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Mercedes-Benz E ClassYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 298 NHTSA owner complaints across 16 model years, no Mercedes-Benz E Class year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2003. The E Class has 9 safety recalls on record.

Mercedes-Benz E Class
Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years'94 '97 '00 '03Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints298Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls91992–2008 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: OSX, Public domain.

Best & worst years

Mercedes-Benz E Class years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E Class median. Tap a year for its full report.

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2008Not rated–/1005 complaints · 0 recalls2006Not rated–/10010 complaints · 1 recall2005Not rated–/1009 complaints · 3 recalls2004Not rated–/10015 complaints · 4 recalls2003Solid46/10045 complaints · 4 recalls2002Not rated–/1008 complaints · 0 recalls2001Not rated–/10015 complaints · 0 recalls2000Solid56/10034 complaints · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/10013 complaints · 1 recall1998Not rated–/10024 complaints · 0 recalls1997Solid52/10038 complaints · 1 recall1996Not rated–/10016 complaints · 1 recall1995Not rated–/10021 complaints · 1 recall1994Solid48/10038 complaints · 1 recall1993Not rated–/1007 complaints · 1 recall1992Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Mercedes-Benz E Class problems

All model years combined: 298 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system957
Suspension550
Engine and engine cooling352
Service brakes, hydraulic276
Structure180
Power train171
Fuel system, gasoline172
Fuel/propulsion system160
Visibility140
19 other systems847
9 recalls

Mercedes-Benz E Class recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Electrical system08V-303 · 2003–2006 · Jul 7, 2008 · 404 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic05V-133 · 2003–2005 · Apr 1, 2005 · 204,000 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic04V-296 · 2003–2005 · Jun 22, 2004 · 143,387 vehicles–Seat belts03V-534 · 2004 · Dec 19, 2003 · 4,348 vehicles–Steering03V-289 · 2003 · Aug 7, 2003 · 554 vehicles–Air bags: side/window00V-388 · 1997 · Nov 28, 2000 · 16,255 vehicles–Air bags: frontal98V-256 · 1999 · Oct 14, 1998 · 4,163 vehicles–Engine and engine cooling: engine96V-058 · 1996 · Apr 4, 1996 · 149 vehicles–Electrical system: wiring95V-031 · 1992–1995 · Feb 21, 1995 · 50,000 vehicles
6 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the E Class

  1. Driver Air Bag Circuit High ResistancePE10017 · 2005–2006 · closed Nov 24, 2010
    No recall
  2. FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTIONPE07021 · 1996–1999 · closed Aug 9, 2007
    No recall
  3. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONDP05007 · 2000–2001 · closed Mar 27, 2006
    No recall
  4. ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILUREPE03058 · 1998–2000 · closed Apr 22, 2004
    No recall
  5. SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWNSQ01010 · 2000–2001 · closed Feb 4, 2002
    No recall
  6. INADVERTENT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENRQ00013 · 1997 · closed Jul 20, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-388