2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400, 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
- Electrical419.0%
- Driver assistance314.3%
- Seat belts314.3%
- Engine314.3%
- Steering29.5%
- Airbags14.8%
- Tires & wheels14.8%
- Body & structure14.8%
- Brakes14.8%
- Exterior lighting14.8%
- Other / unspecified14.8%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The digital dash, which shows my speed, mileage, engine temperature, rims and fuel level goes blank. Then comes on for a few seconds and goes dark again. Vehicle only has 43k miles. MB dealer said this is not uncommon condition with the 2018 mb e400. Car is not safe to drive. MB dealer wants $6,100.00 to replace the unit. A software reboot will not work.
Alternator failed on my E400 cabriolet 23,000 miles resulting in car shutting down while engine running. Required a tow to dealer service area, 35 miles away.
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 rear backup camera intermittently will open for a second, display the rear view (when in reverse), then immediately closes. This often happens after the trunk has been opened / closed, as when we go shopping and put items in the trunk. Sometimes it resets when you turn off the ignition and restart the car.
1) Car pushed forward while parking @ 3-4 miles/per hour Car was totaled 2) Air bags did not deploy 3) Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealer 4) Component was not confirmed by manufacturer. Police was present, reported to Insurance 5) While crashing through a store front, the Lane changing warning was displayed
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The driver-side seat belt retractor on my 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 (W213) has failed to fully retract, leaving significant slack across the driver's chest and lap. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer has diagnosed the issue as a failed seat belt motor. This component is part of the vehicle's electronic PRE-SAFE system. Because the belt no longer retracts into its stowed position or maintains tension, the vehicle is in a state of non-compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209 (Seat Belt Assemblies). Specifically, it fails to meet the retraction requirements necessary to ensure the webbing properly locates on the occupant's body. Furthermore, the failure of the motor disables the PRE-SAFE tensioning function, which is a critical safety system. Despite being a safety component and the vehicle being less than 10 years old, the manufacturer has refused to remedy this safety defect under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. A non-retracting seat belt is an unreasonable risk to safety as it increases the probability of injury or ejection during a crash.
The seat belts do not retract when taking them off.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES BENZ E400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE SMELLING A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE AUTOMATIC DRIVING WAS ACTIVATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE TO HIGHER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE VEHICLES BRAKES OBSESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE'S SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ALSO FAILED TO ROTATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER WAS OBSERVING THE VEHICLE THEY FOUND THE ENGINE TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF COCONUT CREEK 4250 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 3307; (954) 406-1167) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 21,000.
ON MAY 30, 2020, AROUND 3 PM, MY SON WAS THE DRIVER AND MY WIFE AND I WERE THE PASSENGERS DRIVING IN JERSEY CITY, NJ (USA). WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE ROAD, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND IT SHOWED A CAR WITH ZIG ZAG LINES AND STATED INOPERABLE. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN A DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITH CARS GOING AROUND US. THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WE TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR MANY TIMES WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON AND STATING INOPERABLE. AFTER A LITTLE WHILE, WE WERE ABLE TO PLACE IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH THE CAR TO SAFETY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE STILL BLOCKING A LANE. WE THEN CALLED THE MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER WHERE A TECHNICIAN TRIED TO HELP US VIA TELEPHONE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND FINALLY 2 HOURS LATER, WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE FAMILY HAD TO TAKE UBER HOME. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO RAY CATENA MERCEDES IN UNION, NJ, USA AND WE RECEIVED A CALL THIS MORNING THAT THEY WILL INSPECT IT LATER ON TODAY. THE REASON I AM BRINGING THIS INCIDENT TO YOUR ATTENTION IS THAT THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY INJURIES BUT WOULD LIKE YOU TO BE AWARE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO ANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNER AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IN NATURE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Two problems: 1. Axel grease found on carport cement multiple times. Mercedes refuses to look at the wheel bearings or axel. 2. Automatic steering wheel adjustment makes clunking noise. Mercedes refuses to replace until it fails. Both of those items should be covered under warranty which I think is why they refuse to fix them.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E400C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEVERLY HILLS AT 310-659-2980 (LOCATED AT 9250 BEVERLY BLVD, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TR *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
1) Car pushed forward while parking @ 3-4 miles/per hour Car was totaled 2) Air bags did not deploy 3) Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealer 4) Component was not confirmed by manufacturer. Police was present, reported to Insurance 5) While crashing through a store front, the Lane changing warning was displayed
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
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400, equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Majesty Solus, Tire Size: 245/40/ZR19, DOT Number: 1Y07TYCJ9. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was discovered that tread on the front tires were blistering. The cause of the failure had not yet been determined. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front tires had failed and needed to be replaced. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The tires were replacement tires. The tire failure mileage was 4,000. The vehicle failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MY CABRIOLET, THE CORDS THAT ATTACH THE HEADLINER TO THE ROOF FRAY, CAUSING THE TOP TO NOT BE ABLE TO CLOSE OR OPEN. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE, AND CORDS ARE FRAYED AGAIN, SO THIS WILL BE THIRD TRIP. MERCEDES HAS A "FIX" FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THE FIX DOES NOT WORK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
GOING THRU INTERSECTION AT FLANDERS RD AND MONTAUK HIGHWAY IN HAMPTON BAYS NY AT 15-20 MPH THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the message "Inoperable Headlight" was displayed, and the passenger's side headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to dealer who added an unknown gas inside the headlight. However, the failure reoccurred with the driver's side headlight six months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who added the unknown gas inside the headlight, however, the failure reoccurred months later with the passenger's side. The contact stated that the failure persisted with both the driver's side and the passenger's side headlights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that there was water leaking inside the headlights and they could not replace the headlights because the manufacturer would not cover the cost of the repair. The dealer informed the contact that he would need to pay a repair fee. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,700.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Two problems: 1. Axel grease found on carport cement multiple times. Mercedes refuses to look at the wheel bearings or axel. 2. Automatic steering wheel adjustment makes clunking noise. Mercedes refuses to replace until it fails. Both of those items should be covered under warranty which I think is why they refuse to fix them.
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 .