Home · 2017 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabrio · Complaints

What 165 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabrio

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (165)Crash / fire / injury (11)Engine (39)Fuel system (28)Electrical system (27)Airbags (22)Transmission & drivetrain (16)Steering (14)Body & structure (12)Brakes (9)Driver assistance (7)Lights (5)

Newest first · 165 complaints · page 6 of 7

May 22, 2019Body & structure

THIS SUNDAY, MY BROTHER IN LAW WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND I WAS SITTING I. PASSENGER SEAT AND MY 5 YEAR OLD NIECE IN THE BACKSEAT. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD POP SOUND AND AFTER FEW SECONDS THE GLASS STARTED FALLING IN THE CAR FROM ABOVE, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED FOR NO REASON, NOTHING HIT THE CAR, NO POTHOLES, NOTHING AT ALL. MY BRO IN LAW DID GET HURT ON ON ARM AS A SMALL PIECE OF GLASS HIT HIM. IMMEDIATELY I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND TOLD THEM TO PICK MY CAR FROM MY BRO IN LAWS HOUSE ONCE WE REACHED. NEXT DAY NO RESPONSE FROM MERCEDES BENZ AND AFTER 3 DAYS (TODAY IS WEDNESDAY) THE DEALERSHIP 'TEXTS' (STILL NO CALLS) SAYING THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $2126, THE THING IS I DON'T MIND PAYING SINCE I HAVE INSURANCE BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY FEATURES, WHEN I TOLD THAT SERVICE GUY ABOUT IT, HE SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I EVEN TOLD ME ABOUT COMPLAINING IT TO YOU GUYS BUT STILL NOTHING. IT'S MERCEDES BENZ OF FOOTHILL BLVD, IRVINE, CA. APART FROM THAT, I LOOKED UP ONLINE AND I SAW FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAME ISSUES AS ME (SUNROOF SHATTERING/BREAKING MERCEDES BENZ).

NHTSA ODI 11209328

May 8, 2019Tires

2017 MERCEDES BENZ E300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO MANUFACTURING ISSUES THAT REQUIRE TIRE REPLACEMENT BUT THE NECESSARY TIRE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. * AS *JS *JS

NHTSA ODI 11206674

Apr 15, 2019Electrical systemBody & structure1 injury

THE MOTORIZED TRUNK LID SPONTANEOUSLY AND FORCEFULLY CLOSED ON MY HEAD, CUTTING MY FACE, WHILE I WAS LOADING (WITH BOTH HANDS) GROCERIES INTO THE TRUNK. CAR WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT, ENGINE OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11196475

Apr 11, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN WAITING MONTHS FOR A FIX TO THIS RECAL PROBLEM. WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. I AM STARTING TO GET VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS AND MYSELF.

NHTSA ODI 11195590

Apr 9, 2019Airbags

TAKATA RECALL I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR AND WANT THE DEALERSHIP TO GIVE ME A LOANER.

NHTSA ODI 11194992

Mar 29, 2019Body & structureBrakes

ROOF SPOILER DETACHED AFTER BEING REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES AND SAID TO BE FIXED BY MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP. BRAKES VIBRATED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR WHEN NEW, REPORTED ISSUE 3 TIMES UNTIL FULLY WRAPPED ON FOURTH TIME VISITING SERVICE CENTER. DEALERSHIP DENIES FIX EVEN THOUGH PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MISDIAGNOSES AND MANUFACTURE DEFECT. VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE FAILING BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI 11192395

Mar 13, 2019Airbags

2017 MERCEDES BENZ E400. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY DEFECT. *LD *TR

NHTSA ODI 11184131

Mar 13, 2019Airbags

2017 MERCEDES BENZ E400. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA SAFETY AIRBAG RECALL. *LD *TR

NHTSA ODI 11185211

Feb 26, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E400A. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY OF 2020. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11182563

Dec 3, 2018Wheels

MY 2017 MERCEDES BENZ E300 CAR SEEMS TO HAVE SEVERE TIRE RIM BREAKING ISSUE. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 RIM'S ON THIS CAR AND 3 TIRES. I USE THIS CAR FOR COMMUTE TO WORK AND DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS IN CT WHICH ARE IN PRETTY GOOD CONDITION. SO THIS CAR IS NOT GOING OVER ON POTHOLES OR LIKE. HENCE I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE RIMS ON THIS CAR. THE STAFF AT THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MODEL COME FOR RIM REPLACEMENTS MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY THAN OTHER MODELS. I HAVE CALLED MERCEDES AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AND HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI 11155639

Nov 13, 2018SteeringLights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE MESSAGE "STEERING MALFUNCTION STOP THE VEHICLE" SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS ALSO PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN BEFORE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES OF ORLANDO (810 ORLANDO AVE, ORLANDO, FL), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. IN ADDITION, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD SOMETIMES STOP ILLUMINATING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI 11151277

Oct 2, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, AN ABNORMAL BOOMING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE HIGHWAY SAFETY DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND PROVIDED SAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HOUSE OF IMPORTS, 6862 AUTO CENTER DRIVE, BUENA PARK, CA 90621, (714) 627-5553) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED REFERENCE NUMBER: 1-7QUCM. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 11132940

Oct 1, 2018Brakes

I WAS JUST DRIVING HOME ON A CITY STREET (9/20/18) AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY THE BRAKES ON MY E43 LOCKED UP LAUNCHING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER FORWARD AGAINST OUR SEAT BELTS. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED; I HEARD THE REAR TIRES "CHATTER". THE CAR DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP; THE BRAKES DISENGAGED AND WE ROLLED FORWARD. UNTIL I REALIZED WHAT HAPPENED I THOUGH I HIT SOMETHING. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT THERE WAS SOMEONE BEHIND AND BESIDE ME. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MERCEDES AND THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND CHECKED THE SENSORS AND REPORTED BACK THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY. SINCE THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING SPECIFIC - I FEEL THAT THE CAR HAS A DEFECT THAT IS DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE RECALLED UNTIL A SOLUTION CAN BE DEMONSTRATED. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS EXACT OCCURENCE. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WILL RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY - OR WORSE. THE CAR HAS PREMIUM PACKAGE 3 WHICH INCLUDES THE ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST PROGRAM. I SUSPECT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER PERSON REPORTED THIS WHEN CROSSING ONTO A BRIDGE. THAT WAS MY SPECIFIC EVENT ALSO; THE CAR DIPPED SLIGHTLY AS I WENT FROM STREET PAVEMEN TO BRIDGE PAVEMENT. PLEASE COMPEL MERCEDES TO TAKE RESPONSIBLE ACTION AND TAKE STEPS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC; REGARDLESS OF HOW RARE THE EVENT MAY BE.

NHTSA ODI 11132420

Aug 12, 2018

VERY WEAK BACKUP CAMERA WARNING SIGNAL

NHTSA ODI 11119435

Jul 27, 2018Suspension

RIGHT FRONT AIR STRUT BLADDER EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A SMOOTH CITY STREET CAUSING RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. CAR WAS ONLY DRIVABLE AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY FLAT BED TO DEALER

NHTSA ODI 11114098

Jul 25, 2018Body & structureVisibility & wipers

THE DRIVERS EXTERIOR LEFT SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR IS OVERLY TOO LARGE AND IS MOUNTED APPROXIMATELY 2" TO 2.5" TOO HIGH . COMBINED WITH THE CO-LOCATED BODY ROOF SUPPORT BEAM BEING VERY LARGE THE DRIVER IS THEREFORE GREATLY IMPACTED BY THE COMBINED REDUCTION IN VISABILITY IN THAT ARC OF VISION WHILE TURNING LEFT. I'VE LEASED IN SUCCESSION 11 M/B SEDANS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN FACED WITH THIS PROBLEM. I'M 5'8", ATHLETIC, WELL AWARE OF ERGONOMICS, I'M A PE - SAFETY ENGINEER AND REALLY ANNOYED AND CONCERNED WITH THIS BIG BLIND SPOT AREA. I'VE FOUND THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY DRIVING LIFE I'VE HAD TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN TURNING LEFT PARTICULARLY IN VERY CONGESTED TRAFFIC SITUATIONS DUE TO THE LARGE REDUCTION IN VISIBILITY IN THAT AREA. PROBLEM STARTS IMMEDIATELY FROM A PARKED OR STOPPED SITUATION, LIKE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO THEN INITIALLY START MOVING PARTICULARLY WHEN IMPLEMENTING A LEFT HAND TURN. VEHICLE LEASED ON 07/31/2017. PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSTANT SINCE THEN.

NHTSA ODI 11113521

Jul 25, 2018Body & structure1 injury

FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT STAY OPEN, NO TENSION AND DOOR CLOSES BACK ON YOU AFTER OPENING. WILL NOT STAY OPEN ON ZERO GRADIENT OR WHILE UPHILL. MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO FIX AND CHANGE HINGES NUMEROUS TIMES. NOT HAS BEEN FIXED. DOOR HING HAS ZERO TENSION AND WILL NOT KEEP FRONT DOORS OPEN. VERY DANGEROUS IF CHILD IS IN BETWEEN DOORS AND DOOR CLOSES ON YOU. HAS INJURED AND BRUISED LEGS NUMEROUS TIME FOR NUMEROUS DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.

NHTSA ODI 11113641

Jul 16, 2018Engine

AFTER ABOUT 1-2 MIKES OF DRIVING MY 2017 MB E300 STARTED JERKING AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I DROVE TOWARD THE FIRST LANE FOR A LEFT TURN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I ALSO FOUND THE GEAR WAS CHANGED TO NEUTRAL. I TRIED TO CHANGE THE GEAR TO DRIVE WHILE WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT BUT I COULDN'T. I STOPPED THE ENGINE TO RESTART BUT COULDN'T RESTART AT ALL. I PRESSED THE MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE BUTTON. THEY SAID A TOW TRUCK WOULD BE THERE WITHIN 20 MINS. IN THE MEANTIME SOMEONE HELPED PUSH THE CAR TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE BUT THE GEAR DIDN'T STAY ON NEUTRAL. IT KEPT GOING BACK TO PARK. THEN IT DIDN'T GO TO NEUTRAL ANYMORE. I GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE I COULD DO BUT PATIENTLY WAITED FOR TOWING WITH MY LITTLE KID INSIDE THE CAR WITH AN EMERGENCY LIGHT ON AND 4 WINDOWS OPEN. THE CAR WAS HEATED UP WITH THE OUTSIDE TEMP OF OVER 90F. MY KID WAS GETTING EXHAUSTED AND DROWSY DUE TO A HIGH TEMP OF 110F INSIDE THE CAR. I PRESSED THE ASSISTANCE BUTTON AGAIN AFTER WAITING ALMOST 40 MINS AND EXPLAINED ABOUT AN URGENT SITUATION. THEY SAID THEY WERE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PROVIDER AND WOULD TEXT ME ETA OF A TOW TRUCK ONCE THEY LOCATED IT. COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT THEY SAID. MY KID WAS ALMOST PASSING OUT FROM THE HEATSTROKE. I STARED LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO TOW MY CAR WHEN I FINALLY GOT A TEXT FROM THE ROADSIDE SERVICE SAYING A TRUCK WOULD BE THERE IN 50 MINS. OMG! THEN A LADY STOPPED HER CAR NEXT TO ME. SHE GAVE US WATER, LET ME MOVE MY KID INTO HER CAR WITH COOL AIR, CALLED HER AAA, AND LET ME USE THE SERVICE. AAA SHOWED UP IN 15 MINS AND TOWED MY CAR TO THE MB DEALERSHIP. I WAS MORE DISAPPOINTED WITH MB ROADSIDE SERVICE THAN THE CAR BREAKDOWN. WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE BUTTON? WHY DID THEY INSTALL THE USELESS BUTTON IN THE CAR? IF IT WASN'T THERE I WOUNDN'T PRESS IT AND WASTE ALMOST 1 1/2 HRS ON THE STREET! MY KID COULD HAVE DIED IN THE CAR!

NHTSA ODI 11111487

Jun 27, 2018Driver assistance

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTIVE BRAKING ASSIST DRIVING ASSISTANCE PACKAGE ACTIVATED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING OVER BRIDGES. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF ATHENS, 4735 ATLANTA HIGHWAY, BLDG. A, ATHENS, GA 30606, (706) 549-6585) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BECAUSE FAILURE SITE IS IN BLUFFTON, S.C. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF HILTON HEAD (155 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910, (843) 815-0300). THE ASSOCIATES FROM THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHILE ONE OF THEM RECORDED A VIDEO OF THE SYSTEM ENGAGING. THE SECOND DEALER INDICATED THAT A FORM WOULD NEED TO BE SIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. A TECHNICIAN WAS SENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THE ACTIVE BRAKING ASSIST DRIVING ASSISTANCE PACKAGE DETECTED AN OBSTACLE AND WAS ENGAGING WHEN THERE WAS NO OBSTACLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REMEDY AND STATED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11104186

May 26, 2018Electrical system

REAR RADAR NOT WORKING SO NO WARNING OF PEDESTRIANS OR VEHICLES. THERE IS NO DETECTABLE NOISE TO WARN OPERATOR. SERVICE MANGROVE AR BONITA MERCEDES OF FL. SAYS HE COULD DRILL SOME HOLES IN CA?.?? HAVE ALMOST BEEN STRUCK SEVERAL TIMES, THIS MUST BE A SYSTEM PROBLEM THE WAY THE ARE AVOIDING. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI 11098119

May 13, 2018Engine

ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11093515

May 7, 2018SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

TAKATA AIRBAG DEFECT. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL FROM MB IN NOVEMBER, 2017, ALMOST 8 MONTHS AGO. DESPITE NUMEROUS FOLLOWUPS WITH BOTH MB AND THE DEALER, NEITHER MB OR THE MB DEALER CAN TELL ME WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP BEFORE MY WIFE OR I OR OTHER PERSONS ARE INJURED OR WORSE. THE MB NOTICE STATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUNDING, AN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE AND A BROKEN STEERING MODULE CLOCK SPRING, CAUSING INJURY AND RISK OF A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI 11092301

Mar 20, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)

ESP INOPERATIVE AND ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST WARNINGS APPEARED IN INSTRUMENT PANEL. CAR THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH ON A MAIN ROAD. NO BRAKES, NO STEERING, NO ACCELERATION. FUEL ODORS WERE PROMINENT. AFTER RESTARTING CAR, SAFELY MADE IT TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE/REPRODUCE ISSUE BUT PERFORMED 'RESET'. ERROR MESSAGES APPEARED AGAIN 03/19/18. 2ND TRIP TO DEALER UNDERWAY. DEALER OFFERED TO PICK UP CAR FOR ME UNDERSTANDING MY EXPERIENCE JUST A WEEK PRIOR.

NHTSA ODI 11080358

Mar 9, 2018Steering

2017 MERCEDES BENZ E300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF STEERING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11031108

Feb 20, 2018

CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN GOING 60 MPH ON A MAIN ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11073762

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 165 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Mercedes-benz E-class Cabrio verdict →