Mercedes Benz E400 years to avoid (and the best years)

84 NHTSA owner complaints and 18 recalls across 4 model years, 2015 to 2018. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

84complaints
18recalls
4reported crashes
2reported fires
6reported injuries

Which Mercedes Benz E400 years should you avoid?

No Mercedes Benz E400 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mercedes Benz E400 year has 18 complaints on file.

What are the best Mercedes Benz E400 years?

The Mercedes Benz E400 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2018 (15), 2015 (15) and 2017 (20). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2018	15	0.9×	4	1	0	Few red flags	Engine
2017	20	1.1×	8	0	4	Few red flags	Airbags
2016	34	1.9×	7	1	0	Few red flags	Airbags
2015	15	0.9×	7	2	2	Few red flags	Airbags

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 1 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Other systems1 (100%)

Recalls (18)

Airbags · 21V638000 · Aug 2021 · model years 2015, 2016
An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 21V058000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2017
Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Electrical system · 20V449000 · Jul 2020 · model year 2018
Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 19V787000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2015, 2016
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Structure · 19V676000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2017, 2018
If the spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V010000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V515000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
If a child seat is in the front seat and the passenger air bag is not deactivated, in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 18V513000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
If the ISOFIX console partially detaches in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury for a child in a child seat.
Exterior lighting · 18V271000 · Apr 2018 · model year 2017
If the headlight's horizontal aim is altered, a misaimed headlight may lead to an insufficiently illuminated roadway, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V627000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Steering · 17V241000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2016
If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 17V114000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 17V080000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
If the pelvis airbag or the front passenger airbag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Steering · 16V899000 · Dec 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
Structure · 16V831000 · Nov 2016 · model year 2017
The insufficient clearance may cause the panel to melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Engine · 15V505000 · Aug 2015 · model year 2016
If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the engine or exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.
Structure · 15V088000 · Feb 2015 · model year 2015
If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 14V818000 · Dec 2014 · model year 2015
If the middle position double seat belt buckle assembly fails under load such as in a severe frontal crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant.