2019 Mercedes-Benz E 450 Owner Complaints

While traveling at highway speeds with adaptive cruise control safety systems engaged, the vehicle failed to detect a hazard immediately ahead in its lane. The Forward Collision Warning failed to alert the driver, and the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) failed to initiate automated emergency deceleration. Manual emergency braking was attempted by the driver in the final milliseconds, but the vehicle's braking system failed to sufficiently decelerate the vehicle, resulting in a high-energy frontal collision. Despite severe structural deformation concentrated entirely on the front fascia and crumple zones, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) completely failed and no airbags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to the neck, back, and ribs. The vehicle has been declared a total loss by insurance and is available for inspection at a salvage facility. The manufacturer was notified over a month ago (Case #21986205) but has failed to pull the Event Data Recorder (EDR) telemetry or provide an engineering review timeline. No prior warning lamps or system malfunction messages were present before the incident.

NHTSA ID

11741091

Incident

Apr 18, 2026

Backgroud: Recall #26V216 recalls classes of Mercedes vehicles for U-Joint failures. My vehicle - 2019 E460 4Matic Wagon is included in this class under the notice (Vehicle #6 [XXX] ) Issue: I took my vehicle to the dealer on Monday, 5/11 because of a hard knocking sound when I de/accelerate. Dealer inspected and noted that my Ujoint has failed. The estimate is $8100 for repairs. MB and dealer have both indicated that my VIN is not covered by the recall but have not explained why. My car is currently unsafe to drive and therefore non-operational. I have not approved repairs because of the substantial cost and resolution of whether covered by Recall warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11738092

Incident

May 11, 2026

I parked the vehicle in a parking lot. I walked away and it immediately started smoking. Shortly after that, flames appeared coming from the hood. Shortly after that, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames.

NHTSA ID

11726787

Incident

Mar 22, 2026

I was driving about 30 mph and getting on to the highway. Once I got on a beep came on from the car and every single warning light came on the car. Check engine all warnings including emergency brake collision warning the list goes on and on. I immediately got off the highway and once I got to a complete stop the car was barely accelerating. I wasn’t able to shift gears from drive I was stuck in drive. Couldn’t park the car reverse or anything. I had to turn the car off. The car didn’t turn on and then after 5 minutes it turned back on. This is 1 week after me receiving the car back for the same issue. This was the 2nd occurrence of this and when I dropped it off at the dealer they had it for 2 weeks and they “fixed” the issue. There is obviously something wrong with the car and has several problems.

NHTSA ID

11668083

Incident

Jun 8, 2025

The primary failure involved the electrical system and speed control, which posed a significant safety risk to myself and other drivers. The issue first presented itself when I noticed intermittent warning lights and error messages flashing on the dashboard, including indicators for the electronic stability program (ESP), steering assist, and lane tracking features. These malfunctions created erratic driving conditions, including unexpected acceleration delays and inconsistent cruise control behavior. Approximately one week before the vehicle was repossessed, I reported the issue to the dealership and requested inspection. However, I was not provided a definitive diagnosis or service record confirming evaluation or remediation. The vehicle was subsequently remotely disabled without proper notice or opportunity to repair, placing me at risk by stranding me in an unsafe location without functional transportation. This vehicle may have also been equipped with over-the-air control features or aftermarket immobilizers unknown to me at the time of financing. To date, I have not been able to inspect the system because the vehicle was taken from my possession under a disputed contract. I believe the problem has not been properly addressed or documented by Mercedes-Benz, and the vehicle is not currently available for inspection as it remains in the control of the finance company. Prior to this incident, no physical warning lamps were persistent, though the vehicle intermittently displayed electronic system errors, especially during startup or inclement weather. This complaint is being submitted due to serious concerns about vehicle safety, electronic control vulnerabilities, and potential manufacturer negligence. I request that NHTSA initiate a review of the E-Class E450A systems involved in driver assistance, electrical integration, and potential remote immobilization tied to finance enforcement.

NHTSA ID

11658594

Incident

Apr 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display an image of the rear of the vehicle, compromising the back over prevention system. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rearview camera display. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V232000 (Back Over Prevention), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 10,300.

NHTSA ID

11651738

Incident

Mar 31, 2025

Mileage

10,300 mi

Rear camera door doesn't open to allow camera to work

NHTSA ID

11631855

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

My tempered glass sunroof exploded while driving at 70 MPH on a clear, sunny, 86 degree afternoon sending the glass shards throughout the interior of the car. No warning or damage to the vehicle roof preceded the explosion. There was a very loud noise followed by the safety glass raining down on myself and my wife. It occurred while driving on the expressway and no other vehicles were involved. There are only glass fragments for inspection and I will take it to the dealer in the morning. I have pictures of the aftermath if requested.

NHTSA ID

11609279

Incident

Aug 18, 2024

The driver and passenger seat belts do not retract at all.

NHTSA ID

11605526

Incident

Jul 26, 2024

The car will apply electronic parking brake when put into park. If the brake is wet due to rain and the car sits overnight or for 12 hours or more, the brake sticks to the rotor. The brake will not release unless you press down on the accelerator creating a safety hazard as the car will jerk forward or in reverse. I've raised this with the MB dealer and service technician and they confirm the this Amy happen and that there is no fix. This situation creates a serious hazard.

NHTSA ID

11536999

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an unknown dealer, the check engine warning light turned on while the dealer was moving the vehicle into a parking space. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times however, the dealer diagnosed that no issues were found. The vehicle was taken to a second unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and the oil change was completed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle had been failing the Emissions test and she was informed at the State Inspection that the camshaft positioning sensor on the cylinder #1 and #2 were malfunctioning. Additionally, the contact was informed that the data in the instrument cluster and the Head-up Display (HUD) had been malfunctioning. The contact was informed of other unknown failures. The contact also stated that the vehicle started independently. The contact stated that the vehicle had accelerated unintendedly while the transmission was slipping. The manufacturer was notified of the failure through mail, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ID

11519233

Incident

Apr 27, 2020

Mileage

20,000 mi

2019 MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLUMINATED ENGINE LIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11506936

Incident

Feb 13, 2023

Central digital driver cluster and lighting behind all speedo/tachometer randomly turns off while driving unexpectedly then fades back on. - can not see control indicators for adaptive cruise control when display fades out - can not see what gear the transmission is in when display fades out - at night can not see speedo, tach, or any items on the display when it fades out Dealership said they could not duplicate and didn't want to replace the cluster, because they have to send the part back to mercedes engineering and if the part wasn't faulty, the dealership would have to absorb the cost of repair. This happens every time I drive the car. Contacted Mercedes USA customer service and they have not been responsive.

NHTSA ID

11433288

Incident

Jun 10, 2021

1.BOTH FRONT SEATS BECOME EXTREMELY HOT AFTER 1-2 HOURS OF DRIVING, EVEN WITH COLD SEAT MODE ON. METAL BECOMES SO HOT UNDERNEATH SEAT, ALMOST COULD BURN HAND BY TOUCHING METAL PARTS. 2.STEERING WHEEL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS LOOSENS AND STARTS RAPIDLY MOVING RIGHT AND LEFT PROMPTING ALERT ASSIST WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED WITHOUT ME DOING THIS OR NO LANES ARE CROSSED , IT FEELS LIKE CAR IS REMOTELY CONTROLLED. 3.CAR TRIES TO ACCELERATE AS I AM ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE CITY PRODUCING SEVERE TRANSMISSION JERKS. 4. ENGINE TURNS OFF AND ON WITHOUT ME DOING IT ( IT IS NOT ECO, IT ACTUALLY COMPLETELY TURNS OFF AND ON). IT FEELS LIKE IT IS DONE REMOTELY. 5.SURROUND SENSORS CAUSE WARNING WITH NO DANGER PRESENT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY OR MOVING AROUND PARKING LOT. 6. SEVERE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHILE CRUISING SMOOTHLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON FREEWAY. 7. REGULAR ILLEGAL ENTRIES IN MY LOCKED CAR IN MULTIPLE STATES WHILE TRAVELING. SEEMS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REMOTE ACCESS TO MY CAR. TRIED TO ADDRESS WITH MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS IN TWO STATES, NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. I WAS TOLD NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I TOOK CAR TO ARROWHEAD MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP FOR ALL THESE ISSUE. THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE NOR REPRODUCE PROBLEM. ON HOT SEAT ISSUE I WAS LIED ABOUT DRIVING CAR FOR TWO HOURS AS ODOMETER READ 30 MILES SINCE REFUELING.

NHTSA ID

11416729

Incident

Apr 24, 2021

I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP UNDER RECALL 2019080007 AND SUPPOSEDLY HAD PROBLEM CORRECTED BUT THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO PERIODICALLY ENGAGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

NHTSA ID

11390030

Incident

Jan 24, 2021

Mileage

3,700 mi

DRIVING AT 75 MPH, CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO APPROX 45MPH WITHOUT WARNING. A TRIANGLE WITH RED IMAGE OF THE CAR'S REAR APPEARED ON SCREEN. I GRADUALLY INCREASED SPEED BACK UP TO 70 MPH AND SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. CAR IS 2 YRS OLD WITH 7200 MILES ON IT. M-B DEALERSHIP HAS THE CAR NOW.

NHTSA ID

11387009

Incident

Jan 5, 2021

Mileage

7,200 mi

AUTOMATIC STEERING FOLLOWED RANDOM STRIPE ON I 20 MAKING THE CAR LUNG TO THE LEFT LANE AND ALMOST GOING INTO THE MEDIAN IWAS WAS GOING 75 IN RAIN COULD HAVE WRECKED IF I DID NOT CORRECT IN SECONDS!

NHTSA ID

11171517

Incident

Jan 18, 2019

Mileage

1,000 mi