Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2020 Mercedes Benz E 450 with NHTSA between 2020 and 2026.
The largest single group is the driver assist & collision avoidance.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz E 450. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 85
50% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2020 compares with every other Mercedes Benz E 450
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2020 Mercedes Benz E 450
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
440.0%
Median failure at 48,000 miles
Body & Structure
220.0%
Median failure at 400 miles
Other & Unspecified
110.0%
Doors, Latches & Locks
110.0%
Median failure at 8,000 miles
Tires
110.0%
Engine & Cooling
110.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
116.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
116.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
466.7%
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.
Dec 2020peak 2May 2026
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Mill Valley, CAFire
ENGINE
On October 2, 2021, car caught fire in the engine compartment while car was turned off under carport of home. Car mileage was 18,000. The car was serviced by Mercedes of Marin and driven approximately 25 miles after the service when incident occurred. No warning lamps or messages appeared. Fire damage to carport and garage of house and fence and gate. Allstate, the insurance carrier is performing a fire inspection of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11437940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 400 milesQuogue, NY1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DOOR HINGES ARE DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, IT CLOSES TOO QUICKLY. THE DETENTS DO NOT WORK. THEY DO NOT HOLD THE DOOR AJAR. THIS IS A LONG, HEAVY DOOR AND WHEN IT SLAMS SHUT ON YOUR LEG, ANKLE OR FOOT IT REALLY HURTS! THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE SAFELY IS TO PUT YOUR FOOT AGAINST THE DOOR TO HOLD IT OPEN WHILE YOU EXIT. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF MB, WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE HINGES ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. ONCE THIS WAS DONE, THE DOOR WORKED FINE... FOR A MONTH. AND THEN IT SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM OF SLAMMING SHUT OR NOT STAYING OPEN. MB SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER DOOR, WHICH IS HARDLY USED, SO I HAVE NO DATA FOR THAT. I HAVE WRITTEN TO MB ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE THAT THEY WOULD "LOOK INTO IT." THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. IT MAKES ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAR PAINFUL AND STRESSFUL. MB NEEDS TO RE-ENGINEER THIS HINGE SO THAT IT WORKS AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO AND DOESN'T INJURE PEOPLE. LAST MONTH A FRIEND ARRIVED IN THE COUPE VERSION OF THIS CAR. AS HIS WIFE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT ON HER ANKLE. I TOLD HER TO CALL MB. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEBILITATING INJURY. IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11385595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
NEW Hyde Park, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear glass window on convertible soft top is prematurely separating/delaminating from top assembly on 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350 convertible with under 8,000 miles. Glass is integrated into the convertible top and failure may lead to reduced rear visibility, possible glass detachment, water intrusion, and safety hazard while driving. This appears premature and inconsistent with expected vehicle life.
NHTSA complaint #11738921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Hyde Park, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear glass window on convertible soft top is prematurely separating/delaminating from top assembly on 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350 convertible with under 8,000 miles. Glass is integrated into the convertible top and failure may lead to reduced rear visibility, possible glass detachment, water intrusion, and safety hazard while driving. This appears premature and inconsistent with expected vehicle life.
NHTSA complaint #11738921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesAustin, TX
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-450. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperative. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was frozen. The contact also expressed concerns that the emblem located on the rear of the vehicle was intermittently blocking the rearview image. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11694082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesScottsdale, AZ
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image failed to display. An image indicating that the rearview camera was inoperable was displayed on the infotainment system screen. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the manufacturer was in the process of issuing a related recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer transferred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #11635911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesFairview, TX
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed the rear view of the vehicle for approximately 10-seconds before going black. The back over prevention camera remained open despite failing to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V232000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the VIN was not included. The back over prevention camera was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11601554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesFairview, TX
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the back over prevention camera displayed the rear view of the vehicle for approximately 10-seconds before going black. The back over prevention camera remained open despite failing to display an image of the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V232000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the VIN was not included. The back over prevention camera was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11601554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Williston, NY
TIRES
The side wall split on the outside of the tire and the tire deflated. I pulled to the side of the road. I have no spare because the tires are run flats. I tried to drive and within about 3 miles the tire shredded. The tread separated from the tire and made the car undriveable because the tire tread was hitting the wheel well. I was stranded with no spare. The rubber began melting and I was told by the tire shop fixing my car it fused to the rim. This tire was not made properly.
NHTSA complaint #11465827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mill Valley, CAFire
ENGINE
On October 2, 2021, car caught fire in the engine compartment while car was turned off under carport of home. Car mileage was 18,000. The car was serviced by Mercedes of Marin and driven approximately 25 miles after the service when incident occurred. No warning lamps or messages appeared. Fire damage to carport and garage of house and fence and gate. Allstate, the insurance carrier is performing a fire inspection of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11437940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesQuogue, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated while attempting to open and close the door, the door failed to remain open. Additionally, on several occasions, the door closed independently. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was awaiting a callback. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #11419360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 400 milesQuogue, NY1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DOOR HINGES ARE DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, IT CLOSES TOO QUICKLY. THE DETENTS DO NOT WORK. THEY DO NOT HOLD THE DOOR AJAR. THIS IS A LONG, HEAVY DOOR AND WHEN IT SLAMS SHUT ON YOUR LEG, ANKLE OR FOOT IT REALLY HURTS! THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE SAFELY IS TO PUT YOUR FOOT AGAINST THE DOOR TO HOLD IT OPEN WHILE YOU EXIT. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF MB, WHO AGREED TO REPLACE THE HINGES ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. ONCE THIS WAS DONE, THE DOOR WORKED FINE... FOR A MONTH. AND THEN IT SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM OF SLAMMING SHUT OR NOT STAYING OPEN. MB SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER DOOR, WHICH IS HARDLY USED, SO I HAVE NO DATA FOR THAT. I HAVE WRITTEN TO MB ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE THAT THEY WOULD "LOOK INTO IT." THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. IT MAKES ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAR PAINFUL AND STRESSFUL. MB NEEDS TO RE-ENGINEER THIS HINGE SO THAT IT WORKS AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO AND DOESN'T INJURE PEOPLE. LAST MONTH A FRIEND ARRIVED IN THE COUPE VERSION OF THIS CAR. AS HIS WIFE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THE DOOR SLAMMED SHUT ON HER ANKLE. I TOLD HER TO CALL MB. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEBILITATING INJURY. IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11385595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.