Mercedes-Benz E400 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
15 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 46 of 69 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 11.6% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 7.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 46 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
Air Bags: 46; Electrical System: 5; Steering: 5; Unknown Or Other: 4; Engine: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Seats: 2; Structure: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 48 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 9; 2019: 16; 2020: 12; 2021: 11; 2022: 3; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 11040453 · 2017-10-27 (October 27, 2017)
NOT MADE AWARE OF STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING RECALL BY MANUFACTURER. ISSUE APPARENTLY STILL UNRESOLVED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11040453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11542690 · 2023-09-05 (September 5, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11542690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072118 · 2018-02-10 (February 10, 2018)
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 COLL…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11620728 · 2024-10-19 (October 19, 2024)
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 con…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11620728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11092301 · 2018-05-07 (May 7, 2018)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11092301 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 8 |
2015: 7; 2016: 7; 2017: 8