2023 Mercedes-Benz E 450 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz E 450, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine627.3%
- Powertrain (other)418.2%
- Tires & wheels418.2%
- Electrical313.6%
- Fuel system313.6%
- Driver assistance29.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure occurred while making a left turn. In addition, a malfunction error message illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start with the push to start. However, the vehicle did start using the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, however the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
While driving, malfunction warning flashed on dash, followed by 48v malfunction warning, then engine coolant overheat warning. The car then went into limp mode and finally stopped completely. Luckily this occurred on a residential street and not on a high speed freeway - the car gave very little warning before drastically reduced speed and shutting down systems. A 48 volt battery problem should have a redundant system to prevent the engine from overheating and not shutting down the vehicle at speed. Very dangerous!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving, malfunction warning flashed on dash, followed by 48v malfunction warning, then engine coolant overheat warning. The car then went into limp mode and finally stopped completely. Luckily this occurred on a residential street and not on a high speed freeway - the car gave very little warning before drastically reduced speed and shutting down systems. A 48 volt battery problem should have a redundant system to prevent the engine from overheating and not shutting down the vehicle at speed. Very dangerous!
My 2023 Mercedes 450E car was purchased on June 11, 2023 and has 1,750 miles. On 2 to 3 different occasions, I was stopped at a light waiting to make a left turn, fortunately my light was red and not a green permitting turning, which would have meant I would have pulled up and into the cross section to prepare to turn; I pushed the gas in the drive position and large red malfunction letters displayed across the dashboard and the car just revved. I put it in park and then drive postion a few times and had the same result. Finally, I turned the car off and back on, put it in drive, pushed the gas and it went. I live in Miami, with the serious traffic congestion. The issues that my stalled car caused blocking other drivers’ passage through a few lights, can only be imagined Fortunately, no accidents happened as other drivers attempted to get around my vehicle. The car was taken into service on October 9, 2023, many tests were performed, a diagnosis of the stalling problem was provided, however, I was told there no solution to the problem at this time, “maybe in the future” I was told. Turn off the Economy button, I was told. What if I forget? What if someone else is driving the car? As one can clearly read from the service record, attached hereto, the car is irreparable.The car was released to me anyway on October 28, 2023. After complaining to Mercedes corporate, they offered to repurchase my car. I said I wanted a replacement. They said my model had this problem and a replacement would not solve my problem. I asked about the safety of all other owners and drivers coming into contact with this model on the road and why a recall hadn't been issued and there was no response, nor concern from Mercedes. This model can stall in stop and go traffic on the nation's interstate highways and there will be fatalities. Mercedes, fix the car and give notice to owners of this model about the defect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
RE: Continental Pro Contact GX SSR MOE 245/40 R19 98 H M+S Original factory installed Mercedes E450 tires. I had 3 blowouts from hitting small potholes on 3 different tires in 1.5 years. These are complete immediate blowout going completely flat on impact. It could have very dangerous if I were driving a little faster and fortunately there was no other damage to the car or other persons. In each case, I hit a small pothole, and the tire blew out, flat to the ground. Because these are run flat tires, on the first 2 incidents I was able to drive home and to the dealer for tire repair/replacement. The third one was so bad that I could not drive all the way home and had to get towed. But all 3 incidents were scary and dangerous because of the sudden blowouts. The tires were not repairable and had to be replaced. I believe that the Mercedes Tire inflation instructions is unsafe and they should put more air in the tires to protect from the rim cutting into the tire when hitting a pothole. The driver's door "B" pilar placard says the "cold tire pressure: Front 41 psi Rear 47 psi". Mercedes repair shop inflates the tires according to the Fuel Filler Door decal that says " Front 36 psi, Rear 36 psi." That is a big difference in pressure -- as much as possible 11 psi under pressure. I believe these run flat tires failed because of too low of tire pressure when hitting the pothole. If the tires were inflated with the higher pressures as on the door pilar, the wheel rim would not have been able to cut into and through the tire wall because the higher tire pressure would prevent the impact of the rim cutting through the tire sidewall. I believe this a serious safety issue and Mercedes should be inflating this type run flat MOE tires to a much higher pressure and should not use the low-pressure instructions that are on the fuel door label. There should be a recall and repair instructions to increase run flat tire pressure on Mercedes E class vehicles.
RE: Continental Pro Contact GX SSR MOE 245/40 R19 98 H M+S Original factory installed Mercedes E450 tires. I had 3 blowouts from hitting small potholes on 3 different tires in 1.5 years. These are complete immediate blowout going completely flat on impact. It could have very dangerous if I were driving a little faster and fortunately there was no other damage to the car or other persons. In each case, I hit a small pothole, and the tire blew out, flat to the ground. Because these are run flat tires, on the first 2 incidents I was able to drive home and to the dealer for tire repair/replacement. The third one was so bad that I could not drive all the way home and had to get towed. But all 3 incidents were scary and dangerous because of the sudden blowouts. The tires were not repairable and had to be replaced. I believe that the Mercedes Tire inflation instructions is unsafe and they should put more air in the tires to protect from the rim cutting into the tire when hitting a pothole. The driver's door "B" pilar placard says the "cold tire pressure: Front 41 psi Rear 47 psi". Mercedes repair shop inflates the tires according to the Fuel Filler Door decal that says " Front 36 psi, Rear 36 psi." That is a big difference in pressure -- as much as possible 11 psi under pressure. I believe these run flat tires failed because of too low of tire pressure when hitting the pothole. If the tires were inflated with the higher pressures as on the door pilar, the wheel rim would not have been able to cut into and through the tire wall because the higher tire pressure would prevent the impact of the rim cutting through the tire sidewall. I believe this a serious safety issue and Mercedes should be inflating this type run flat MOE tires to a much higher pressure and should not use the low-pressure instructions that are on the fuel door label. There should be a recall and repair instructions to increase run flat tire pressure on Mercedes E class vehicles.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the cruise control activated, a yellow "Active Lane Keeping Assistance is Inoperable" message was displayed, followed by a red "Emergency Braking to Begin" message displayed on the instrument panel. To prevent the failure, the contact immediately deactivated the cruise control. The dealer was notified about the failure on several occasions, and two separate cases were filed with the manufacturer. The dealer replaced the steering wheel, replaced several fuses, and performed several software updates to correct the failure under warranty; however, the failure persisted after each repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,500.
I am submitting this complaint regarding serious and repeated electronic failures in my 2023 Mercedes-Benz E 450 that pose a significant safety risk to myself and other drivers on the road. The vehicle has experienced complete dashboard failures on multiple occasions, including the loss of speedometer, fuel gauge, and gear shift indicators. Most critically, the vehicle recently shut down while in motion, displaying a “malfunction” warning and disabling the electronic steering system. I was unable to maneuver the vehicle off the road, creating an extremely dangerous situation. This vehicle has been brought to the dealership three or more times for the same issue, with no permanent resolution. I believe this constitutes a serious safety defect. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate this matter as a potential recall issue.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The fuel pump on my vehicle failed multiple times, including coming off start / stop at traffic lights, as well as when being started. When at a stop light turning from red to green, my car did not respond, putting me in danger of being hit from behind. The vehicle is being repaired under warranty at a manufacturer dealership. It appears this is a known issue under NHTSA recall 23V445000, although my vehicle is not currently included in the recall after a VIN search of the NHTSA check for recalls page. My vehicle exhibited the same signs as others affected by this recall, including flashing "malfunction" when it occurred.
I purchased an E450 Mercedes before reaching my first service appointment while driving my two daughters home from school the car began to shake uncontrollably, lost power, and then the engine light and oil lights came on. The car was towed to the manufacturer dealership for repair. It was determined that the piston number four was broken and the engine needed to be completely replaced. Less than two months after having the entire engine replaced the car broke down again with a similar shaking. This time one of my children and their friend were in the vehicle with me. The car was towed back to the dealership where they said the fuel pump went out and needed to be replaced. When I arrived to pick up the car, the technician pulling the car around noticed the shaking and the engine light on again. I did not leave in the car. The dealer kept the car to further investigate why the engine light was on again. Two days later they called to say they’d been driving the car around to “air it out” as air must have been trapped in the fuel system and that nothing further needed to be done. I am not confident that this vehicle is safe to drive or properly repaired. I’m also not confident that this vehicle doesn’t have other unknown issues that will arise overtime. It’s unsafe to drive children in this car. I still have not even reached 10,000 miles on this car.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the cruise control activated, a yellow "Active Lane Keeping Assistance is Inoperable" message was displayed, followed by a red "Emergency Braking to Begin" message displayed on the instrument panel. To prevent the failure, the contact immediately deactivated the cruise control. The dealer was notified about the failure on several occasions, and two separate cases were filed with the manufacturer. The dealer replaced the steering wheel, replaced several fuses, and performed several software updates to correct the failure under warranty; however, the failure persisted after each repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,500.
My vehicle is equipped with a camera system which, when in reverse gear, displays objects/people behind the vehicle and, when going forward to park, displays objects/vehicles ahead. For the first 11 months of ownership, the system has worked properly. For the last 6 months the system has worked intermittently. The vehicle, purchased new, is under warranty and has been returned to the dealership 4 times for software updates and and part replacements. Two weeks after the last visit, the camera system was inoperative again. Shortly after I returned home and went out again the camera system worked properly. Several years ago, Mercedes recalled 347,000 vehicles for a similar problem. My vehicle was purchased after the recall and did not fall into the category of vehicles that were recalled but it seems that, with the Mercedes brand, the problem still persists. To the extent the camera system will alert you to the presence of a person when backing up, this is a safety issue which needs to be addressed. Thank you
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .