Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
919.1%
Median failure at 32,500 miles
Electrical System
714.9%
Median failure at 13,400 miles
Other & Unspecified
612.8%
Median failure at 8,796 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
510.6%
Median failure at 133,000 miles
Steering
48.5%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
24.3%
Median failure at 10,452 miles
Wheels
24.3%
Median failure at 25,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
24.3%
Median failure at 17,600 miles
Body & Structure
24.3%
Median failure at 13,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
12.1%
Median failure at 18,034 miles
Seats
12.1%
Seat Belts
12.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
12.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12.1%
Median failure at 7,805 miles
Suspension
12.1%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Brakes
12.1%
Median failure at 13,100 miles
Airbags
12.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
526.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
526.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
736.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
15.3%
150,000+ miles
15.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2018peak 5May 2026
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Vicksburg, MSCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, another vehicle leaving the parking lot pulled in front of the contact's vehicle, and the contact's vehicle crashed into the side of the other vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's face and chest hit the steering wheel. The contact sustained soreness on the face, and from the shoulders down to the lower back and legs. The contact was currently dragging one leg while walking. The contact had received dental and medical assistance. Additionally, the contact underwent an MRI. The contact was informed that the third and fourth vertebrae were damaged. The vehicle was towed and totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle operated as designed. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11689774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burtonsville, MD1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While the vehicle was parked, at approximately 6:15 pm on June 11, 2022 while I was retrieving my iPod that was on the cupholder of my wife’s car, I got cut on the back of my right hand by the chrome plating lining the top part of the cupholder. The cut was painful and was one centimeter long. After I got cut I noticed that the chrome plating around the cupholder was peeling off and was sharp to the touch. The peeling off was mainly on the middle to the left-hand side of the center console cupholder, it is razor sharp and very dangerous. Please warn other drivers about this danger. It would be especially dangerous if someone gets cut while driving the car. It seems other Mercedes Benz owners have had this issue too: Here - https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w205/724605-interior-chrome-trim-flaking.html And here - https://mbworld.org/forums/w213-amg/810641-ashtray-cup-holder-trim.html This problem is similar to one I had experienced years ago on the door handle of a Hyundai Sonata I used to own, with peeling sharp chrome edge on interior drivers door handle - https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2009/05/26/hyundai-recalling-over-91-000-sonata-sedans-due-to-sharp-chro/
NHTSA complaint #11468820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 112,000 milesLawrenceville, GA
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes Benz E Class. The contact stated that while driving stopped at a residential gate, the gear was shifted and skipped from g1 to g3., shifting itself to neutral. In another incident, when at a stop light or stop sign, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair for software update however the issue that was experienced with the vehicle stalling was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that he thought the recall had to do with the issue he was experiencing but was informed by the dealer that it was a separate issue. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. the approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
NHTSA complaint #11738071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
ENGINE
Variable Valve Timing Camshaft KNOWN DEFECT rendering the car unusable at only 100K miles.
NHTSA complaint #11724676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vicksburg, MSCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, another vehicle leaving the parking lot pulled in front of the contact's vehicle, and the contact's vehicle crashed into the side of the other vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's face and chest hit the steering wheel. The contact sustained soreness on the face, and from the shoulders down to the lower back and legs. The contact was currently dragging one leg while walking. The contact had received dental and medical assistance. Additionally, the contact underwent an MRI. The contact was informed that the third and fourth vertebrae were damaged. The vehicle was towed and totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle operated as designed. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11689774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humble, TX
POWER TRAIN
The car did not give any warning before this issue came about. A matter of fact when I took it to the mechanic they were unable to do a diagnostic test because there were no error messages and check engine light never came on. After taking it to the dealership they were able to check the history and saw that the error code P061b00 shows that the clutch position switch module needs to be replaced. While driving in traffic the car went into N (neutral) and wouldn’t not go back in D (drive). It took several minutes of me trying to change gears but it eventually went into P (park). The vehicle is unable to change gears sometimes and this is unsettling because the safety of myself, my children and others is affected if I’m driving and the car goes into neutral all of a sudden with no warning or goes into park and is unable to move. This occurred several times within a two week span while my children were in the car and this could have ended very differently. I took it to a certified mechanic who provided an explanation based on the error code received and stated that this was a huge safety issues that needed to be addressed.
NHTSA complaint #11665796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humble, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car did not give any warning before this issue came about. A matter of fact when I took it to the mechanic they were unable to do a diagnostic test because there were no error messages and check engine light never came on. After taking it to the dealership they were able to check the history and saw that the error code P061b00 shows that the clutch position switch module needs to be replaced. While driving in traffic the car went into N (neutral) and wouldn’t not go back in D (drive). It took several minutes of me trying to change gears but it eventually went into P (park). The vehicle is unable to change gears sometimes and this is unsettling because the safety of myself, my children and others is affected if I’m driving and the car goes into neutral all of a sudden with no warning or goes into park and is unable to move. This occurred several times within a two week span while my children were in the car and this could have ended very differently. I took it to a certified mechanic who provided an explanation based on the error code received and stated that this was a huge safety issues that needed to be addressed.
NHTSA complaint #11665796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humble, TX
ENGINE
The car did not give any warning before this issue came about. A matter of fact when I took it to the mechanic they were unable to do a diagnostic test because there were no error messages and check engine light never came on. After taking it to the dealership they were able to check the history and saw that the error code P061b00 shows that the clutch position switch module needs to be replaced. While driving in traffic the car went into N (neutral) and wouldn’t not go back in D (drive). It took several minutes of me trying to change gears but it eventually went into P (park). The vehicle is unable to change gears sometimes and this is unsettling because the safety of myself, my children and others is affected if I’m driving and the car goes into neutral all of a sudden with no warning or goes into park and is unable to move. This occurred several times within a two week span while my children were in the car and this could have ended very differently. I took it to a certified mechanic who provided an explanation based on the error code received and stated that this was a huge safety issues that needed to be addressed.
NHTSA complaint #11665796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof shattered.
NHTSA complaint #11661309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, VA
ENGINE
Check Engine Light, running fault code P052E71 - needs software update for N3/10 Engine control unit.
NHTSA complaint #11646753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TX
SEAT BELTS
Passenger seatbelt does not latch to the buckle. Therefore I am unable to have passengers in my vehicle. And when I do it becomes a huge safety issue. No mechanic can seem to figure out what is wrong with it.
NHTSA complaint #11635486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SEATS
In April 2022, I purchased a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300 4MATIC from CarMax in Tinley Park, Illinois. After the purchase, I discovered several unresolved issues that compromised the vehicle's safety and reliability. Key components, including the battery and alternator, were defective. Mercedes-Benz confirmed the battery had not been replaced since 2018, despite CarMax’s assurance that it was new. This defect contributed to electrical system malfunctions, affecting the vehicle’s performance. Additionally, CarMax conducted substandard repainting on the backseat. The peeling paint transferred to my clothing while driving, causing financial losses and embarrassment. Issues with the rims were also mishandled, further compromising the vehicle's quality. CarMax failed to disclose unresolved safety recalls affecting critical vehicle systems, and their inadequate repairs and omissions put my safety at risk. These defects have caused significant inconvenience, financial loss, and concerns about the vehicle’s reliability. Despite requests, CarMax has not adequately addressed these issues. CarMax acquired the vehicle in 2021 from its first owner, who had purchased it in 2018. At the time of acquisition, the vehicle had been driven 45,069 miles. When I purchased it in 2022, the odometer read 57,925 miles, indicating that CarMax operated the vehicle for 12,856 miles. This period of use was later discovered to involve its usage as a loaner vehicle, a fact not disclosed during the transaction. Upon taking possession of the vehicle, I became aware of several safety issues that were not disclosed, including unresolved recalls affecting key components of the vehicle. Despite the critical nature of these recalls, CarMax sold the vehicle without addressing these defects or informing me of their existence. Omission of Material Safety Information: CarMax failed to disclose the vehicle’s use as a loaner car and any associated wear and tear, which likely exacerbated the safety risks.
NHTSA complaint #11635362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
WHEELS
In April 2022, I purchased a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300 4MATIC from CarMax in Tinley Park, Illinois. After the purchase, I discovered several unresolved issues that compromised the vehicle's safety and reliability. Key components, including the battery and alternator, were defective. Mercedes-Benz confirmed the battery had not been replaced since 2018, despite CarMax’s assurance that it was new. This defect contributed to electrical system malfunctions, affecting the vehicle’s performance. Additionally, CarMax conducted substandard repainting on the backseat. The peeling paint transferred to my clothing while driving, causing financial losses and embarrassment. Issues with the rims were also mishandled, further compromising the vehicle's quality. CarMax failed to disclose unresolved safety recalls affecting critical vehicle systems, and their inadequate repairs and omissions put my safety at risk. These defects have caused significant inconvenience, financial loss, and concerns about the vehicle’s reliability. Despite requests, CarMax has not adequately addressed these issues. CarMax acquired the vehicle in 2021 from its first owner, who had purchased it in 2018. At the time of acquisition, the vehicle had been driven 45,069 miles. When I purchased it in 2022, the odometer read 57,925 miles, indicating that CarMax operated the vehicle for 12,856 miles. This period of use was later discovered to involve its usage as a loaner vehicle, a fact not disclosed during the transaction. Upon taking possession of the vehicle, I became aware of several safety issues that were not disclosed, including unresolved recalls affecting key components of the vehicle. Despite the critical nature of these recalls, CarMax sold the vehicle without addressing these defects or informing me of their existence. Omission of Material Safety Information: CarMax failed to disclose the vehicle’s use as a loaner car and any associated wear and tear, which likely exacerbated the safety risks.
NHTSA complaint #11635362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In April 2022, I purchased a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300 4MATIC from CarMax in Tinley Park, Illinois. After the purchase, I discovered several unresolved issues that compromised the vehicle's safety and reliability. Key components, including the battery and alternator, were defective. Mercedes-Benz confirmed the battery had not been replaced since 2018, despite CarMax’s assurance that it was new. This defect contributed to electrical system malfunctions, affecting the vehicle’s performance. Additionally, CarMax conducted substandard repainting on the backseat. The peeling paint transferred to my clothing while driving, causing financial losses and embarrassment. Issues with the rims were also mishandled, further compromising the vehicle's quality. CarMax failed to disclose unresolved safety recalls affecting critical vehicle systems, and their inadequate repairs and omissions put my safety at risk. These defects have caused significant inconvenience, financial loss, and concerns about the vehicle’s reliability. Despite requests, CarMax has not adequately addressed these issues. CarMax acquired the vehicle in 2021 from its first owner, who had purchased it in 2018. At the time of acquisition, the vehicle had been driven 45,069 miles. When I purchased it in 2022, the odometer read 57,925 miles, indicating that CarMax operated the vehicle for 12,856 miles. This period of use was later discovered to involve its usage as a loaner vehicle, a fact not disclosed during the transaction. Upon taking possession of the vehicle, I became aware of several safety issues that were not disclosed, including unresolved recalls affecting key components of the vehicle. Despite the critical nature of these recalls, CarMax sold the vehicle without addressing these defects or informing me of their existence. Omission of Material Safety Information: CarMax failed to disclose the vehicle’s use as a loaner car and any associated wear and tear, which likely exacerbated the safety risks.
NHTSA complaint #11635362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
ENGINE
added information: the issue is the piston, it went off due to a bad part. Mercedes Benz knew about the issue with the type of engine M247. there is a class action lawsuit pending. But I'm reporting this because i didn't know and it happened to me just a month out of warranty. Now, the dealership is asking me to pay for the labor. the dealership is House Of Imports in Buena Park. This has to do with the piston failure.
NHTSA complaint #11634616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trumbull, CT
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle went into limp mode at 83,000 miles and it was due to the electronic valve body failing within the transmission. Dealership mentioned it shouldn’t happen in a vehicles lifetime, this includes maintenance at the right interval (60,000 miles), which mine was. I was quoted roughly $3,800 by the dealership but after speaking with corporate it was brought down to $2,600.
NHTSA complaint #11624425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesHacienda Heights, CA
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated while attempting to shift into drive, the transmission independently shifted to neutral. The contact attempted several times to shift into drive however, the transmission failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.
NHTSA complaint #11614515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Myers Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The back-up camera failed while in the middle of reversing. Screen went completely black and unresponsive. Putting the car in Park then back to Reverse didn't work, screen still black. Tried turning off the car and turning it back on, screen still black and no back-up camera when I put the car in Reverse. I tried turning on / off the infotainment system and no change, screen still black. Later in the day when I got back in the car, the screen came up MUCH slower than usual, but did eventually come back up. This has happened multiple times and I've taken it to the dealer multiple times for this, but they've not been able to fix it.
NHTSA complaint #11559062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, TN
POWER TRAIN
Mercedes Benz use low quality PCV regulator valve , it is a common failure problem, warranty will not be covered, Benz sells part replacement for around 350 USD and it require about 2000 in labor to be fixed on average
NHTSA complaint #11558454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mercedes Benz use low quality PCV regulator valve , it is a common failure problem, warranty will not be covered, Benz sells part replacement for around 350 USD and it require about 2000 in labor to be fixed on average
NHTSA complaint #11558454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
STEERING
When taking curves the vehicle is making a cracking noise but, mechanic said they don’t see anything. My W213 Mercedes Benz E300 just like all other Mercedes is have a “Crankcase” issue, it failed the engine keep revving but, not catching speed. I’ve seen multiple Mercedes is having that issues and it’s very common. My vehicle computer communication system failed to communicate with the key sometimes won’t start and will run out of power overnight mainly happen during winter times and when it rains.
NHTSA complaint #11547889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When taking curves the vehicle is making a cracking noise but, mechanic said they don’t see anything. My W213 Mercedes Benz E300 just like all other Mercedes is have a “Crankcase” issue, it failed the engine keep revving but, not catching speed. I’ve seen multiple Mercedes is having that issues and it’s very common. My vehicle computer communication system failed to communicate with the key sometimes won’t start and will run out of power overnight mainly happen during winter times and when it rains.
NHTSA complaint #11547889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When taking curves the vehicle is making a cracking noise but, mechanic said they don’t see anything. My W213 Mercedes Benz E300 just like all other Mercedes is have a “Crankcase” issue, it failed the engine keep revving but, not catching speed. I’ve seen multiple Mercedes is having that issues and it’s very common. My vehicle computer communication system failed to communicate with the key sometimes won’t start and will run out of power overnight mainly happen during winter times and when it rains.
NHTSA complaint #11547889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
According to the Mersedes dealer it is Engine Harness it is possible manufacture defect. Car has only 38900 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11530446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
ENGINE
According to the Mersedes dealer it is Engine Harness it is possible manufacture defect. Car has only 38900 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11530446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
ENGINE
yellow check engine light came on and a few days later the car stalled on the road potentially causing an accident. took it to a shop and it has a p052e (crankcase valve issue), then took it to mercedes and theyve confirmed that oil has been leaking and it needs a new cvp ($3000) AND oil has leaked into the engine harness ($4000) but a few other indie shops have mentioned that id probably also have to replace the thermostat because thats usually damaged as well. You can google this issue and see that its insanely common, dangerous, and a huge financial burden on mercedes owners. There should be an immediate recall. See the inspection here: https://app.mykaarma.com/service-cart/mpi/8RlVgZhzCNsvpezrI1ZEEtxKAPluMxrUUivaOkycfRg/detail
NHTSA complaint #11520095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
ENGINE
Recurrent crankshaft ventilation valve failures. Replaced 14 months ago and has failed again. This is a common and known issue with vehicles in E class from 2017 through 2019 and Mercedes has not issued a recall. Perhaps because it costs $3500 to replace it if out of warranty. Entire system replaced Feb 17, 2022 and has failed again (April 6th, 2023)
NHTSA complaint #11515977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.