Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2025.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 E-Class | 5 | 0 |
| 2006 E-Class | 10 | 1 |
| 2005 E-Class | 9 | 3 |
| 2004 E-Class | 15 | 4 |
| 2003 E-Class | 45 | 4 |
| 2002 E-Class | 8 | 0 |
| 2001 E-Class | 15 | 0 |
| 2000 E-Class | 34 | 0 |
| 1999 E-Class | 13 | 1 |
| 1998 E-Class | 24 | 0 |
| 1997 E-Class | 38 | 1 |
| 1996 E-Class | 16 | 1 |
| 1995 E-Class | 21 | 1 |
| 1994 E-Class | 38 | 1 |
| 1993 E-Class | 7 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Electrical system95
- Suspension55
- Engine and engine cooling35
- Service brakes, hydraulic27
- Structure18
- Power train17
- Fuel system, gasoline17
- Fuel/propulsion system16
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 439 E-Class vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 225 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 9 | 2 |
| 2020 | 6 | 2 |
| 2019 | 13 | 5 |
| 2018 | 23 | 10 |
| 2017 | 14 | 7 |
| 2016 | 21 | 8 |
| 2015 | 10 | 5 |
| 2014 | 33 | 13 |
| 2013 | 24 | 9 |
| 2012 | 26 | 9 |
| 2011 | 33 | 21 |
| 2010 | 28 | 13 |
| 2009 | 7 | 4 |
| 2008 | 18 | 7 |
| 2007 | 22 | 17 |
| 2006 | 15 | 8 |
| 2005 | 15 | 4 |
| 2004 | 20 | 9 |
| 2003 | 19 | 12 |
| 2002 | 11 | 7 |
| 2001 | 18 | 12 |
| 2000 | 14 | 11 |
| 1999 | 12 | 7 |
| 1998 | 7 | 9 |
| 1997 | 5 | 4 |
| 1996 | 4 | 4 |
| 1995 | 5 | 4 |
| 1994 | 2 | 1 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 15 model-year variants; 7 of 10 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS 4 DR N/A AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2024 | 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2023 | 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.7 % |
| 2022 | 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD | ★★★★★ | 9.7 % |
| 2021 | 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD | ★★★★★ | 9.7 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD | ★★★★★ | 9.7 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD | ★★★★★ | 9.7 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW 4WD | ★★★★★ | 9.7 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW 4WD | ★★★★★ | 9.7 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 9.9 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 9.9 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW 4WD | ★★★★☆ | 9.9 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR 4WD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
In New Zealand
4,702 E-Class cars are on the New Zealand register; 72% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2025 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
| 2024 | 43 | 41 | 1 |
| 2023 | 30 | 26 | 2 |
| 2022 | 38 | 36 | 2 |
| 2021 | 80 | 78 | 2 |
| 2020 | 89 | 75 | 14 |
| 2019 | 172 | 125 | 44 |
| 2018 | 248 | 148 | 96 |
| 2017 | 412 | 201 | 203 |
| 2016 | 294 | 124 | 162 |
| 2015 | 216 | 57 | 155 |
| 2014 | 330 | 79 | 241 |
| 2013 | 330 | 62 | 258 |
| 2012 | 223 | 6 | 207 |
| 2011 | 248 | 0 | 242 |
| 2010 | 461 | 0 | 440 |
| 2009 | 299 | 0 | 285 |
| 2008 | 94 | 0 | 92 |
| 2007 | 169 | 0 | 163 |
| 2006 | 299 | 0 | 289 |
| 2005 | 188 | 0 | 181 |
| 2004 | 100 | 0 | 95 |
| 2003 | 45 | 1 | 39 |
| 2002 | 20 | 0 | 18 |
| 2001 | 17 | 0 | 14 |
| 2000 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1999 | 28 | 0 | 27 |
| 1998 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 1997 | 21 | 0 | 20 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
41,701 E-Class cars are on Dutch roads; 51% arrived later as imports, and 7,526 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 630 | €87,544 |
| 2025 | 1,411 | €88,343 |
| 2024 | 1,570 | €87,205 |
| 2023 | 641 | €82,203 |
| 2022 | 906 | €75,170 |
| 2021 | 1,470 | €75,462 |
| 2020 | 1,371 | €72,621 |
| 2019 | 2,011 | €68,970 |
| 2018 | 2,594 | €73,674 |
| 2017 | 2,951 | €72,497 |
| 2016 | 2,615 | €66,548 |
| 2015 | 1,205 | €64,420 |
| 2014 | 1,517 | €66,750 |
| 2013 | 1,806 | €65,536 |
| 2012 | 1,580 | €63,846 |
| 2011 | 2,113 | €64,459 |
| 2010 | 2,658 | €69,866 |
| 2009 | 1,594 | €74,500 |
| 2008 | 629 | €70,635 |
| 2007 | 973 | €73,727 |
| 2006 | 1,145 | €71,369 |
| 2005 | 1,166 | €70,152 |
| 2004 | 1,598 | €76,369 |
| 2003 | 1,685 | €83,436 |
| 2002 | 1,061 | €71,458 |
| 2001 | 305 | €75,017 |
| 2000 | 341 | €76,616 |
| 1999 | 350 | €76,313 |
| 1998 | 459 | €71,087 |
| 1997 | 232 | €70,520 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
42,643 E-Class cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 15% petrol, 85% diesel; 12% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70 | — |
| 2025 | 256 | 32,000 km |
| 2024 | 602 | 37,000 km |
| 2023 | 519 | 109,000 km |
| 2022 | 657 | 127,000 km |
| 2021 | 1,265 | 117,000 km |
| 2020 | 1,475 | 141,000 km |
| 2019 | 1,755 | 172,000 km |
| 2018 | 2,256 | 179,000 km |
| 2017 | 3,185 | 204,000 km |
| 2016 | 1,951 | 224,000 km |
| 2015 | 1,285 | 276,000 km |
| 2014 | 2,201 | 295,000 km |
| 2013 | 2,642 | 287,000 km |
| 2012 | 1,921 | 317,000 km |
| 2011 | 2,732 | 318,000 km |
| 2010 | 3,274 | 326,000 km |
| 2009 | 2,302 | 333,000 km |
| 2008 | 1,319 | 402,000 km |
| 2007 | 1,800 | 392,000 km |
| 2006 | 1,851 | 401,000 km |
| 2005 | 1,458 | 403,000 km |
| 2004 | 1,954 | 404,000 km |
| 2003 | 2,005 | 415,000 km |
| 2002 | 770 | 392,000 km |
| 2001 | 214 | 373,000 km |
| 2000 | 294 | 369,000 km |
| 1999 | 195 | 345,000 km |
| 1998 | 178 | 322,000 km |
| 1997 | 83 | 285,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 4,541 E-Class cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 55 of those collisions were fatal and 853 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 793 | 5 | 174 |
| 2024 | 713 | 11 | 142 |
| 2023 | 1,005 | 16 | 177 |
| 2022 | 1,049 | 10 | 209 |
| 2021 | 981 | 13 | 151 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
213,126 E-Class cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,402 | 30 |
| 2024 | 1,906 | 53 |
| 2023 | 1,744 | 102 |
| 2022 | 2,792 | 164 |
| 2021 | 5,253 | 408 |
| 2020 | 8,644 | 387 |
| 2019 | 17,063 | 734 |
| 2018 | 18,114 | 842 |
| 2017 | 19,512 | 972 |
| 2016 | 18,942 | 868 |
| 2015 | 19,623 | 1,066 |
| 2014 | 18,715 | 1,750 |
| 2013 | 17,025 | 2,529 |
| 2012 | 12,910 | 2,210 |
| 2011 | 11,538 | 2,371 |
| 2010 | 9,610 | 2,331 |
| 2009 | 5,558 | 1,591 |
| 2008 | 3,533 | 1,129 |
| 2007 | 4,271 | 1,813 |
| 2006 | 2,679 | 1,610 |
| 2005 | 2,923 | 2,122 |
| 2004 | 2,819 | 2,575 |
| 2003 | 1,977 | 2,626 |
| 2002 | 621 | 1,517 |
| 2001 | 452 | 1,478 |
| 2000 | 318 | 1,209 |
| 1999 | 271 | 1,303 |
| 1998 | 344 | 1,488 |
| 1997 | 180 | 987 |
| 1996 | 330 | 950 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
7,390 E-Class cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 86% passed first time, against 88% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 253 | 96% |
| 2021 | 707 | 93% |
| 2020 | 4,222 | 85% |
| 2019 | 2,208 | 86% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
1,118,006 new Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (23,987), Poland (1,543), Sweden (1,343).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 35,055 | 121 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 44,893 | 124 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 68,229 | 133 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 105,008 | 159 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 112,944 | 172 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 122,217 | 126 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 96,683 | — |
| 2015 | 81,267 | — |
| 2014 | 95,760 | — |
| 2013 | 102,289 | — |
| 2012 | 58,992 | — |
| 2011 | 64,241 | — |
| 2010 | 130,428 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
101,698 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2024 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel hybrid versions average 6.5 l/100 km on the road, against 5.3 l/100 km in the official WLTP test — 22% more. Plug-in hybrids use 5.9 l/100 km against 1.2 l/100 km on paper, with 17% of their distance covered with the engine off.
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,352 | 14.7 | 12.3 | +19% |
| Petrol hybrid | 15,859 | 9.6 | 8.1 | +19% |
| Diesel | 24,971 | 6.7 | 5.9 | +15% |
| Diesel hybrid | 24,977 | 6.5 | 5.3 | +22% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 34,539 | 5.9 | 1.2 | +414% |
Litres per 100 km: total fuel used divided by total distance driven, from the car's own fuel consumption meter (OBFCM), collected in 2024 by the manufacturers, mostly remotely, and by national authorities. WLTP figures are the type-approval CO₂ values converted to litres. Hybrids, including mild hybrids, do not plug in; plug-in hybrid figures include the distance driven on electricity. European Environment Agency, Real-world CO₂ emissions from cars and vans · CC BY 4.0
What it costs in fuel
On real-world figures the diesel hybrid Mercedes-Benz E-Class uses 6.5 litres per 100 km, so 15,000 km a year takes about 970 litres: €2,192 at this week's average price in Germany, its largest market in Europe.
| Country | Diesel hybrid | Diesel | Petrol hybrid | Petrol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €2,192 | €2,281 | €3,148 | €4,801 |
| United Kingdom | £1,929 | £2,006 | £2,522 | £3,847 |
| France | €2,270 | €2,361 | €3,220 | €4,911 |
| Italy | €2,171 | €2,259 | €2,912 | €4,442 |
| Sweden | €1,974 | €2,054 | €2,369 | €3,614 |
| United States | $1,604 | $1,669 | $1,635 | $2,494 |
Fuel for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) a year at real-world consumption. Pump prices with taxes, week of 19 October 2026: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, US Energy Information Administration. Non-euro EU prices are in euros as the Bulletin publishes them.
Work it out for your driving
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the E-Class in at least 12 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The wheel bolts were not tightened in accordance with the torque specifications. The bolts and the wheel assembly could detach while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of accidents. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and…
Specific 12V and 48V ground connection bolts may have been secured with incorrect torque, which may lead to the wiring harnesses being not properly secured. As a result the electrical resistance at the connection points could increase. The temperature may ther…
An improperly reworked fuse box may lead to breaks in contact or incorrect fuse ratings. Therefore, systems connected to the fuse could fail, including the vehicle losing drive without warning as well as the restraint systems or the instrument cluster being co…
The welding of mounting brackets on rear axle carriers may break while driving, which can lead the bracket to become detached from the rear axle carrier. This can result in an impairment of the wheel guidance and driving stability, increasing the risk of accid…
The three aluminium screws of the steering box may corrode due to exposure to spray water and aggressive road-grit (salt) used for melting ice. Advanced corrosion could weaken the screws, leading to potential breakage during manoeuvring or parking. If all fixi…
The electrical connector of the transmission wiring harness may not have been correctly processed. This can lead to water entering the connector, which could cause short circuit and can create a thermal overload of the connector when the vehicle is parked, cau…
A fuse may be faulty, which can lead to engine failure or impairment of the restraint functions and instrument cluster. This increases the risk of an accident, injuries and fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market survei…
The 48V ground cable bolt in the engine compartment may be incorrectly secured. This could increase electrical transition resistance at the point of connection. As a result, the high electrical currents that can flow through this connection could increase the …
The exit warning function, which warns car occupants not to open doors when traffic is approaching, may malfunction. This creates a risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles a…
Due to improper adhesive bonding of the glass panel to the sliding roof frame, the panel may detach from the moving vehicle, creating a risk of an accident, injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of mo…
Faulty configurations of the control units (traction systems, signal recording triggering modules, engine control units and headlights) could cause one or more control units to malfunction, which could increase the risk of an accident. The exhaust emissions ex…
The seal for the special plug-in contact of the gearbox designed to protect against contact with moisture and splashing water is improperly installed. Thus splashed water can enter the socket contact when driving in wet conditions and can lead to a short circu…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
9 campaigns cover the E-Class.
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING MY 2006-2008 M-CLASS, R-CLASS, MY 2005-2009 SLK-CLASS, MY 2005-2008 C-CLASS, MY 2003-2004 AND 2006-2008 CLK-CLASS, MY 2003-2008 E-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2008 CL-CLASS, MY 2008 CLS-CLASS, MY 2004 AND 2007-2008 S-CLASS, MY 2003 G-CLASS, AND MY 2003-2004, 2006 AND 2009 SL-CLASS VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION NUMBER (SCN) CODING RECEIVED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING A RECENT WORKSHOP VISIT WAS INCORRECT. DEPENDING ON THE MODEL YEAR AND MODEL AFFECTED, THE RESULTS OF AN INCORRECT SCN CODING CAN AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND EMISSION FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM MAY PREMATURELY SHIFT TO THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP FUNCTION MODE, DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION, OR DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) IS DESIGNED TO MONITOR THE PRESSURE GRADIENT WITHIN THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. IF AN UNACCEPTABLE PRESSURE GRADIENT IS DETECTED, THE SYSTEM WILL SWITCH, AS IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, INTO THE HYDRAULIC FUNCTION MODE.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY HAVE A BURR ON A METAL COMPONENT OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM. THE PRESENCE OF THE BURR COULD PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM LOCKING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUT ON THE BOLT WHICH CONNECTS THE STEERING GEAR TO THE STEERING COUPLING MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN THE ABSENCE OF A CRASH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A WRONG CLAMP MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE WINDOW AIR BAG UNITS.
THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE CAN DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. IF THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING.
THE FRONT PASSENGER METAL FOOT REST CAN, OVER TIME, ABRADE THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE FOOT REST CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO SHORT CIRCUIT.
NHTSA recalls