2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
131 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
32,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 55 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 131 complaints (28.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 15 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 10.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 9.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 8.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 37 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
Engine: 37; Electrical System: 22; Fuel/Propulsion System: 20; Unknown Or Other: 18; Power Train: 15; Steering: 12; Structure:Body: 10; Air Bags: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 76 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2017: 9; 2018: 15; 2019: 6; 2020: 4; 2021: 14; 2022: 15; 2023: 19; 2024: 23; 2025: 18; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11031108 · 2018-03-09 (March 9, 2018)
2017 MERCEDES BENZ E300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF STEERING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11031108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11080358 · 2018-03-20 (March 20, 2018)
ESP INOPERATIVE AND ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST WARNINGS APPEARED IN INSTRUMENT PANEL. CAR THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH ON A MAIN ROAD. NO BRAKES, NO STEERING, NO ACCELERATION. FUEL ODORS WERE PROMINENT. AFTER RESTARTING CAR, SAFELY MADE IT TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE/REPRODUCE ISSUE BUT PERFORMED 'RESET'. ERROR MESSAGES APPEARED AGAIN 03/19/18. 2ND TRIP TO DEALER UNDERWAY. DEALER OFFERED TO PICK UP CAR FOR ME UNDERSTANDING MY EXPERIENCE JUST A WEEK PRIOR.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11080358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10967270 · 2017-03-20 (March 20, 2017)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, THE BRAKES SCREECHED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST AND "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10967270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11011004 · 2017-07-27 (July 27, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DELRAY MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11011004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11231952 · 2019-07-15 (July 15, 2019)
WHEN APPLYING GAS AFTER BRAKING, THE CAR HAS AN INTERMITTENT STUTTER. THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE PROBLEM APPEARED. LOCAL DEALER CALLS IT NORMAL
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11231952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11490306 · 2022-10-21 (October 21, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced jerking and hesitation and erroneously switched from the automatic transmission to the manual transmission position, without the transmission selector being switched. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not yet notified of failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11490306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10957617 · 2017-02-28 (February 28, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,600. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10957617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11389383 · 2021-01-22 (January 22, 2021)
STRONG SMELL OF PETROL IN THE MORNINGS, SEEMS TO BE UNDER THE HOOD. I INSPECTED THE FUEL LINES FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE ENGINE UNDERNEATH AND COULD NOT FIND ANY DRIPS OR WETNESS. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE 2017 MERCEDES E300
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497483 · 2022-12-14 (December 14, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and the contact was made aware of a failed piston. The contact was informed that further diagnostic testing on the engine was needed. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11497483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11524066 · 2023-05-26 (May 26, 2023)
Having a Mercedes was my dream since I was a kid and I’m completely heartbroken to have to file this complaint. I’ve been working literally my whole life to finally be able to afford my 2017 E300. I purchased it from Autobahn Motors in Belmont, California in August 2020. My car has ~48,000 miles on it and I still own approximately $14,000 on the car as of today (5/20/2023). When I was driving on the highway my car engine light came on, started to violently shake, and I thought it was going to stall out. I immediately took it in to my mechanic a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11524066 at NHTSA ↗