2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300: complaints, problems and recalls

THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR NEEDS EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CLOSE THE DOOR SAFELY WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11062326 at NHTSA ↗

WE LEASED A 2018 MERCEDES E300 EXACTLY ONE MONTH AGO. FOR OUR TEST DRIVE WE TOOK A SHORT TRIP TAKING ALL RIGHT TURNS. SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE CAR MY WIFE HAS HAD SERIOUS VISIBILITY PROBLEMS LOOKING TO THE LEFT, ESPECIALLY AT 4 WAY STOPS. SHE HAS HAD 2 VERY CLOSE INCIDENTS AT THESE STOPS, THE LATEST NEAR COLLISION JUST YESTERDAY. SHE IS SHORT (5 FT.) AND THE SEAT DOES NOT RAISE HIGH ENOUGH. AS A RESULT, WHEN SHE GAZES TO THE LEFT THERE IS A LARGE BLIND SPOT CREATED BY THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR. THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS IN THIS NEW MODEL ARE QUITE LA…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11065306 at NHTSA ↗

ELECTRICAL WIRING AND OTHER PLASTIC TUBING DAMAGE FROM RODENTS WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY ON CITY STREET

Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088487 at NHTSA ↗

ROOF SPOILER WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL OF: 17V246, BUT HAD FLOWN OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. ROOF SPOILER WAS REATTACHED BUT HAD FLOWN OFF AFTER 500 MILES OF DRIVING. THE ROOF SPOILER STARTED TO BANGING AGAINST THE REAR WINDSHIELD UNTIL IT FLEW OFF DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A THE HIGHWAY. THE SPOILER FLEW OFF HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY HAZARD AS IT CAN STRIKE AND KILL.

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101948 at NHTSA ↗

CONTACT STATES THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE ABOVE OR AROUND THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS BEFORE A MAKING A TURN, SPECIFICALLY A LEFT TURN. CONTACT SAYS DRIVERS SEAT HAS BEEN RAISED TO THE HIGHEST POSITION. *TT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. UPDATED 10/3/18*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11128889 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS IN AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH AND THE CAR WAS IN PARK. WHEN THE WASH WAS COMPLETE, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVED FORWARD. THE PROXIMITY SENSORS KEPT SOUNDING THOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE WAY. AFTER SHIFTING IT IN AND OUT OF GEAR, TURNING THE STEERING WHEN BACK AND FORTH AND PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CAR FINALLY SHOT FORWARD OUT OF THE WASH BAY. I LATER CALLED THE IN-CAR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY SAID THAT SOMETIME THE SENSORS GET COVERED WITH THE PRODUCTS USED IN THE CAR WASH.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,592 miles reported. Look up ODI 11132217 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND CONTROLLED BY ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 35 MPH. THE TIME WAS 12:40 PM ET ON 29 MARCH 2019. SEEMINGLY THE CAR WENT INTO CRASH PREVENTION MODE BY TIGHTENING THE SEAT BELT AND EXECUTING A MAXIMUM FORCE BRAKING STOP. THE TIRES SQUEALED. MY CHEST WAS SORE WHERE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED WITH FORCE. APPROXIMATE LOCATION: SOUTHBOUND ON LANDMARK DR. NEAR ASHCROFT CT. CLEARWATER, FL 33761. LANDMARK DR. IS A RESIDENTIAL TWO LANE ROAD RUNNING NORTH-SOUTH WITH DUAL YELLOW PAINTED CENTER MARKI…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,805 miles reported. Look up ODI 11192423 at NHTSA ↗

THE CAR ACTIVATED ITS EMERGENCY BRAKING FUNCTION UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS DRIVING ON A COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS STREET. NO CARS NO BAGS NO WIND NO ANYTHING AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH. ALL CLEAR AIR TEMP 83 DEGREES F. SUNSHINE. NO ADVERSE CONDITIONS. CAR SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON BRAKES WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR REASON WHATSOEVER. SEATBELT TIGHTENED PER PROCEDURE. FORTUNATELY THERE'S WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME TO REAR END ME. TOOK CAR STRAIGHT TO DEALER. SCANNED FOR CODES. NONE FOUND. CAR IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. NO. THERE ARE OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205093 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2018-08-03 (August 3, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300, E300 4Matic, E43 AMG 4Matic, E400 4Matic, E63S AMG 4Matic+, and 2019 CLS450 4Matic vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.

Consequence: If a child seat is in the front seat and the passenger air bag is not deactivated, in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Reported: 2018-10-15 (October 15, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 4Matic Cabrio, E300, E300 4Matic, C300, C300 4Matic, C300 Coupe and C300 Cabrio vehicles. The cover for the starter battery may not cover the live positive electrical wire, and in certain crashes, the vehicle's strut brace may deform and short circuit the battery.

Consequence: If the battery is shorted, the emergency door unlocking would be deactivated for an outside responder and the short circuit could increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive pole cover, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018110002.

Reported: 2018-11-29 (November 29, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe rear-wheel drive vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.

Consequence: A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080012.

Reported: 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E400 Wagon 4MATIC, E400 4MATIC, E43 AMG 4MATIC, 2018-2019 E63S AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E63 AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E300, E300 4MATIC, GLC63S Coupe AMG 4MATIC, 2019 CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E450 Wagon, E53 AMG 4MATIC, GLC300, GLC63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, G550 4MATIC, G63 AMG, GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC, GLC300 4MATIC, GLC350e 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, GLC43 AMG 4MATIC, GLC63 AMG 4MATIC, GT63 AMG four-door 4MATIC, and GT63S AMG four-door 4MATIC vehicles. Although correctly fastened, the front seat belts may be inaccurately detected as being unfastened, which may cause the electric PRE-SAFE®-function and the pretensioner to be deactivated.

Consequence: The electric PRE-SAFE®-function and the seat belt pretensioners may not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckles, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020020017.

Reported: 2020-07-31 (July 31, 2020)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced. The software in the replaced instrument cluster may cause the seat belt warning system to not operate properly, only displaying a solid warning light if either the driver or passenger seat belt is unfastened, instead of a blinking light with an audible tone.

Consequence: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020080015.

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

Reported: 2021-02-12 (February 12, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.

Consequence: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.