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Worst years for a Mercedes Benz E Class

Owners have filed 412 complaints about the Mercedes Benz E Class with NHTSA across model years 1993 to 2008. More of them are about the electrical system than anything else.

Avoid

2003 Mercedes Benz E Class

69 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly brakes.

Cleanest on record

1996 Mercedes Benz E Class

18 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Mercedes Benz E Class year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2008 — 5 0 0 38,000 Wheels
2006 C 11 1 0 60,500 Fuel & Propulsion
2005 A 10 0 0 56,500 Fuel & Propulsion
2004 C 19 3 0 10,250 Fuel & Propulsion
2003 F 69 5 0 4,003 Brakes
2002 — 8 0 0 44,716 Electrical System
2001 B 33 1 0 84,542 Brakes
2000 C 61 1 0 88,750 Electrical System
1999 A 20 0 0 99,059 Suspension
1998 B 31 1 0 95,000 Suspension
1997 C 43 2 0 90,000 Suspension
1996 A 18 0 0 125,250 Suspension
1995 C 29 0 4 193,500 Electrical System
1994 D 46 0 6 112,000 Electrical System
1993 — 9 0 2 72,500 Electrical System

What breaks on a Mercedes Benz E Class

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Electrical System 99 24.0%

Worst in 1994

Suspension 57 13.8%

Worst in 1997

Fuel & Propulsion 39 9.5%

Worst in 2003

Engine & Cooling 38 9.2%

Worst in 2000

Brakes 34 8.3%

Worst in 2003

Transmission & Drivetrain 20 4.9%

Worst in 1998

Body & Structure 18 4.4%

Worst in 1997

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 17 4.1%

Worst in 1997

Steering 13 3.2%

Worst in 2000

Lights 13 3.2%

Worst in 2000

Equipment & Accessories 12 2.9%

Worst in 2003

Airbags 11 2.7%

Worst in 1997

Acceleration & Cruise Control 8 1.9%

Worst in 2003

Tires 8 1.9%

Worst in 2000

Exactly what failed on a Mercedes Benz E Class

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Coil Springs 25 17.0%
Front Underhood 24 16.3%
Front 22 15.0%
Wiring 18 12.2%
Engine 16 10.9%
Automatic Transmission 11 7.5%
Frame AND Members 10 6.8%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 9 6.1%
Instrument Cluster/Panel 6 4.1%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 6 4.1%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Mercedes Benz E Class, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jan 1999 peak 9 Apr 2014

Mercedes Benz E Class problems by state

Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.

Mercedes Benz E Class in California 97 Mercedes Benz E Class in New York 49 Mercedes Benz E Class in Florida 31 Mercedes Benz E Class in New Jersey 31 Mercedes Benz E Class in Texas 26 Mercedes Benz E Class in Georgia 20

Compare the Mercedes Benz E Class

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.

Mercedes Benz E Class vs Mazda RX-8 Mercedes Benz E Class vs Hyundai Azera Mercedes Benz E Class vs Mitsubishi Montero Mercedes Benz E Class vs Ford F150 Mercedes Benz E Class vs Chrysler Sebring Convertible Mercedes Benz E Class vs Lincoln Mark Viii