Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 2017 Mercedes Benz E400 with NHTSA between 2017 and 2026.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 43
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz E400. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
89% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2017 compares with every other Mercedes Benz E400
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
111.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
555.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
111.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
222.2%
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 2017peak 3Mar 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2017 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...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 42,000 milesFranklin, NC1 injured
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe. The contact stated that the silver metal coating on the seat release lever was rough and jagged on both driver and passenger sides of the two door vehicle. The contact's son had grabbed the front seat release lever to access the rear passenger’s side seat and cut his hand. The cut was approximately 2-3 inches long. No medical attention was needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the failure was common with the vehicle and that the coating was known to peel due to heat. The contact was concerned that the failure occurred as his vehicle was stored in the garage and sustained less heat exposure due to its maintenance/care. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #11722261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CA3 injured
SEATS
Safety Issue. The Chrome on the lever to make the seat move forward to access the back seat has sharp razor blade ridges. It has cut my hand open multiple times as well as my wife and a friend. A lot of blood, this is a serious issue. When I brought my car to the Mercedes Service center the agent told me this is a known problem and he too has cut his hand open on customers cars. This is not from wear and tear, this lever is used in frequently, I see a lot of complaints on the blogs too. Mercedes will not fix it. The Part is only $270 but they want $650 to install it.
NHTSA complaint #11516573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 42,000 milesFranklin, NC1 injured
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe. The contact stated that the silver metal coating on the seat release lever was rough and jagged on both driver and passenger sides of the two door vehicle. The contact's son had grabbed the front seat release lever to access the rear passenger’s side seat and cut his hand. The cut was approximately 2-3 inches long. No medical attention was needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the failure was common with the vehicle and that the coating was known to peel due to heat. The contact was concerned that the failure occurred as his vehicle was stored in the garage and sustained less heat exposure due to its maintenance/care. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #11722261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VA
SEATS
Seat pressure sensor for supplemental restraint system (SRS) routinely fails. The system generates and error and disables the front passenger airbag. The condition clears when the vehicle is turned off. Sensors have been recalibrated multiple times. System still routinely fails.
NHTSA complaint #11640986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VA
AIR BAGS
Seat pressure sensor for supplemental restraint system (SRS) routinely fails. The system generates and error and disables the front passenger airbag. The condition clears when the vehicle is turned off. Sensors have been recalibrated multiple times. System still routinely fails.
NHTSA complaint #11640986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CA3 injured
SEATS
Safety Issue. The Chrome on the lever to make the seat move forward to access the back seat has sharp razor blade ridges. It has cut my hand open multiple times as well as my wife and a friend. A lot of blood, this is a serious issue. When I brought my car to the Mercedes Service center the agent told me this is a known problem and he too has cut his hand open on customers cars. This is not from wear and tear, this lever is used in frequently, I see a lot of complaints on the blogs too. Mercedes will not fix it. The Part is only $270 but they want $650 to install it.
NHTSA complaint #11516573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving down the interstate when the panoramic sunroof suddenly shattered. Luckily my shade was closed but it is leaving me with a costly repair bill. I was not driving near any other vehicles, had not gone under an overpass, nor did a rock hit my roof. How could this happen and how can this be resolved? Who do I contact?
NHTSA complaint #11433484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 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 LONG BEACH (2300 E SPRING ST, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11404869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20 milesST Augustine, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKADAAIRBAG RECALL. NO REPAIR AVAILABLE FOR OVER 2 YEARS, AND NO ANSWER FROM MEERCEDESDEALER, REGIONAL OFFICE OR US HEADQUARTERS. IN FEAR OF AIR BAG EXPLOSION AND NOT SAFE TO HAVE PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11403838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longboat KEY, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF SARASOTA (LOCATED AT 4754 CLARK RD, SARASOTA, FL 34233, (941) 275-1293) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11398995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,823 milesPalm Coast, FL
AIR BAGS
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE LACK OF RESPONSE BY MERCEDES BENZ IN REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA PASSENGER AIRBAG. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS ADDRESSED ONLY 35% OF RECALLED MODELS AS OPPOSED TO HONDA WHO HAS ALREADY RESPONDED TO 85% OF THE RECALLED MODELS, REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS IN QUESTION. I CALLED THE DAYTONA MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN JANUARY 2019 REQUESTING THAT THE DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG BE REPLACED. THEY REPLIED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. AS OF TWO DAYS AGO, OCTOBER 14, 2020 I HAD NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALER OR FROM MERCEDES BENZ. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND DOCUMENTATION AS TO THE DANGER OF THIS AIRBAG AND HOW IT HAS KILLED OR INJURED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. ARE WE EXPECTED TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNDER THESE CONDITIONS? DOES MERCEDES BENZ GIVE A HOOT ABOUT ITS CUSTOMERS? I AM NOT DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH FOR THESE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE EVEN THOUGH I AM PAYING TAXES AND INSURANCE ON IT. I AM 79 YEARS OLD LIVING ON A SMALL PENSION AND DO NOT THINK I WILL BE ABLE TO SELL THIS CAR WITH THIS RECALL PENDING. YESTERDAY I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REPLIED THAT THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER 2020. I AM FILING THIS CLAIM WITH NHTSA TO NOTIFY YOU THAT I AM ONE OF THE AFFECTED CUSTOMERS AND WILL BE NOTIFYING YOU AGAIN WHETHER OR NOT THE PART IS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER. FOLLOW THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #11364714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesST Augustine, FL
AIR BAGS
NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR RECALL
NHTSA complaint #11344027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
AIR BAGS
SALES STAFF TOLD ME THAT AIRBAG, LIGHT AND PAINT ISSUE WAS FIXED. AFTER COMPLETING THE DEAL, THE STORIES BEGAN. I TRIED TO RETURN THE CAR TO NO AVAIL. THE SALESMAN TOLD ME THE AIRBAG RECALL WAS OF NO HARM. LATER I READ THE INFORMATION ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT THIS RECALL OF THE AIRBAG COULD CAUSE HARM AND DEATH. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED HOWEVER I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OR TO HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #11339292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF WHITE PLAINS (50 BANK ST, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10606) WAS CONTACTED AND 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF
NHTSA complaint #11320971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesFairlawn, NJ
AIR BAGS
I AM WAITING TO BUY THIS CAR BUT DO NOT WANT TO BUY UNTIL THE AIRBAGS ARE FIXED. THE CAR HAS REMAINED ON RECALL OF AIRBAGS SINCE JAN. 2019.
NHTSA complaint #11286792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyomissing, PA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN WAITING MONTHS FOR A FIX TO THIS RECAL PROBLEM. WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. I AM STARTING TO GET VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AND MYSELF.
NHTSA complaint #11195590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR AND WANT THE DEALERSHIP TO GIVE ME A LOANER.
NHTSA complaint #11194992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Claremont, CA
AIR BAGS
2017 MERCEDES BENZ E400. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY DEFECT. *LD
NHTSA complaint #11184131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
AIR BAGS
2017 MERCEDES BENZ E400. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA SAFETY AIRBAG RECALL. *LD
NHTSA complaint #11185211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E400A. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY OF 2020. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11182563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesNorth Caldwell, NJ
AIR BAGS
TAKATA AIRBAG DEFECT. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL FROM MB IN NOVEMBER, 2017, ALMOST 8 MONTHS AGO. DESPITE NUMEROUS FOLLOWUPS WITH BOTH MB AND THE DEALER, NEITHER MB OR THE MB DEALER CAN TELL ME WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP BEFORE MY WIFE OR I OR OTHER PERSONS ARE INJURED OR WORSE. THE MB NOTICE STATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUNDING, AN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE AND A BROKEN STEERING MODULE CLOCK SPRING, CAUSING INJURY AND RISK OF A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #11092301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesNorth Caldwell, NJ
STEERING
TAKATA AIRBAG DEFECT. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL FROM MB IN NOVEMBER, 2017, ALMOST 8 MONTHS AGO. DESPITE NUMEROUS FOLLOWUPS WITH BOTH MB AND THE DEALER, NEITHER MB OR THE MB DEALER CAN TELL ME WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP BEFORE MY WIFE OR I OR OTHER PERSONS ARE INJURED OR WORSE. THE MB NOTICE STATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUNDING, AN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE AND A BROKEN STEERING MODULE CLOCK SPRING, CAUSING INJURY AND RISK OF A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #11092301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesNorth Caldwell, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA AIRBAG DEFECT. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL FROM MB IN NOVEMBER, 2017, ALMOST 8 MONTHS AGO. DESPITE NUMEROUS FOLLOWUPS WITH BOTH MB AND THE DEALER, NEITHER MB OR THE MB DEALER CAN TELL ME WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP BEFORE MY WIFE OR I OR OTHER PERSONS ARE INJURED OR WORSE. THE MB NOTICE STATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUNDING, AN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE AND A BROKEN STEERING MODULE CLOCK SPRING, CAUSING INJURY AND RISK OF A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #11092301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Mirage, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM SPRING (4095 E PALM CANYON DR, PALM SPRING, CA 92264), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN EMAIL WOULD BE SENT AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11064463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesGolden Beach, FL
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E400 CONVERTIBLE EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN M+S TUBELESS RADIO X TIRES, SIZE: 255/35/R18 94H (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS INFLATED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT SUDDENLY. THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL EUROCARS (3705 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304 AT (888) 701-6470), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA complaint #11024685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.