Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2026), NHTSA has logged 242 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. That averages 6.0 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.15 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Luxury sedans segment it ranks #5 of 6 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 4.9.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models are within 3% of the 2018 and 2019 models (12 early complaints per model year versus 12).
The 2024 model year has the highest rate (9.3 complaints per year) and the 2020 model year the lowest (3.1). Model years 2020 and 2021 run at least 40% below this model's average of 6.0 complaints per year on the road.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (20.7% of complaints), followed by Engine (19.0%) and Unspecified or other (12.8%). 18 complaints (7.4%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 15 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 59 complaints versus 35 in the previous 12 months — up 69%. The 2024 model year generated the most recent reports (16). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 30 months of the model year's start.
No safety recall is on record for the tracked model years. No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Within its segment it has more complaints per year than Lexus ES, BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, but fewer than Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 68 | 7.7 | 0.19 | 8 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 54 | 6.9 | 0.17 | 7 | 0 | Electrical | View › |
| 2020 Fewest complaints | 21 | 3.1 | 0.08 | 4 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2021 | 20 | 3.5 | 0.09 | 4 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 23 | 4.8 | 0.12 | 6 | 0 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2023 | 24 | 6.3 | 0.16 | 8 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 26 | 9.3 | 0.23 | 16 | 0 | Electrical | View › |
| 2026 Too new to rank | 6 | 6.0 | 0.15 | 6 | 0 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
“Too new to rank”: under two years on the road, so the model year cannot be named the one with the fewest complaints yet. 1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 59 · Previous 12 months: 35 Rising
Problem areas
Electrical ›
50 · 20.7% · 1.31 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Engine ›
46 · 19.0% · 0.85 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Unspecified or other
31 · 12.8% · 1.43 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Transmission / powertrain
22 · 9.1% · 0.78 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Wheels, tires & suspension
20 · 8.3% · 3.3 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Airbags & seat belts
16 · 6.6% · 1.74 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Body & structure
15 · 6.2% · 0.68 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Driver-assist systems
11 · 4.5% · 0.79 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Fuel system
11 · 4.5% · 1.05 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Steering
9 · 3.7% · 0.58 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Brakes
8 · 3.3% · 0.55 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
2 · 0.8% · 0.53 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Other
1 · 0.4% · 0.22 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 30 months
What owners report
While traveling at highway speeds with adaptive cruise control safety systems engaged, the vehicle failed to detect a hazard immediately ahead in its lane.
As I was entering the vehicle and getting into my seat, my right ring finger became caught in the passenger-side window as it was closing.
I own a 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC, VIN [XXX], manufactured in XXX. I am requesting a formal safety review regarding NHTSA recall 26V073, involving potential high-voltage battery fires.
2022 Mercedes-Benz E350 with Driver Assistance Package. Two incidents of uncommanded automatic braking with no vehicle ahead and no debris on the road: (1) October 7, 2026, 4:30 AM — Active Brake Assist braked automatically on a clear road in dark conditions…
AC Compressor failed on a 4 year car. These compressors shed metal pieces when they fail effecting other parts of the vehicle and creating potential for the whole car to shut down as others with this problem have experience.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Luxury sedans
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus ES | 150 | 3.5 | 0.09 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 6 | Airbags & seat belts |
| 2 | BMW 5 Series | 190 | 3.6 | 0.09 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 1 | Airbags & seat belts |
| 3 | BMW 3 Series | 225 | 4.3 | 0.11 | Stable | Rising | 1 | Engine |
| 4 | Audi A4 | 253 | 4.9 | 0.12 | Worsening | Falling | 12 | Electrical |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 242 | 6.0 | 0.15 | Stable | Rising | 0 | Electrical |
| 6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 341 | 7.0 | 0.17 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 0 | Engine |
Recalls by year received
No recalls on record for this model year.
- Campaigns: 0
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (0) · 2019 (0) · 2020 (0) · 2021 (0) · 2022 (0) · 2023 (0) · 2024 (0) · 2026 (0)
Investigations
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.