to begin during november 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Problem: 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.
Risk: The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump.
Fix: Dealers will install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose to the power steering cooler. During clamp replacement, the power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary. Owner notification began june 16, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Seat belts:front:anchorage
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt buckles. If either the driver or front passenger seat belt buckle is found to be defective, it will be replaced.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The certification label on these vehicles fail to comply with the labeling requirements of part 567, "certification."
Risk: The rear gross axle weight rating was listed as 3257 lb. Instead of 3527 lb. And the tire size was listed as 276 rather than 275. A consumer could incorrectly inflate the tires or improperly load the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will send a representative to the owner's home and remove the non-compliance label and replace this with a label which is in compliance.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Power steering hose leak (RQ08002) — opened Mar 11, 2008, closed Sep 17, 2008, led to recall 08V465000.
- Engine crankshaft pulley failure (PE03058) — opened Dec 17, 2003, closed Apr 22, 2004.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
While pulling into a parking spot in a shopping center and going about 5 miles per hour, suddenly the accelerator went to the floor and i crashed into 2 cars. Luckily, i was not hurt and the damage to the 3 cars was slight bumper damage. I called the police and made a report. I brought it to the…
No power steering while driving which is hard to steer that might cause into an accident. The harmonic balancer failed. *ak
The crankshaft harmonic balancer pulley of my mercedes ml 320 gave out on me while i was driving. The belt started to burn. I called the mercedes benz dealer in honolulu, hi and the service manager, dan told me that there was no recall on the pulley to date and that i should bring my ml 320 in to…
On december 29th while traveling with my family on i-77 north in virginia the metal sunroof wind deflector on my 1998 mercedes ml320 completely and without warning broke off and flew into the path of several automobiles. A major traffic accident was narrowly avoided. My ml320 is well maintained and…
Rear door lock failed. Yh
Other Mercedes Benz M Class years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 M Class | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 M Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2007 M Class | 2 | 2 |
| 2006 M Class | 14 | 2 |
| 2004 M Class | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 M Class | 10 | 3 |
| 2002 M Class | 5 | 5 |
| 2001 M Class | 5 | 4 |
| 2000 M Class | 25 | 5 |
| 1999 M Class | 18 | 4 |
| 1998 | 5 | 4 |
See all Mercedes Benz M Class problems by year, every Mercedes Benz model, or the Mercedes Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercedes Benz M Class?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, structure, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Mercedes Benz M Class?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Mercedes Benz M Class a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other M Class model years, the 1998 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.