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 7 of 7

Feb 19, 2018Electrical systemBody & structureFire

THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER IT BEING IN SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS SENT TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE AUTO START WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CAR WOULD JUST STOP AND COULD NOT TURN BACK ON SO I HAD TO GET IT TOWED 3 TIMES...... AFTER THE LAST TIME IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WITH THE PASSENGER INSIDE THE CAR..... PASSENGER IS OK DID NOT GET HURT BUT IT WAS A VERY TRAUMATIZING EXPERIENCE. THE CAR IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS AND I'M STILL WAITING ON THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE THE FIRE AND TO PAY FOR THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11073625

Jan 23, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM SPRING (4095 E PALM CANYON DR, PALM SPRING, CA 92264), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN EMAIL WOULD BE SENT AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11064463

Jan 8, 2018Equipment

THE VEHICLE HAS A KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT WHICH HAS BEEN REFERRED TO BOTH THE PRESIDENT OF MERCEDES BENZ USA AND THE CHAIRMAN OF DAIMLER AG (PARENT OF MERCEDES BENZ USA) IN GERMANY. MB USA HAS STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS A THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE ERROR AND HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRODUCT. IT APPEARS TO BE A COVER-UP NOT DISSIMILAR TO THE VW ISSUE WHERE MANAGEMENT IS ACTIVELY AVOIDING ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM AND WON'T PUT ITS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN WRITING OR ADVISE THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE OF THE ISSUE AND ITS POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING IMPACT. IN SUM, THE GPS SYSTEM IN THE $60,000+ IS NOT ACCURATE AND MAY GIVE SUBSTANTIALLY FALSE INFORMATION, CAUSING A DRIVER TO GO TO PLACES/AREAS WHICH MAY BE DANGEROUS. THE MOST EGREGIOUS ASPECT IS THAT MB THINKS IT IS SMARTER THAN EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE REGULATORY AGENCIES, AND ARE PURPOSEFULLY IGNORING THE PUBLIC'S SAFETY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. MULTIPLE PHOTOS HAVE BEEN SENT TO MB AND THE MB ENGINEERS VERIFIED THE SAFETY PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I HAVE INDICATED BELOW THE SEPTEMBER DATE OF THE FIRST LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF MBUSA, THE ISSUE WAS NOTICED BY ME IN JULY 2017, REPORTED TO THE LOCAL DEALER IN AUGUST, CONFIRMED SUBSEQUENTLY AND IS ON GOING. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11061184

Oct 28, 2017

PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11040697

Oct 17, 2017

WHILE DRIVING ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE A PIECE OF DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD, THE SIZE OF A SMALL ROCK, STRUCK THE TEMPERED BUT NOT LAMINATED GLASS SUNROOF, SHATTERED IT, AND CAUSED IT TO DISINTEGRATE INTO MANY SHARDS OF GLASS, FLYING OVER, AROUND, AND INTO THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11034158

Sep 22, 2017Electrical systemFuel system

DISTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY THE BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT NO ACCELERATION WAS POSSIBLE - KIND OF A PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. PULLED OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF CAR. RESTARTED FINE AND 10 MINS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED. DEALER REPAIRED AND SAID IT WAS A SOFTWARE GLITCH THAT REQUIRED AN UPDATE. SOME GLITCH!

NHTSA ODI 11025117

Sep 20, 2017Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E400 CONVERTIBLE EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN M+S TUBELESS RADIO X TIRES, SIZE: 255/35/R18 94H (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS INFLATED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT SUDDENLY. THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL EUROCARS (3705 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304 AT (888) 701-6470), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI 11024685

Sep 15, 2017Engine & coolingElectrical systemAirbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V076000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (MERCEDES-BENZ OF CLEAR LAKE, CLEAR LAKE, TX, 281-554-9100) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. 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....UPDATED 10/27/17 *BF UPDATED 11/2/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 11023687

Sep 7, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V080000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF BROOKLYN DEALER (1800 SHORE PKWY, BROOKLYN, NY 11214; 718-258-5100) AND THE HELMS BROS INC. DEALER (20824 NORTHERN BLVD, BAYSIDE, NY 11361; 877-699-8519). BOTH DEALERS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PURCHASED AT THEIR LOCATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11022197

Aug 19, 2017Body & structure

RECALL 17V246 WAS PERFORMED AT AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP, COUPLE WEEKS AFTER THE SPOILER FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING, ALMOST STRIKING THE FOLLOWING CAR BEHIND ME AND GOING INTO ITS WINDSHIELD CAUSING POTENTIAL CRASH.

NHTSA ODI 11016290

Aug 17, 2017Brakes

THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE SPACE FOR MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL IS ONLY ABOUT 1/4-INCH WIDER THAN MY FOOT. SO, IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, WHEN TRYING TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO APPLY THE BRAKES, MY FOOT BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. BY THE TIME I FINALLY GOT MY FOOT ON TOP OF THE GAS PEDAL, IT WAS ALMOST TOO LATE. I ALMOST CRASHED.

NHTSA ODI 11015947

Jul 27, 2017Parking BrakeElectrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DELRAY MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/01/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI 11011004

Mar 20, 2017Electrical systemAirbagsBrakesEngine

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, THE BRAKES SCREECHED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST AND "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V076000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V114000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT AND VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10967270

Feb 28, 2017Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,600. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10957617

Jan 1, 2017Visibility & wipers

THE SUNROOF FOR MY 2017 MERCEDES E300 JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AROUND 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY ON A RAINY DAY, WITH NO ONE IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I HEAR A LOUD NOISE THAT STARTLED ME. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED UNTIL I HEARD WIND NOISE FROM OUTSIDE AND REALIZED THE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER, I REALIZED THAT THE THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN MY SUNROOF AND IT SEEMED TO HAVE ORIGINATE FROM INSIDE, AS THE GLASS WAS PUSHED OUTWARD. WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, DRIVING ON A STRETCH OF HIGHWAY WITH NO OVERPASS, I SUSPECT THAT THE GLASS OR CAR HAD A DEFECT AND SHATTERED ON ITS OWN. IT WAS A SCARY INCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CAUSE FOR THE INCIDENT IS UNKNOWN SINCE THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR OTHER FOREIGN OBJECT THAT WAS NEAR THAT COULD HAVE SPECIFICALLY HIT THE SUNROOF WITH DOING NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10938962

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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 →