Major Problems with Mercedes-Benz E-Class Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

Custom-fit Add-ons

Torque wrench
Mechanic tool set
Tool box

Best and Worst Years for Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Model Year	Complaints
2008 E-Class	3
2006 E-Class	5
2005 E-Class	4
2004 E-Class	11
2003 E-Class	27
2002 E-Class	7
2001 E-Class	8
2000 E-Class	17
1999 E-Class	6

Worst 3 Mercedes-Benz E-Class complaints

2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Victims: 1 Mileage: 1440 miles

2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class AIR BAGS Victims: 1 Mileage: 65000 miles

2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Mileage: 130000 miles

Browse Mercedes-Benz E-Class complaints by category

Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM and GASOLINE are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Mercedes-Benz E-Class owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt*: the contact stated while driving 20 mph the engine stalled. the vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection....	11 ~ 40676 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM fuel smell when vehicle is filled up ...fuel leaking at top of fuel tank ...this is a know problem with...	9 ~ 73053 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the car exudes a very strong smell of gasoline. the gasoline odor is so strong that i can no longer...	6 ~ 93507 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION on or about june 22 2009 i was driving home on interstate 64 when the left front spring broke for...	5 ~ 56950 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING transmission problems vehicle would not shift out of park position to reverse or drive. *bf the plastic piece attached to...	5 ~ 73200 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC defective brakes. *jb...	5 ~ 46272 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY right rear window motor replaced. window had been lowered and raised approx. four times since car was purchased new in	4 ~ 84705 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING dt*: the contact stated while driving 20 mph the engine stalled. the vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection....	4 ~ 3750 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC while driving 20 mph consumer applied the brakes but they braely functioned. this caused the vehicle to hit a bus....	4 ~ 7565 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN while driving automatic transmission failed. vehicle was taken to the dealer who repaired the transmission but did not inform the...	4 ~ 43910 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM instrument cluster lighting faded to point of barely being able to see pixels in display.no temperature reading-no clock reading and...	3 ~ 61000 miles
SUSPENSION the car has been a disappointments since i got it in january 28 2003. it has had many problems and...	3 ~ 80167 miles
SERVICE BRAKES while driving at about 25 mph making a left turn the brake pedal went to the floor and i completely...	2 ~ 144000 miles
AIR BAGS tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercedes e280. the contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of...	2 ~ 60873 miles
RIM > WHEELS tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes e class with 18 inch rims. the contact stated that while driving 25...	2 ~ 6000 miles
COIL SPRINGS > SPRINGS > FRONT spring perch failed causing left front spring to brake and collapse onto tire.. fortunately the car was stopped at the	2 ~ 103530 miles
POWER TRAIN transmission problems vehicle would not shift out of park position to reverse or drive. *bf the plastic piece attached to...	2 ~ 14500 miles
TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE > TIRES transmission problems vehicle would not shift out of park position to reverse or drive. *bf the plastic piece attached to...	2 ~ 56993 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL mercedes benz e320 2004 - vehicle lurched forward at high rate of speed without operator acceleration. structural damage to home...	2 ~ 3994 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING various problems with 2001 mercedes benz e320 sr. (nar) *mr the radio did not function properly. the interior lights did...	2
EQUIPMENT the car has been a disappointments since i got it in january 28 2003. it has had many problems and...	2 ~ 2500 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE 1999 mercedes-benz e-300 and e-430 anti-noise capsule fell off***cc suddenly without warning the right front wheel leaped into the air...	2 ~ 90000 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES while entering vehicle and starting engine up door is not properly shut. there is no warning light or sound to...	2 ~ 130000 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING both right and left headlights were aimed high. *mr the problem was with the headlights which were aimed properly for...	2 ~ 54800 miles
SEATS i started the car and turned on the drivers side heated seat. i pulled out of my driveway and was...	1 ~ 66860 miles
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz e class 320 wagon which was purchased used in march 2003. he stated...	1 ~ 130000 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercedes benz e class 320 wagon which was purchased used in march 2003. he stated...	1 ~ 130000 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL the stop lamp switch which activates the stop lamps ant-lock brakes traction control mechanisms on my 2001 mercedes benz e320...	1 ~ 128431 miles
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM the stop lamp switch which activates the stop lamps ant-lock brakes traction control mechanisms on my 2001 mercedes benz e320...	1 ~ 128431 miles
VISIBILITY faulty cover on illuminated vanity mirror: 1. the design of the cover for the illuminated vanity mirror on the mercedes...	1 ~ 50023 miles
CHILD SEAT dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 mph the child was observed unlatching the lever and loosening the entire harness....	1 ~ 35000 miles
STRAP/WEBBING > HARNESS > CHILD SEAT dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 mph the child was observed unlatching the lever and loosening the entire harness....	1 ~ 35000 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES 1. hit pothole on side of road while traveling approx 10 mph. 2. flat tire 3. replace tire. this is...	1
STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercedes e 320. the contact stated that every panel on the vehicle was rusted....	1 ~ 82000 miles
BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE vehicle lost belt on the highway at 55 mph. consumer could still drive car but power steering was lost. consumer...	1 ~ 120312 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES goodyear tire defect goodyear ls tire. tirees are cupping starting at approx.15000 miles. tires must be replaced at 20000 miles....	1
BODY > STRUCTURE transmission problems vehicle would not shift out of park position to reverse or drive. *bf the plastic piece attached to...	1 ~ 14500 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > VACUUM > POWER ASSIST after receiving nhtsa recall 04v296000 made contact with the dealer. consumer was told that vehicle could not be serviced until	1 ~ 18000 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER i own a mercedes e 500 year 2004.i found out about the recall for the brake problem after i almost...	1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER i own a mercedes e 500 year 2004.i found out about the recall for the brake problem after i almost...	1
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY i own a mercedes e 500 year 2004.i found out about the recall for the brake problem after i almost...	1
RACK > RACK AND PINION > STEERING i purchased a used 2000 mercedes e320 on near the end of august 2004. approximatly 45 days later i noticed...	1
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM car purchased and always serviced at fletcher johes newport beach ca..a total of 20 plus faults and 13 weeks in...	1 ~ 5000 miles
HYDRAULIC > POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i was involved in a rear-end collision in 9-04 where my 2003 mercedes (mb) was unable to stop in time....	1
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 1999 mercedes benz e300 turbo diesel overflow fuel lines cracks and leaks. fuel drips to garage floor creating dangerous fuel/air...	1
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING i bought a used mercedes benz e320 in july 2004. i have had to replace the headlights and brake lights...	1 ~ 54800 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING i bought a used mercedes benz e320 in july 2004. i have had to replace the headlights and brake lights...	1 ~ 54800 miles
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC please see previously filed report #10083022. on monday august 2 2004 the brake failure described in the above-mentioned report occurred...	1
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS consumer stated that passenger side rear door was opened to let some people in vehicle. air bag in the door...	1
CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1- vehicle (2003 mercedes-benz e55) was traveling at 65-70 mph on garden state parkway (nj). i was approaching exit 109...	1 ~ 14180 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS while driving 20 mph consumer applied the brakes but they braely functioned. this caused the vehicle to hit a bus....	1 ~ 900 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL various problems with 2001 mercedes benz e320 sr. (nar) *mr the radio did not function properly. the interior lights did...	1
SWITCH > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING various problems with 2001 mercedes benz e320 sr. (nar) *mr the radio did not function properly. the interior lights did...	1
AUTOMATIC (ASC) > ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL various problems with 2001 mercedes benz e320 sr. (nar) *mr the radio did not function properly. the interior lights did...	1
FRONT > SEAT BELTS i acquired a 2003 mercedes e500 about a year ago and i still cannot attach my seatbelt without tiltng the...	1 ~ 1 miles
FOG LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING rear fog lamps on some european manufactured vehicles that are above the rear bumper has caused confusion and distraction to	1
CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN vehicle lunges forward and slows unexpectedly. upon acceleration will jerk back and forth as it is about to stall. ...	1 ~ 4487 miles
TORQUE CONVERTER > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN vehicle lunges forward and slows unexpectedly. upon acceleration will jerk back and forth as it is about to stall. ...	1 ~ 4487 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC mercedes benz e class and sl class 2003 2004 models with electro-hydraulic brake systems are experiencing brake failures sometimes within...	1
COLUMN SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION the vehicle wouldn't start. the consumer called roadside assistance which stated fluids spilled on the shift device. the vehicle was	1
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS the air bags on the front passenger and rear right passenger side deployed although there was no impact. the manufacturer...	1
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the vehicle is equipped with "brake assist system" which is supposed to help to engage the brake pedal faster when...	1
LAMP > BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the radio transmission and the window regulator were inoperative. the air mass sensor was defective the brake lamp had a	1
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL consumer states the brake and accelerator are designed too close together while attempting to stop vehicle consumer also pressed down...	1
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT the radio transmission and the window regulator were inoperative. the air mass sensor was defective the brake lamp had a	1

FAQ

What year Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 9 years, Mercedes-Benz E-Class models of 2008, 2005, 2006 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Mercedes-Benz E-Class models of 2003 and 2000 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

Torque wrench

EPAuto 1/2-inch Drive Click Torque Wrenc...
- Durable Ratchet Head: Made from Hardened treated Chrome Vanadium steel alloy (Cr-V) Corrosion-Retardant: Satin Finish. Made in Taiwan
- Easy Storage: A sturdy plastic storage case is included. Non-Slip Grip: Knurled handle
- Easy to Read: High...
LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISE - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat-treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONGEVITY -...
LEXIVON 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
LEXIVON 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wren...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
LEXIVON Inch Pound Torque Wrench 1/4-Inc...
- PRECISION - Ships pre-calibrated to +/- 4% accuracy and ready to use. Include calibration certificate with traceable serial number.
- DURABLE - Reinforced ratchet gear head constructed from hardened, heat treated Chrome Vanadium alloy steel.
- LONG-LASTING...
TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque ...
- Includes 1-pc. 3/8 in. drive torque wrench; Storage case; Product manual with torque conversion chart
- Wrench emits a click that can be heard and felt when the preset value is reached
- Permanently marked, high-contrast dual-range...

Mechanic tool set

Crescent 180 Pc. Professional Tool Set i...
- The Crescent Professional Tool Set has a newly designed 72T quick release ratchet
- Carefully selected assortment of hand tools for most industrial, mechanical, and consumer applications
- Get incredible access from combination wrenches with narrow heads,...
Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 215 Piece, ...
- MINIMAL ARCH SWING: 72-tooth 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. Drive Ratchets produce a 5-degree arc swing. Ideal balance between access and durability.
- VERSATILE: Comprehensive set of 1/4 in., 3/8 in. Drive Sockets and Drive Tool...
Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set, 230 Piece w...
- TACKLE A VARIETY OF PROJECTS: Complete automotive jobs and general mechanic fixes with this heavy-duty, 230-piece all-in-one mechanic tool set
- OPEN AND CLOSE THE DRAWERS WITH ONE HAND as you work with a spring-loaded locking...
DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 1/4" & 3/8" &...
- 72 tooth count ratchet providing a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
- Anti-slip driver handle provides maximum comfort
- Housed in a durable carrying case with metal latches
- Full-polish chrome for corrosion resistance
DEWALT Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Se...
- Socket sets include 72 tooth count ratchets which allow for a 5 degree arc swing for maneuverability in restricted areas
- Ratchets include a low profile directional lever to help reduce catch points and for easy...
Amazon Basics Mechanic's Tool Set with C...
- Mechanic tool kit and socket set for tackling multiple sizes and types of fasteners, especially nuts and bolts
- Includes a 201-piece set that combines most popular sockets, wrenches, hex keys, and screwdriver bits
- Both metric...

Tool box

TUFFIOM 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest w/Lo...
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: The rolling tool chest is designed with 8 drawers and 1 bottom cabinet for storing tools, small equipment or other objects. And the bottom cabinet features side hooks for hanging tools like...
beyond by BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER BDST...
- Sturdy + Stackable: Durable Auto-Lock Latches Make Connecting These Stackable Units Quick And Easy
- Quick Access: The Quick-Release On The Locking Latch Allows You To Easily Separate Each Module When Stacked For Quick Access To...
BIG RED ANTBD133-XB Torin 20" Portable 3...
- Heavy duty tool box is made of thick steel, with powder coat red paint finish, beautiful and easy to clean
- Measures 20.5" L x 8.5" W x 12" H, and is equipped with 3 drawers...
DEKOPRO 228 Piece Socket Wrench Auto Rep...
- HIGH QUALITY&STANDARDS:Forged from high-quality steel and finished in high-polish chrome,strength, durability, anti-corrosion protection.All the tools meet or exceed ANSI critical standards
- COMPLETE VARIETIES:Contains tools needed for most small repairs and basic DIY projects around the...
Torin 17-Inch Plastic Tool Box,3-Tiers M...
- Tough metal latches are solid and easy to open and close, with long use life
- Foldable three-tier tray provides you with more storage space and you can separate metric and imperial tools to take them...
CARTMAN 148 Piece Automotive and Househo...
- Comprehensive Tool Set: The Cartman 148-Piece Tool Kit includes all the crucial tools needed for everyday home repairs and maintenance, from cutting to tightening, measuring to hammering.
- Durable and Corrosion-Resistant: All tools in the kit...