2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Problems & Owner Complaints

Electrical System 7 1 fire

“FIRE FIRE FIRE Information light came on just saying 12 Volt Battery. I sat in the car letting it idle for about 3 minutes. It began to smoke and then burst into flames. I called 911 got the fire department here but by the time they were here there was not much left. The car essentially burned to the ground and insurance has declared it a total loss. Car was in my driveway, was certainly a danger to me, to my house and to my neighbor's cars and house.”
NHTSA complaint #11629406, 2024 · fire

“Vehicle: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan (W213) VIN: [XXX] While operating the vehicle, the diagnostic system displayed the fault code P240200 related to the Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP). The warning message indicated a “positive short circuit” in the fuel vapor leak diagnosis pump control circuit. The malfunction appears to involve the EVAP diagnostic module and/or associated electrical wiring near the fuel system. The affected component may be available for inspection upon request. The issue raises safety concerns because the fault involves an electrical short circuit associate…”
NHTSA complaint #11736678, 2026

“1) Rear view camera sometimes working, some times not working. (Message reads “system inoperative “ 2) Forward view camera also affected. 3) display shown “12V battery low in battery “ 4) Not long ago, just had vehicle suddenly vibrating vigorously while backing up from parking and during driving. Gas paddle not responding when stepping down, ( vehicle was then towed to dealer and they updated some kind of electrical thing)”
NHTSA complaint #11649636, 2025

Engine 6 1 fire

“FIRE FIRE FIRE Information light came on just saying 12 Volt Battery. I sat in the car letting it idle for about 3 minutes. It began to smoke and then burst into flames. I called 911 got the fire department here but by the time they were here there was not much left. The car essentially burned to the ground and insurance has declared it a total loss. Car was in my driveway, was certainly a danger to me, to my house and to my neighbor's cars and house.”
NHTSA complaint #11629406, 2024 · fire

“Engine keeps having a misfire that Mercedes put a TSB out for and once the misfire happen I cause the vehicle to go in a limp mode which causes the vehicle to loose power happened to me in the freeway. The car had 54K miles and Mercedes refused to repair the issue as the engine part failure isn’t common.”
NHTSA complaint #11707258, 2025

“My 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 (VIN [XXX] ) developed a serious engine issue involving cylinder misfire and check engine light. The dealer diagnosed it as a leaking exhaust valve on cylinder 4, related to TSB LI01.30-P-072328, which documents valve seat wear in M260 engines. This is a known defect acknowledged by Mercedes in technical bulletins, and other customers in the U.S. have received warranty extensions or goodwill coverage. I was denied coverage even though this is a manufacturer defect that can lead to misfire, power loss, and potential stalling, posing a safety risk on the road. Merced…”
NHTSA complaint #11673376, 2025

Back Over Prevention 3

“1) Rear view camera sometimes working, some times not working. (Message reads “system inoperative “ 2) Forward view camera also affected. 3) display shown “12V battery low in battery “ 4) Not long ago, just had vehicle suddenly vibrating vigorously while backing up from parking and during driving. Gas paddle not responding when stepping down, ( vehicle was then towed to dealer and they updated some kind of electrical thing)”
NHTSA complaint #11649636, 2025

“I was parking and the 360 view sensor did not come up. When I tried to back out and move forward again, I realized the back up camera would not come on. I turned the car on and off and then tried again to reverse to engage the camera but was instead given a message that says system inoperative.”
NHTSA complaint #11589422, 2024

“When in reverse, sometimes the rearview camera image does not come and and the parking sensors do not work. 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. This has been happening over the last 2 years infrequently. When the issue was brought up at the dealer during service, their recommendation was to bring the vehicle in immediately at the time it occurs, but I haven't been able to do so with work. Now this issue is happening more frequently. There is a campaign online…”
NHTSA complaint #11560848, 2022

Fuel/Propulsion System 2

“Vehicle: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan (W213) VIN: [XXX] While operating the vehicle, the diagnostic system displayed the fault code P240200 related to the Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP). The warning message indicated a “positive short circuit” in the fuel vapor leak diagnosis pump control circuit. The malfunction appears to involve the EVAP diagnostic module and/or associated electrical wiring near the fuel system. The affected component may be available for inspection upon request. The issue raises safety concerns because the fault involves an electrical short circuit associate…”
NHTSA complaint #11736678, 2026

“The engine is misfiring and not powering correctly during driving. Car is failing to take off and today almost caused an accident due to the car would not pull off from the traffic light with oncoming traffic due to loss of power. Safety was at risk due to an accident was almost caused due to car not moving in on coming traffic Dealership is citing that is needs to have a cylinder replaced but will not tell me why it needs to be replaced, why this has happened or what could have been done pre maintenance to avoid this issue Check engine light came on Dealer has been contacted, and was told th…”
NHTSA complaint #11571057, 2024

Power Train 2

“With the car only have about 15,000 miles the transmission has failed . I have seen there have been recalls of other models with similar complaints of transmission failure .”
NHTSA complaint #11708688, 2025

“The Mercedes E350, with 22,000 miles suffered a catastrophic transmission failure while driving on the highway. I managed to exit the highway but the car could not be moved and left me stranded.”
NHTSA complaint #11672435, 2025

Unknown Or Other 2

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11457978, 2021

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11445405, 2021

Fuel System 1

“The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11567020, 2024

Service Brakes 1

“The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle the emergency brake independently seized. The contact stated that the vehicle abruptly stopped. The vehicle would not drive forward or backward. The contact contacted the dealer and a service technician was dispatched to the location. The service technician connected the vehicle to the diagnostic equipment. The contact was advised that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake caliber voltage malfunction and the brake caliber…”
NHTSA complaint #11578960, 2024

Wheels 1

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11470644, 2022