Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2015 Mercedes Benz E400 with NHTSA between 2015 and 2024.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 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 — 34
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz E400. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
27.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2015 compares with every other Mercedes Benz E400
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 Mercedes Benz E400
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
844.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 1,500 mi
Electrical System
316.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 1,500 mi
Other & Unspecified
211.1%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
15.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 15,000 mi
Body & Structure
15.6%
Median failure at 76,000 miles
Brakes
15.6%
Engine & Cooling
15.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
250.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
125.0%
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.
Sep 2015peak 2Oct 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Mercedes Benz E400
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
DP20004Opened 24 Apr 2020Closed 9 Oct 2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Rear brake line failure
On April 10, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Surjit Singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a Mercedes dealer service department that his car had severely rusted brake lines that need[ed] to be replaced immediately at a cost of about $3300. He further stated that the dealer service advisor informed him that he had seen the issue on many cars like his. The petitioner requested ?that NHTSA launch an investigation into this serious...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 15,000 milesPhiladelphia, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (PRESAFE PLUS) FAILED TO WARN (AS ADVERTISED BY MBUSA) OF AN IMMINENT REAR END COLLISION ON AN EXPRESSWAY. THE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE AN AUDIBLE WARNING SIGNAL BASED ON THE RATE OF CHANGE OF THE CLOSING DISTANCE BETWEEN MB AND A VEHICLE IN FRONT. MOREOVER, IF THE DRIVER IGNORES THE WARNING SIGNAL, THE MB IS SUPPOSED TO APPLY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY. NEITHER OF THESE TWO EVENTS TOOK PLACE, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE HIGHWAY BEFORE AND AT THE POINT OF COLLISION WAS STRAIGHT WITH NO CURVES. AFTER COLLISION DAMAGE REPAIR BY AN MB DEALERSHIP AND ASSURANCE FROM THE DEALER THAT THE SAFETY SYSTEMS WERE OPERATIONAL, I TESTED THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES BY DRIVING THE MB INTO A VARIETY OF LARGE BOXES THE FRONTS OF WHICH WERE COVERED WITH METALLIC FOIL. ALL TESTS FAILED TO PROVIDE BOTH AN AUDIBLE WARNING AS WELL AS AUTOMATIC BRAKING (SEE WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=6_D9A_AXAV4 FOR ONE EXAMPLE OF TEST). MBUSA ADVERTISING IN 2015 TOUTED THESE SAFETY FEATURES ON TV AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS. WHAT WAS MISSING FROM THESE INFOMERCIALS IS INFORMATION ON THE RELIABILITY OF THESE "SAFETY" SYSTEMS (I.E., WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT THE SYSTEM WILL FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED). I SUSPECT THAT THIS PROBABILITY IS QUITE LOW, AND IF SO, THIS FACT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO THE CONSUMER. ALSO, IF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE ACTUAL ACCIDENT AND MY ADDITIONAL TESTING IS ANY INDICATION OF RELIABILITY, MERC3DES BENZ VEHICLES INCORPORATING PRESAFE PLUS SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO A NHTSA RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11072118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,500 milesFairfax Station, VACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ E400. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DISTRONIC DEVICE THAT ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEVICE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED THE CONTACT TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND THEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
NHTSA complaint #10767459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,500 milesFairfax Station, VACrash2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ E400. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DISTRONIC DEVICE THAT ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEVICE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED THE CONTACT TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND THEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
NHTSA complaint #10767459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Manahawkin, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
The sub frame of this car is being replaced under a warranty extension due to severe rusting and separation creating an extremely unsafe driving condition. It was determined during inspection the rear brake lines were also corroded. This is also due to environmental exposure and substandard materials of construction. Many E classes of the W212 and prior have this concern but Mercedes is not covering the brake lines as part of this warranty. In fact they are charging up to $4000 to replace with the subframe already removed!! This is highly concerning as this is a safety concern that must be covered.
NHTSA complaint #11620728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesDecatur, GA
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E400. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel material was peeling off. Additionally, the driver’s and passenger’s side window buttons were peeling. The contact stated that the dashboard was bubbling. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #11542690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New York, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Went on a 2000 miles road trip and my blind spot monitoring systems and then my turn signals stopped working.
NHTSA complaint #11483931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New York, NY
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Went on a 2000 miles road trip and my blind spot monitoring systems and then my turn signals stopped working.
NHTSA complaint #11483931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wayne, NJ
ENGINE
Purchased new 2015 MB e400 in 12/2014 MB issued a bulliten in 12/15 (1 year later) indicating that the engines may experience a problem with the timing belt harness which may cause engine failure. We have the exact same issue now at 69k miles and MB refuses to acknowledge the issue claiming i need a new engine. I cannot use the car for fear of engine failure which may cause death or serious injury
NHTSA complaint #11464309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF GRAPEVINE (1300 TEXAN TRAIL, GRAPEVINE, TX 76051, (817) 310-9748) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11413057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethesda, MD
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER TO GET DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11398426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oyster BAY, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ E400. IN FEBRUARY OF 2019, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. RALLYE MOTORS (1600 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY 11576, (516) 625-1000) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11232014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Brunswick, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF EDISON (LOCATED AT 910 US-1, EDISON, NJ 08817, (732) 549-6600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN MAY OF 2020. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11195040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hixson, TN
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ E400A. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 2020. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11184861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sailsbury, MD
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF WILMINGTON, 3801 LANCASTER PIKE, WILMINGTON, DE) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11088782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesPhiladelphia, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (PRESAFE PLUS) FAILED TO WARN (AS ADVERTISED BY MBUSA) OF AN IMMINENT REAR END COLLISION ON AN EXPRESSWAY. THE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE AN AUDIBLE WARNING SIGNAL BASED ON THE RATE OF CHANGE OF THE CLOSING DISTANCE BETWEEN MB AND A VEHICLE IN FRONT. MOREOVER, IF THE DRIVER IGNORES THE WARNING SIGNAL, THE MB IS SUPPOSED TO APPLY BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY. NEITHER OF THESE TWO EVENTS TOOK PLACE, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE HIGHWAY BEFORE AND AT THE POINT OF COLLISION WAS STRAIGHT WITH NO CURVES. AFTER COLLISION DAMAGE REPAIR BY AN MB DEALERSHIP AND ASSURANCE FROM THE DEALER THAT THE SAFETY SYSTEMS WERE OPERATIONAL, I TESTED THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES BY DRIVING THE MB INTO A VARIETY OF LARGE BOXES THE FRONTS OF WHICH WERE COVERED WITH METALLIC FOIL. ALL TESTS FAILED TO PROVIDE BOTH AN AUDIBLE WARNING AS WELL AS AUTOMATIC BRAKING (SEE WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=6_D9A_AXAV4 FOR ONE EXAMPLE OF TEST). MBUSA ADVERTISING IN 2015 TOUTED THESE SAFETY FEATURES ON TV AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS. WHAT WAS MISSING FROM THESE INFOMERCIALS IS INFORMATION ON THE RELIABILITY OF THESE "SAFETY" SYSTEMS (I.E., WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT THE SYSTEM WILL FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED). I SUSPECT THAT THIS PROBABILITY IS QUITE LOW, AND IF SO, THIS FACT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO THE CONSUMER. ALSO, IF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE ACTUAL ACCIDENT AND MY ADDITIONAL TESTING IS ANY INDICATION OF RELIABILITY, MERC3DES BENZ VEHICLES INCORPORATING PRESAFE PLUS SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO A NHTSA RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11072118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA complaint #11062673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL #17V627, I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BUT UNABLE TO GET THE DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED AS THE DEALER REPORTED THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11055456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL #17V627, I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BUT UNABLE TO GET THE DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED AS THE DEALER REPORTED THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11055456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pelham, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NOT MADE AWARE OF STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING RECALL BY MANUFACTURER. ISSUE APPARENTLY STILL UNRESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #11040453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,500 milesFairfax Station, VACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ E400. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DISTRONIC DEVICE THAT ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEVICE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED THE CONTACT TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND THEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
NHTSA complaint #10767459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,500 milesFairfax Station, VACrash2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES BENZ E400. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DISTRONIC DEVICE THAT ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEVICE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED THE CONTACT TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND THEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
NHTSA complaint #10767459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.