2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400: complaints, problems and recalls

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E400 4MATIC WAGON WITH PREMIUM PACKAGE 3 THAT INCLUDES ALL OF THE AVAILABLE DRIVER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (SEMI AUTONOMOUS STEERING, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE KEEP ASSISTANCE, BLINDSPOT DETECTION, AUTOMATIC PARKING ASSIST, CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT). ACCORDING TO MERCEDES, THE PROGRAM TITLED DRIVE PILOT WITH STEER ASSIST, IS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE WHEN THERE ARE LANE MARKINGS OR EVEN FOLLOW A CAR AHEAD IF THERE ARE NO LANE MARKINGS. WELL, THIS SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE. IT CAN'T STAY CENTERED IN THE LAN…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11100119 at NHTSA ↗

WINDSHIELD WAS STRUCK BY A ROCK AND AN INCH HORIZONTAL CRACK HAS SINCE POPPED UP. CAR WAS PURCHASED 06/28. HAD MANY CARS BEFORE & NEVER HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. GM & CHRYSLER. THIS IS MY FIRST FOREIGN MADE CAR & LOW AND BEHOLD, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A ROCK. THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE WITH MB.

Owner-reported narrative. 430 miles reported. Look up ODI 11115056 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING IN THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE TRAVELING FROM MIAMI I STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION TO GO TO THE RESTROOM AND WHEN I CAME BACK MY CAR HAD A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD TO GET THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE GAS STATION, OPENED THE HOOD AND PUT DOWN THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. MY CONCERN WAS NOT JUST MY SAFETY BUT THE FACT THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO THE GAS STATION. THERE WAS 0 WARNING AND NO ERRATIC BEHAVIOUR FROM THE CAR BEFORE THIS.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11164363 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E400C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEVERLY HILLS AT [phone removed] (LOCATED AT 9250 BEVERLY BLVD, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TR *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11220714 at NHTSA ↗

GOING THRU INTERSECTION AT FLANDERS RD AND MONTAUK HIGHWAY IN HAMPTON BAYS NY AT 15-20 MPH THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11296816 at NHTSA ↗

ON MAY 30, 2020, AROUND 3 PM, MY SON WAS THE DRIVER AND MY WIFE AND I WERE THE PASSENGERS DRIVING IN JERSEY CITY, NJ (USA). WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE ROAD, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND IT SHOWED A CAR WITH ZIG ZAG LINES AND STATED INOPERABLE. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN A DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITH CARS GOING AROUND US. THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WE TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR MANY TIMES WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON AND STATING INOPERABLE. AFTER A LIT…

Owner-reported narrative. 22,777 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327065 at NHTSA ↗

ON MY CABRIOLET, THE CORDS THAT ATTACH THE HEADLINER TO THE ROOF FRAY, CAUSING THE TOP TO NOT BE ABLE TO CLOSE OR OPEN. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE, AND CORDS ARE FRAYED AGAIN, SO THIS WILL BE THIRD TRIP. MERCEDES HAS A "FIX" FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THE FIX DOES NOT WORK.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11405487 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT SEATBELTS DON'T RETRACT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11405488 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2018-03-29 (March 29, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 C43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C300 Cabriolet, C43 AMG 4Matic Cabriolet and C63S AMG Cabriolet, 2017 C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe, 2018 E400 Coupe and E400 4Matic Coupe vehicles. The seatbacks of the front seats may not properly lock on the right side of the seat.

Consequence: If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the locking of the seatbacks, replacing the seatbacks lock, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 25, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018040007.

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

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabrio and E400 4Matic Cabrio vehicles. The child seat anchoring system (ISOFIX) in these vehicles may not have been properly installed. As a result, in the event of a crash, the ISOFIX console may partially detach from the car body.

Consequence: If the ISOFIX console partially detaches in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury for a child in a child seat.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ISOFIX console, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018080015.

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: 2018-11-29 (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: 2018-12-07 (December 7, 2018)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe and one C300 4Matic Coupe. The steering coupling may not have been correctly locked during manufacturing.

Consequence: If the steering connection was not properly locked, the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering rack may come loose, reducing steering ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling and lock it correctly if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018120010.

Reported: 2019-02-26 (February 26, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Cabriolet, C300 Coupe, AMG C43 Coupe, C300 4MATIC Cabriolet, C300 4MATIC Coupe, AMG C43 Cabriolet, AMG C63 Cabriolet, AMG C63 Coupe, AMG C63 S Cabriolet and AMG C63 S Coupe vehicles and 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, E400 4MATIC Cabriolet and E400 4MATIC Coupe vehicles. The seatbacks of the front seats may not properly lock on the right side of the seat.

Consequence: If the seatback does not properly lock, in the event of a crash, the seatbacks may fold forward, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the locking of the seatback on the affected vehicles and replace the seatback lock, as necessary, free of charge. An interim owner letter was mailed on April 12, 2019 to notify owners. Owners will receive a second notification when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019040007.

Reported: 2019-09-23 (September 23, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 E450 4MATIC Wagon, 2017-2018 E400 4MATIC Wagon, and 2018-2019 E63S 4MATIC Wagon vehicles. The rear spoiler may detach.

Consequence: If the spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-849. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019090008.

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.

Reported: 2022-04-08 (April 8, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.

Reported: 2025-01-17 (January 17, 2025)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E 400 Cabriolet, E 400 Coupe, 2019 E 450 Cabriolet, and E 450 Coupe vehicles. The tires were incorrectly marked with the wrong maximum inflation pressure and may not meet the strength requirements for the stated pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 139, "New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles."

Consequence: Tires inflated to an incorrect maximum pressure may have insufficient strength, allowing the tires to fail and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025010008.