RoadVitals

2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC Wagon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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Latest Apr 3, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC Wagon. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 16 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT

Apr 3, 2026
24,092 units potentially affected
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E 400 4MATIC Sedan, E 400 4MATIC Wagon, E 400 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 400 4MATIC Coupe, 2018-2020 Maybach S 560 4MATIC, S 560 4MATIC Coupe, S 450 4MATIC, 2019-2020 E 450 4MATIC Sedan, E 450 4MATIC Wagon, E 450 4MATIC Coupe, and E 450 4MATIC Cabriolet vehicles. The drive shaft universal joint may break, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.
The risk: A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the drive shaft as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 22, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 10, 2026.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

EW - DMTL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This NCU replaces the prior NCU issued on May 15, 2025, and contains additional MY 2023 and MY 2024 vehicles which are highlighted below. In our continuing efforts to ensure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is extending the warranty coverage on the Diagnostic Module for Tank Leakage detection (DMTL) in certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles listed below from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV II) and 15 years/150,000 miles (vehicles certified as LEV III), whichever occurs first, for the following condition: •Under certain circumstances, the DMTL may trigger erroneous Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) entries that may result in the illumination of the Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (‘MIL’).

LI35.30-P-058566

POWER TRAIN

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

LI33.20-P-078406

SUSPENSION

Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. Sound file attached for comparison. MUST match noise for proper diagnosis. NOTE: Steering functionality is not affected. Cause Contact area between wheel bearing and steering knuckle. See also: LI35.30-P-058566 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Rear) LI33.30-P-056665 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Front) LI40.10-P-059248 (Wheel cracking noise when cornering) Remedy 1. Perform Operation A and evaluate by testing vehicle. 2. If noise is still present after re-testing: • If 192/232 chassis, verify FIN is in the listed range below in "Operation B" and perform. • If not 192/232 chassis or vehicle is a 192/232 not in the listed FIN range, additional verifications of where the noise is coming from are needed. Use multiple channel NVH method to narrow down location. Verify the LI's listed above were completed or if there are other similar noises associated with the chassis (Example: 192/232 also has under panel noises and an associated LI). Operation A: 1. Clean contact surfaces of wheel bearing and steering knuckle with brake cleaner as seen in the attached pictures. NOTE: The front area of the wheel bearing and the seals must not come into contact with the cleaner, otherwise, the sealing rings will be damaged. 2. Clean threads of wheel bearing mounting. 3. Thinly coat contact surfaces of wheel bearing, steering knuckle, and axle mating face with Molykote (annular joint grease). See the attached steering knuckle and wheel hub pictures for reference. NOTE: Axle mating face greasing is also covered in LI35.30-P-058566 and LI33.30-P-056665. Operation B (Only applies to 192 and 232 in listed FIN range): Only affects vehicles up to FIN end number: • Model series 192: xxx xxx xx 002 876 • Model series 232: xxx xxx xx 022 312 1. Replace steering knuckle. 2. Wheel bearings do not need to be replaced.

PSL-NCU Return Parts 6/19

ENGINE; VISIBILITY/WIPER

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, July 9, 2026. After July 9th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.

LI00.20-P-080703

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Service code B1 displayed in the customer menu does not match the workshop code displayed in the workshop menu, e.g., 505 or 550A, which includes a service A. Cause The root cause is currently being investigated. Remedy To determine the cause, the instrument cluster control unit (N133/1) and powertrain control unit (N127) logs are required before confirming the service or correction using XENTRY Diagnosis. Please open a TIPS case to BCE inbox with the requested information in the attachments.

LI46.80-P-080662

STEERING

Complaint Rattling/knocking noise from the rear axle steering is audible when driving on rough terrain or cobblestones. Large play in the rear axle steering. Cause Diverse functional play in the rear axle steering. Remedy 1. Detach underfloor paneling under rear axle steering. 2. Unscrew both holders of the rear muffler on the exhaust system and lower the rear muffler 3. Remove heat shield. 4. Remove large clamps from left bellows. 5. Slide bellows to side. The bellows can be pulled outwards to work on the screw-on stud. 6. A second person sits in the vehicle and, with the drive activated and the automatic transmission in the N position, turns the steering to left lock. Caution! Risk of trapping when steering at the same time! Do not move steering wheel during operation steps 7 and 8! 7. Clean screw-on stud of any grease using a clean, lint-free rag. => Up to the area where the stud enters the bearing! Then completely degrease the threaded stud using a lint-free cloth soaked in a suitable assembly cleaner (e.g., A 000 986 56 01); if necessary, clean hard-to-reach areas with the assembly cleaner. => Up to the area where the stud enters the bearing! Important:The surface must be thoroughly cleaned and free of grease! 8. Then apply Hylomar (A 001 989 25 20 09) all around to the degreased screw-on stud using a new brush. => Up to the area where the stud enters the bearing! 9. Move steering wheel from end stop to end stop 1-2 times. Then, turn the steering to the left lock again. Warning! Risk of trapping when steering at the same time! 10. Then apply Hylomar again. 11. Move steering wheel from end stop to end stop 1-2 times. Then, turn the steering to the right lock. Warning! Risk of trapping when steering at the same time! 12. Bellows installation: Coat contact surfaces of bellows and rack-and-pinion steering lightly with Renolit (A094 989 38 00). When doing so, ensure that the grease is underneath the edges of the bellows. Replace large clamps (A 000 995 89 08). 13. Repeat operation steps 4 to 5 on the other side. 14. Then repeat operation steps 7 to 12 for the screw-on stud on the other side. 15. Attach heat shield. 16. Install both holders of the rear muffler again. 17. Attach underfloor paneling. 18. When relocating the vehicle on the premises, please use Snow Chain Mode through the head unit. 19. Leave the Hylomar to dry for approx. 90 minutes. Note:Deactivate Snow Chain Mode after stopping the vehicle! 20. Then perform a test drive. If applying it does not resolve the problem alone, continue with the following additional steps: 1. Align vehicle and adjust track of the front and rear axle 2. Leave vehicle on axle alignment platform or drive onto another drive-on ramp lift. Vehicle must rest entirely on its wheels without relieving the load on the axles! 3. Mark the position of the eccentric screw connection between the tie rod and the tie rod mount on the rear axle steering/fork on the left and right using a thin marker. (See example in the picture: red marking between eccentric disk “B” and rear axle steering tie rod mount/fork “D”). 4. Now loosen these threaded connections on the left and right until the screws can be twisted easily. The rubber mount relaxes. 5. Connect Xentry Diagnostics. 6. Get started in the AIRMATIC control unit (N51/8) and call up the "Lifting and lowering the rear axle" menu item. Use the "Lifting and lowering the rear axle" menu to lift the rear axle. Raise the level of the vehicle to 95 mm using the "+" button (see picture). Wheels are still on the platform. Check the gauge in Xentry Diagnostics to see when the required level has been reached. 7. In this raised position, replace the nuts of both threaded connections, but do not tighten the nuts. Then, with the threaded connection still loosened, turn the eccentric screws / disks "B" back to the mark, as in the initial situation. Then tighten the screws with the required torque. 8. Lower the rear axle to the vehicle-specific normal level with Xentry

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC Wagon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020Viewing010
2019010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.