NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E-300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURES. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SEATTLE LOCATED AT (2025 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA 98134) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CONTACT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO BE PERFORMED. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE TWO FRONT TIRES EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OF THE FAILURES BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MERCEDES BENZ OF SARASOTA (4754 CLARK RD, SARASOTA, FL 34233) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF GEORGETOWN (7401 I-35, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626, (512) 930-6150) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
For several years, the vehicle has had issues when shifting from drive to reverse or reverse to drive. I took to the dealer for repair and they claimed it was fixed. Because it is an intermittent issue, it was difficult to pinpoint when and if the issue would happen again. The vehicle is available for inspection and has been taken back to the dealer. On several occasions, since the car would not shift from drive to reverse or reverse to drive, I would have to turn off the vehicle and restart to reset. In some instances, I did not notice the car had not shifted and only after I accelerated and headed in the opposite direction. Car is at the dealer and requires a shifter module due to a steering column module error. Mercedes Benz of USA has been difficult to manage and the dealer has apparently made attempts to fix the car. That being said, I doubt that this is an isolated incident, as the E class was previously recalled for the same issue, but not this vehicle year. Power train: Automatic transmission: Control module (tcm, pcm) Recall date 2017-02-07 Recall no. 17V078000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 and E300 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module. If the internal circuit board is damaged, moving the shift lever will not select a transmission gear. Recall consequence If the vehicle does not move forward or backward as selected by the driver with the shift lever, there is an increased risk of a crash. Recall action MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column-mounted shift lever module, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
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 310-659-2980 (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
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.
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
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.
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 LANE, INSTEAD IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE PLAYING A GAME OF PONG GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE LANE MARKERS. THAT IS, WHEN IT WORKS. WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK (MOST OF THE TIME), YOU WILL BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT SUDDENLY STARTS DRIFTING OUT OF THE LANE TO FOLLOW THE CURVE OF AN OFF RAMP OR IT SUDDENLY DISABLES ITSELF BECAUSE IT CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE LANE MARKINGS ARE. THERE'S NO AUDIBLE WARNING OR BIG VISUAL CUE THE STEER ASSIST HAS ENDED, JUST A TINY LITTLE STEERING WHEEL ICON IN THE HEAD UP DISPLAY TURNS FROM GREEN TO GRAY. MERCEDES ADVERTISED THIS SYSTEM TO BE BETTER THAN OR AT LEAST ON PAR WITH TESLA'S AUTOPILOT, YET IT CAN'T READ STOP LIGHTS, CAN'T EVEN STAY IN WELL MARKED LANES AND COMBINED WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL THAT HAS NO WAY OF CHANGING HOW QUICKLY IT ACCELERATES, FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS OUT OF CONTROL. WHAT I FIND EVEN MORE DISAPPOINTING IS THAT THE MERCEDES APPARENTLY WILL NOT BE GIVEN SOFTWARE UPDATES TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM UNLIKE TESLA WHO IS CONSTANTLY PROVIDING THEIR VEHICLES WITH OVER THE AIR UPDATES. IF MERCEDES CAN'T DO OTA UPDATES FINE, BUT THEY MUST UPDATE THESE CARS ARE THE DEALERS. I FEEL LIKE THIS SYSTEM DESPERATELY NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO BE EVEN MARGINALLY FUNCTIONAL. DEALER HAS NO CLUE ABOUT THESE ISSUES BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS ONE OF THE ONLY ONES ORDERED WITH ALL OF THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
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.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND EITHER OF THE FRONT DOORS ARE OPENED, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM SLAMMING ONTO SOMEONE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS UNLESS THE VEHICLE ON A SLOPE DOWNHILL OR TOWARDS THE SIDE OF THE DOOR THAT IS OPENED. THIS HAS BRUISED MY LEGS AND MY TEEN-AGED DAUGHTER'S LEGS. I WILL NOT ALLOW MY 85 YEAR OLD FATHER TO EXIT WITHOUT SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD HIS DOOR OPEN. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS REPLACED THE HINGES ONCE UNDER WARRANTY BUT SAYS NOW THAT THEY ARE "OPERATING AS DESIGNED." I GUESS THE DESIGN IS THE PROBLEM.
ELECTRICAL WIRING AND OTHER PLASTIC TUBING DAMAGE FROM RODENTS WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY ON CITY STREET
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 LARGE DUE TO THE INCREASED TECHNOLOGY AND THEY ARE SET VERY HIGH. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH OUR SALESMAN TODAY. HIS RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT MY WIFE PRESS THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR TO FOLD IN THE MIRROR EACH TIME SHE COMES TO A STOP SIGN. NOT VERY PRACTICAL I THINK. THEY DID OFFER TO SWITCH US TO A SMALL SUV FOR AN ABSURDLY HIGH PENALTY TO BREAK OUR CURRENT LEASE. I ALSO CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY COULD OFFER NO RESOLUTION, STATING THAT THE E300 HAS A "UNIVERSAL DESIGN" TO FIT ALL DRIVER SIZES.
THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR NEEDS EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CLOSE THE DOOR SAFELY WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.