What are the most common problems on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

NHTSA has 185 owner complaint(s) on record for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, cited in 56 of 185 filed complaints (30%).

Problems › Mercedes-Benz › 2013 E-Class

2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Problems & Owner Complaints

185 NHTSA owner complaints

16 crash 4 fire 13 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~13.2 complaints per year on the road — ranking 6 of 15 Mercedes-Benz E-Class years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, cited in 56 of 185 filed complaints (30%).

Service Brakes is next (34 complaints, 18%), followed by Structure (22), Engine (17), Suspension (16).

Across all complaints, 16 report a crash, 4 report a fire, 13 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Vehicle Speed Control: 6 crash, 1 fire, 7 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 185.

Air Bags 56 2 crash 2 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND HAD ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER THE PARKING BARRIER AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD FOR ADDITIONAL 25-30 FEET BEFORE HITTING A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED IN THE CRASH; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS TREATED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HER RIBS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOT…”
NHTSA complaint #11339964, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“ACCIDENT IN WHICH VEHICLE WILL BE TOTALED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HIT A POLE ON CENTER DIVIDER. MERCEDES ROADSIDE WAS ON SCENE IN MINUTES AND TOWED MY CAR. THEY SAID THE SYSTEM ALERTED THEM TO THE CRASH.”
NHTSA complaint #11203842, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V017000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the recall notification stated mobile repair service was available however, the contact was declined the mobile repair service. The contact stated that she had been attempting to have the recall repair completed for almost a year. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The c…”
NHTSA complaint #11613811, 2024

Service Brakes 34 1 crash 2 injury

“1: The accelerator was sticking and i could not get the car to stop even when i was pressing on the brakes . Unfortunately, due to this scary event i hit the car in front of me injuring the the gentleman. the vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance as it was a total loss withn damages more than 14k”
NHTSA complaint #11718391, 2026 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“The rear subframe needs fixing. And they are putting my car on hold for 3 weeks, denied a loaner car, and I have to get back to work.”
NHTSA complaint #11693224, 2025

“I took car to dealer to have subframe repaired due to rust and the brake lines are rusted as well due to this issue and i am being charged for the brake lines.”
NHTSA complaint #11689488, 2025

Structure 22 4 crash 2 injury

“SUSPENSION ISSUES, I JUST PLACED 4 NEW TIRES ON MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2018. ON DEC 28, 2019 MY CAR FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS UNSCREWING ALL OF MY WHEELS OFF AND I SPENT OUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GET MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO SHARE GROUND CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS 100.000 MILES. MBUSA DIRECTED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE SPEC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND NEVER DID. I GOOGLED INFO REGARDING MY ISSUES AND SAW THIS SITE AND WAS LIKE WOW.”
NHTSA complaint #11204985, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“SUSPENSION ISSUES, I JUST PLACED 4 NEW TIRES ON MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2018. ON DEC 28, 2019 MY CAR FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS UNSCREWING ALL OF MY WHEELS OFF AND I SPENT OUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GET MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO SHARE GROUND CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS 100.000 MILES. MBUSA DIRECTED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE SPEC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND NEVER DID. I GOOGLED INFO REGARDING MY ISSUES AND SAW THIS SITE AND WAS LIKE WOW. IT WAS RAINING AND I WAS DOING 60 MILES NOTHING MORE.”
NHTSA complaint #11204992, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Engine 17 2 crash 2 fire 2 injury

“THE VEHICLE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE WHILE BEING PARKED.”
NHTSA complaint #11365290, 2020 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“A Summary of the May 9, 2021, event follows: 6:30 a.m: I Woke up, put on gym clothes and shoes and drove to gym (1 mile from home). 7:01:40 a.m. Turned into the gym parking lot and slowly inched into a parking space. (my Mercedes rides low in the front so I pull in slowly so the block will not scrape my bumper). 7:02:00 a.m. As I pull slowly into the parking space the car stalls and the engine begins revving very loud. I firmly press my right foot (foot was already on the brake as I was inching into the space) on the brake because the car is still making that revving sound. 7:02:15 a.m. The c…”
NHTSA complaint #11418645, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was smoking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the local dealer an hour before the failure and was diagnosed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil. Additionally, the contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the local dealer had concealed the condition of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,…”
NHTSA complaint #11424080, 2021 · fire

Suspension 16 3 crash 1 injury

“SUSPENSION ISSUES, I JUST PLACED 4 NEW TIRES ON MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2018. ON DEC 28, 2019 MY CAR FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS UNSCREWING ALL OF MY WHEELS OFF AND I SPENT OUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GET MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO SHARE GROUND CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS 100.000 MILES. MBUSA DIRECTED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE SPEC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND NEVER DID. I GOOGLED INFO REGARDING MY ISSUES AND SAW THIS SITE AND WAS LIKE WOW. IT WAS RAINING AND I WAS DOING 60 MILES NOTHING MORE.”
NHTSA complaint #11204992, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“My vehicle was pulling in the rear when braking. My mechanic informed me that it was a rotted undercarriage. When I called Mercedes they informed me that there is a problem with many models of Mercedes with this. They told me there is a warranty to cover it. This is a very dangerous condition. There should be a recall on all impacted vehicles. This safety failure and lack of transparency by the company (reportedly known for years) puts owners and motorists at risk. Please investigate. To make matters worse, the Dealers are unresponsive and slow to provide service and help. One dealership, Merc…”
NHTSA complaint #11561703, 2023 · crash

Electrical System 15 2 crash 2 injury

“While driving, car suddenly goes to park, and stops , I was rear ended because of the sudden stop. When approaching red light, as soon as I start slowing down, it would without warning change gear to Park and would stop. In a heavy traffic, as soon as I started slowing down would go straight to Park and stop on the middle of highway. Mercedes Benz is aware of this problem, since they issued a bulletin for EIS ( Electronic ignition switch)”
NHTSA complaint #11501610, 2022 · crash

“my car has always had an issue with the extension of the steering column. On [XXX] I had the experience of my entire steering wheel locking up totally. once I reached the repair center of Mercedes Benz I was informed that the anti theft system was no longer working. I was also informed there were several cars in the dealership with the identical same problem.. this was a very dangerous experience and has and will cost me a lot of money, as well as a safety issue as I was traveling from Atlanta to tx, 4 hrs out managed to pull off the hwy and that's where my car was towed from, leaving me in t…”
NHTSA complaint #11647784, 2025

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Unknown Or Other 15 2 crash 2 fire 2 injury

“THE VEHICLE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE WHILE BEING PARKED.”
NHTSA complaint #11365290, 2020 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING HOME, I HEAR SOMETHING PULL A LOOSE AND A SIZZLING SOUND. PULLED OVER TO CHECK TIRES, THEY WERE OK. PULLED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD LOUD SOUNDS OF METAL AS THOUGH EVERYTHING UNDER MY CAR WAS BREAKING APART. PULL OVER AGAIN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THE NOISE STOPPED. OPENED DOOR AND NOTICE SMOKE (THOUGHT TO BE FLUIDS) AND FELT HEAT ON THE FLOOR BOARD. OPEN DOOR AGAIN AND SAW FIRE.”
NHTSA complaint #11352831, 2020 · fire

Steering 11 2 crash 2 injury

“SUSPENSION ISSUES, I JUST PLACED 4 NEW TIRES ON MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2018. ON DEC 28, 2019 MY CAR FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS UNSCREWING ALL OF MY WHEELS OFF AND I SPENT OUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GET MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO SHARE GROUND CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS 100.000 MILES. MBUSA DIRECTED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE SPEC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND NEVER DID. I GOOGLED INFO REGARDING MY ISSUES AND SAW THIS SITE AND WAS LIKE WOW. IT WAS RAINING AND I WAS DOING 60 MILES NOTHING MORE.”
NHTSA complaint #11204992, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Car difficult to control found to have corroded sub frame and rear break lines. Very unsafe to drive brought to independent dealer who had car towed back to Mercedes. No warning lamps, or other symptoms prior to failure. Scary situation.”
NHTSA complaint #11688243, 2025

Vehicle Speed Control 9 6 crash 1 fire 7 injury

“WHILE PARALLEL PARKING IN FRONT OF A SMALL RESTAURANT IN A LARGE NORTH TEXAS CITY THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AT A HIGH SPEED BACKWARDS, CLIMBING OVER A SIDEWALK CURB AN THEN CLIMBED OVER A NEARLY 3 FOOT HIGH RETAINING WALL. THE REAR END OF THE CAR RESTED ON TOP OF THE RETAINING WALL. IF THE RETAINING WALL BETWEEN THE SIDE WALK AND THE RESTAURANT HAD NOT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE LIKELY CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED AND GONE THROUGH THE RESTAURANT. MAY HAVE BEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM OR RELATED ACCELERATION SYSTEM.”
NHTSA complaint #10945397, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND FOOT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES TO ARM, CHEST, AND NECK. ALSO, SUFFERED SEVERE PAIN TO CHEST WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,043. ...UPDATED 04/19/16 *BF *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10850440, 2016 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

Wheels 9 3 crash 2 injury

“SUSPENSION ISSUES, I JUST PLACED 4 NEW TIRES ON MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2018. ON DEC 28, 2019 MY CAR FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS UNSCREWING ALL OF MY WHEELS OFF AND I SPENT OUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GET MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO SHARE GROUND CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS 100.000 MILES. MBUSA DIRECTED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE SPEC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND NEVER DID. I GOOGLED INFO REGARDING MY ISSUES AND SAW THIS SITE AND WAS LIKE WOW. IT WAS RAINING AND I WAS DOING 60 MILES NOTHING MORE.”
NHTSA complaint #11204992, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Power Train 8 2 crash 1 fire

“MY CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WHICH IS LEVEL. MY SON AND I GOT INTO THE CAR, AND I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO LEAVE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. WITH THE CAR STILL PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND WITH THE ENGINE OFF, MY SON AND I EXITED THE CAR, AND I WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE TO GET THE KEYS TO ANOTHER CAR. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER WHEN MY SON AND I WERE IN THE OTHER CAR (PARKED ON THE STREET) GETTING READY TO LEAVE, WE SAW MY CAR, WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR, EXIT THE GARAGE AND GO DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE PLANTS AND ROCKS IN MY FRONT YARD.”
NHTSA complaint #10936599, 2016 · crash

Fuel/Propulsion System 7 1 crash 1 injury

“I am the owner of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 and am writing to formally express my concern regarding a persistent fuel leak issue I have experienced with my vehicle. Over the past months, I have spent more than $4,000 attempting to address this problem. Repairs have included the replacement of the fuel canister and the fuel pump. Despite these efforts, the vehicle continues to leak fuel from the area near the rear right tire, both when the vehicle is in motion and when it is parked. This issue presents a significant safety risk, not only to myself but to others on the road. I am aware that th…”
NHTSA complaint #11674131, 2024

“Gas smell from left rear of vehicle wheel well. As fuel smell inside of car”
NHTSA complaint #11444940, 2021

Visibility 6 1 injury

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 55 mph, the sunroof sliding door detached and fell on her right shoulder and head. The driver sustained headaches for a couple of days but did not seek medical attention. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the airflow panel to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11482381, 2022 · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle through a car wash, water started leaking into the vehicle from around the sunroof frame. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V874000 (Visibility); however, neither the VIN nor the model year was included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11714458, 2025

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the front end of the panoramic sunroof allowed water to leak into the vehicle during inclement weather. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further research, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V918000 (Visibility) and 21V197000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,0…”
NHTSA complaint #11633084, 2024

Forward Collision Avoidance 5

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the vehicle brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. During the failure, the "Forward Collision Avoidance" feature had malfunctioned. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two separate occasions. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 20,800.”
NHTSA complaint #11576789, 2024

“Pre-safe inoperative warning message comes on at random times. I’ve taken the vehicle in to address this issue, but Mercedes claims they did not see the message, and there are no error codes. I purchased this vehicle because it comes with this safety feature - I find it unacceptable that it does not function.”
NHTSA complaint #11429988, 2021

Fuel System 5

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11673272, 2025

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that an abnormal, fuel odor was coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact later noticed a small leak coming from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel leak was caused by severe corrosion to the subframe. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11495598, 2022

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the fuel odor was present on the outside of the vehicle. The contact did not see fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and after removing the rear seats from the vehicle, the mechanic became aware of a fuel leak inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated…”
NHTSA complaint #11472473, 2022

Tires 3

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350W4 equipped with Continental Tires, Tires Line: Continental Pure Contact IS, Tires Size: 245/40/R18 and DOT Number: AF2PWD41. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the tires appeared deflated. The contact added air to the tires; however, the failure recurred the following morning. The contact added air to the tire. The contact stated that the failure occurred in low-temperature weather. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The tires were…”
NHTSA complaint #11578337, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS 20 LBS OF PRESSURE INTERMITTENTLY DROPPING TO 0. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10759181, 2015

“THE TIRES SPECIFIED FOR MY 2013 MERCEDES E350 ARE CONTINENTAL 245 40 R 18S. THESE LOW PROFILE TIRES MAY BE FINE ON THE AUTOBAHN - BUT THEY ARE DANGEROUS ON U.S ROADS WITH POTHOLES. IN FEWER THAN 2 YEARS, THE CAR VIOLENTLY BLEW OUT 5 NEW TIRES AS A RESULT OF POTHOLES (WHICH WERE NOT THAT BIG/DEEP). MERCEDES IS CLEARLY AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS TIRE ISSUE - ITS REACTION TO THE PROBLEM IS TO IGNORE THE DANGER AND CAPITALIZE ON IT BY OFFERING TIRE REPLACEMENT INSURANCE (ABOUT $800). FOR ME, THE BLOWOUTS FORTUNATELY DID NOT RESULT IN CRASHES OR INJURIES - BUT, THEY CERTAINLY COULD HAVE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10662909, 2014

Seat Belts 2

“MY CAR SPAT THE SEATBELT OUT, THE ENTIRE SEATBELT WAS THROWN OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ABOUT 40-50MPH. IT HAPPEN ON A STATE ROUTE. THIS HAPPEN ONCE ON 11/27/18 AND TODAY AGAIN THE DATE OF THIS REPORT. WILL TAKE IT TO DEALER FOR DUCUMENTATION.”
NHTSA complaint #11174878, 2019

“PRE-SAFE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SEE OPERATORS MANUEL INSTRUCTED TO TAKE TO DEALER.REPAIR INVOLVES DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN WARNING LIGHT CAME ON.”
NHTSA complaint #11053619, 2017

Visibility/Wiper 2

“The 2013 Mercedes Benz E350 model has a problem wherein the windshield sealant used by Mercedes Benz has deteriorated to the point wherein water is leaking into the car cabin. The windshield is supposed to be an integral structural part of the vehicle and should not separate from the car. The separation of the windshield from the car is a huge safety risk to the driver as well as others on the road - especially if the driver is going at speeds of 65MPH on the freeway. The vehicle and the windshield was inspected by the authorised and official Mercedes Benz dealership and they confirmed t…”
NHTSA complaint #11509874, 2023

“I WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER WORK DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ONE AFTERNOON AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG I PULLED OVER TO SEE IF A ROCK OR ROAD DEBRIS HAD HIT MY CAR. I COULD NOT FIND ANY SIGNS OF IMPACT. LATER ON I NOTICED THAT THE PANORAMIC ROOF SECTION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF IMPACT NO ROCK CHIPS, NOTHING.”
NHTSA complaint #11204889, 2019

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for servicing, the dealer diagnosed that oil had leaked from the cam adjusters to the wiring harness and had reached the ECU. The dealer replaced the camshaft position sensors, the camshaft solenoid and the ECU. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11517088, 2022

Exterior Lighting 1

“THE BLIND SPOT ASSIST (BSA) SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS TO THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONING DURING DRIVING OR DASHBOARD MESSAGES FLASHING WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY REPORTED ON MERCEDES E350 4MATIC CARS ACROSS MULTI YEAR MODELS. MERCEDES IS UNWILLING TO SHARE DATA OF THIS SYSTEMIC FAILURES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE BSA SYSTEM COMPONENTS”
NHTSA complaint #11311616, 2020

Seats 1

“1. brake lines corroded and broke. i see there were numerous reports sent to you and nothing was done. 2. both driver and passenger seat broke in the same spot...mercedes recognized the issue in their internal bulletins. nothing was done 3. both rear springs broke on their own. no accident. car was really unstable in highway speeds”
NHTSA complaint #11631348, 2024

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class draws about 13.2 complaints per year on the road, ranking 6 of 15 among the Mercedes-Benz E-Class model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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