2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED. AFTER THE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF FRESNO (7055 N PALM AVE, FRESNO, CA 93650, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSTIC RESULT INDICATED THAT THE 48 VOLT BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AWAITING REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…

Owner-reported narrative. 743 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406950 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 12/12/2021 AND TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE CAR HAD WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD "COOLANT TOO HOT, STOP THE VEHICLE" ON THE HIGHWAY -NJ TUNPIKE. IT STARTED SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN TO BELOW 20MPH, NEARLY KILLED ME WHILE I TRIED TO PULL IT OVER. THEN THE DEALER SERVICE SAID IT HAD DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. THEN LAST WEEK 4/13/21 - 4 MONTH,ABOUT 2800 MILEGE ON IT, IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL., JUMP START DIDN'T EVEN WORK. SO I WAS STRANDED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. IT GOT TOWED AND THEY SAID IT HAD DEFECTIVE BATTERY. SO HOW MANY…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413260 at NHTSA ↗

48Volt battery failed after three months and just 3,400 miles. I understand this is a recurring problem with Mercedes. Car had to be towed as the vehicle was totally inoperable due to battery malfunction. It took more than three weeks for Mercedes to provide a replacement battery. From what I have read, there is a strong likelihood that the battery will fail again.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427592 at NHTSA ↗

The 48 volt battery on this mild hybrid vehicle failed and the car was unable to be started on May 3, 2021, with 196 miles on the odometer, a mere 15 days after delivery. It had to be taken by flatbed to the dealer where ultimately the 48 volt battery was replaced. Then again on June 5, 2021, the car was again unable to be started, with a mere 735 miles on the odometer. Again, the car had to be taken by flatbed to the dealer, where ultimately the 48 volt battery was replaced a second time. While both failures, fortunately, happened while th…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441712 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that the vehicle speed control was always inadvertently activated, which caused the vehicle to decelerate automatically. The failure nearly caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would call back. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11445405 at NHTSA ↗

Mercedes Benz issued a recall (Manufacturer Recall Number 2021060021; NHTSA Recall Number 21V354) in May 2021. The recall affects my vehicle's MBUX multimedia system, most importantly, the backup camera, which may fail while in use if this issue is not remedied. I was advised of the recall by them in July 2021. To date they have failed to remedy this safety recall. I have contacted Mercedes Benz several times (most recently on 03/21/2022) and they are unable or unwilling to provide a date when this safety issue will be remedied.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457978 at NHTSA ↗

After the car sits for three or more days, brakes locks up. It takes lots of power to get the brakes to release. It’s a safety concern as the car is parked in the garage with not enough room to maneuver. We never had any car which locks the brakes in this manner. Took it to MB dealer and they say it’s the way brakes are designed. A complete nonsense.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11470644 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2020-10-30 (October 30, 2020)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 E350 and E450, 2019-2021 AMG E53 and 2020-2021 AMG E63 vehicles. The front passenger seat may be missing the mechanical seat adjustment range limit stop, allowing the seat to move outside of the acceptable range in relation to the air bag.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat is adjusted beyond the acceptable range in relation to the air bag, there could be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash with air bag deployment.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the mechanical seat adjustment range limitation for the front passenger seat and install it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-368-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020110013.

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: 2021-03-26 (March 26, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 E350, E450, E450 Wagon, E63S AMG, 2020 E63S AMG Wagon, and 2020-2021 E53 AMG vehicles. The passenger seat limiter may allow the seat to be positioned too close to the air bag.

Consequence: A seat too close to the air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the frontal passenger air bag.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the passenger seat limiter, free of charge. The recall began April 29, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040002.

Reported: 2021-04-01 (April 1, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 E350, E450, E450 Wagon, and AMG E63 vehicles. The parking control unit may fail to display the rearview camera image and cause the parking sensors to misidentify or fail to detect objects.

Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera display and/or parking sensors can reduce the driver's view and awareness of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: All affected vehicles are still within MBUSA's control. MBUSA will replace the parking control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2021. Owner may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Reported: 2021-04-01 (April 1, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch may prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.

Consequence: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040016.

Reported: 2021-05-14 (May 14, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX multimedia system software may cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.

Reported: 2021-05-28 (May 28, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C300 Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG S Cabriolet, E450 Cabriolet, and E53 AMG Cabriolet vehicles. The rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks.

Consequence: Incorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060010.

Reported: 2021-06-25 (June 25, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 G550, AMG G63, E350, E450, AMG CLS53, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, AMG GT63, 2021-2022 CLS450, and AMG E63 vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owners notified of the voluntary recall campaign by an interim letter on August 13, 2021. A final letter was mailed on September 24, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Reported: 2021-07-12 (July 12, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.

Consequence: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021070032/33.

Reported: 2022-03-25 (March 25, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, EClass Coupe/Convertible, CLS, AMG GT 4-doors Coupe, and EQS vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel. Due to a software error in the hand detection control unit, the hands-off detection might not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel when using the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC system.

Consequence: Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.

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: 2022-05-20 (May 20, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

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

Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

Reported: 2022-09-30 (September 30, 2022)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 CLS450 Coupe and AMG E53, 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 Coupe, and 2021-2022 E450 vehicles. The 12-Volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured, which, in the event of a crash, can cause electrical connection failure, disabling various safety features including, emergency call (eCall) system, electric seat adjustment, hazard warning lights, and automatic door locks.

Consequence: The inability to operate safety features (eCall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will secure the 12V battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022100009.

Reported: 2024-02-09 (February 9, 2024)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 CLS450, E450, E450 All-Terrain, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, and 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment may not be tightened properly and may result in the ground cable overheating.

Consequence: An overheated ground cable increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024MMNNNN.