Home · 2018 Mercedes-benz E-class Wagon · Complaints

What 66 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Mercedes-benz E-class Wagon

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 (66)Crash / fire / injury (7)Electrical system (13)Engine (13)Wheels (8)Steering (7)Transmission & drivetrain (6)Driver assistance (5)Body & structure (4)Brakes (4)Seat belts (4)Speed control (4)

Newest first · 66 complaints · page 3 of 3

Jan 3, 2020Brakes

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

NHTSA ODI 11296816

Jun 17, 2019Steering

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

NHTSA ODI 11220714

Jun 4, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF GEORGETOWN (7401 I-35, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626, (512) 930-6150) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11217716

May 10, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MERCEDES BENZ OF SARASOTA (4754 CLARK RD, SARASOTA, FL 34233) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11206790

May 1, 2019BrakesDriver assistance

THE CAR ACTIVATED ITS EMERGENCY BRAKING FUNCTION UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS DRIVING ON A COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS STREET. NO CARS NO BAGS NO WIND NO ANYTHING AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH. ALL CLEAR AIR TEMP 83 DEGREES F. SUNSHINE. NO ADVERSE CONDITIONS. CAR SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON BRAKES WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR REASON WHATSOEVER. SEATBELT TIGHTENED PER PROCEDURE. FORTUNATELY THERE'S WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME TO REAR END ME. TOOK CAR STRAIGHT TO DEALER. SCANNED FOR CODES. NONE FOUND. CAR IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. NO. THERE ARE OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES ON LINE IN THE MERCEDES FORUMS. PLEAS INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI 11205093

Mar 29, 2019Speed controlDriver assistance

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND CONTROLLED BY ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 35 MPH. THE TIME WAS 12:40 PM ET ON 29 MARCH 2019. SEEMINGLY THE CAR WENT INTO CRASH PREVENTION MODE BY TIGHTENING THE SEAT BELT AND EXECUTING A MAXIMUM FORCE BRAKING STOP. THE TIRES SQUEALED. MY CHEST WAS SORE WHERE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED WITH FORCE. APPROXIMATE LOCATION: SOUTHBOUND ON LANDMARK DR. NEAR ASHCROFT CT. CLEARWATER, FL 33761. LANDMARK DR. IS A RESIDENTIAL TWO LANE ROAD RUNNING NORTH-SOUTH WITH DUAL YELLOW PAINTED CENTER MARKING. ROAD IS STRAIGHT AND FLAT FOR APPROXIMATELY .2 MILE IN EACH DIRECTION. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES, PEDESTRIANS OR ANIMALS WITHIN SIGHT IN EITHER DIRECTION. WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND DRY WITH THE TEMPERATURE NEAR 82F.

NHTSA ODI 11192423

Jan 1, 2019EngineFire

I WAS DRIVING IN THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE TRAVELING FROM MIAMI I STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION TO GO TO THE RESTROOM AND WHEN I CAME BACK MY CAR HAD A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD TO GET THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE GAS STATION, OPENED THE HOOD AND PUT DOWN THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. MY CONCERN WAS NOT JUST MY SAFETY BUT THE FACT THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO THE GAS STATION. THERE WAS 0 WARNING AND NO ERRATIC BEHAVIOUR FROM THE CAR BEFORE THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11164363

Sep 29, 2018

I WAS IN AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH AND THE CAR WAS IN PARK. WHEN THE WASH WAS COMPLETE, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVED FORWARD. THE PROXIMITY SENSORS KEPT SOUNDING THOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE WAY. AFTER SHIFTING IT IN AND OUT OF GEAR, TURNING THE STEERING WHEN BACK AND FORTH AND PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CAR FINALLY SHOT FORWARD OUT OF THE WASH BAY. I LATER CALLED THE IN-CAR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY SAID THAT SOMETIME THE SENSORS GET COVERED WITH THE PRODUCTS USED IN THE CAR WASH.

NHTSA ODI 11132217

Sep 7, 2018

CONTACT STATES THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE ABOVE OR AROUND THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS BEFORE A MAKING A TURN, SPECIFICALLY A LEFT TURN. CONTACT SAYS DRIVERS SEAT HAS BEEN RAISED TO THE HIGHEST POSITION. *TT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. UPDATED 10/3/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11128889

Aug 1, 2018

WINDSHIELD WAS STRUCK BY A ROCK AND AN INCH HORIZONTAL CRACK HAS SINCE POPPED UP. CAR WAS PURCHASED 06/28. HAD MANY CARS BEFORE & NEVER HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. GM & CHRYSLER. THIS IS MY FIRST FOREIGN MADE CAR & LOW AND BEHOLD, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A ROCK. THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE WITH MB.

NHTSA ODI 11115056

Jul 30, 2018Body & structure1 injury

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND EITHER OF THE FRONT DOORS ARE OPENED, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM SLAMMING ONTO SOMEONE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS UNLESS THE VEHICLE ON A SLOPE DOWNHILL OR TOWARDS THE SIDE OF THE DOOR THAT IS OPENED. THIS HAS BRUISED MY LEGS AND MY TEEN-AGED DAUGHTER'S LEGS. I WILL NOT ALLOW MY 85 YEAR OLD FATHER TO EXIT WITHOUT SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD HIS DOOR OPEN. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS REPLACED THE HINGES ONCE UNDER WARRANTY BUT SAYS NOW THAT THEY ARE "OPERATING AS DESIGNED." I GUESS THE DESIGN IS THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11114582

Jun 14, 2018Body & structure

ROOF SPOILER WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL OF: 17V246, BUT HAD FLOWN OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. ROOF SPOILER WAS REATTACHED BUT HAD FLOWN OFF AFTER 500 MILES OF DRIVING. THE ROOF SPOILER STARTED TO BANGING AGAINST THE REAR WINDSHIELD UNTIL IT FLEW OFF DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A THE HIGHWAY. THE SPOILER FLEW OFF HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY HAZARD AS IT CAN STRIKE AND KILL.

NHTSA ODI 11101948

Jun 6, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E400 4MATIC WAGON WITH PREMIUM PACKAGE 3 THAT INCLUDES ALL OF THE AVAILABLE DRIVER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (SEMI AUTONOMOUS STEERING, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE KEEP ASSISTANCE, BLINDSPOT DETECTION, AUTOMATIC PARKING ASSIST, CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT). ACCORDING TO MERCEDES, THE PROGRAM TITLED DRIVE PILOT WITH STEER ASSIST, IS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE WHEN THERE ARE LANE MARKINGS OR EVEN FOLLOW A CAR AHEAD IF THERE ARE NO LANE MARKINGS. WELL, THIS SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE. IT CAN'T STAY CENTERED IN THE LANE, INSTEAD IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE PLAYING A GAME OF PONG GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE LANE MARKERS. THAT IS, WHEN IT WORKS. WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK (MOST OF THE TIME), YOU WILL BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT SUDDENLY STARTS DRIFTING OUT OF THE LANE TO FOLLOW THE CURVE OF AN OFF RAMP OR IT SUDDENLY DISABLES ITSELF BECAUSE IT CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE LANE MARKINGS ARE. THERE'S NO AUDIBLE WARNING OR BIG VISUAL CUE THE STEER ASSIST HAS ENDED, JUST A TINY LITTLE STEERING WHEEL ICON IN THE HEAD UP DISPLAY TURNS FROM GREEN TO GRAY. MERCEDES ADVERTISED THIS SYSTEM TO BE BETTER THAN OR AT LEAST ON PAR WITH TESLA'S AUTOPILOT, YET IT CAN'T READ STOP LIGHTS, CAN'T EVEN STAY IN WELL MARKED LANES AND COMBINED WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL THAT HAS NO WAY OF CHANGING HOW QUICKLY IT ACCELERATES, FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS OUT OF CONTROL. WHAT I FIND EVEN MORE DISAPPOINTING IS THAT THE MERCEDES APPARENTLY WILL NOT BE GIVEN SOFTWARE UPDATES TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM UNLIKE TESLA WHO IS CONSTANTLY PROVIDING THEIR VEHICLES WITH OVER THE AIR UPDATES. IF MERCEDES CAN'T DO OTA UPDATES FINE, BUT THEY MUST UPDATE THESE CARS ARE THE DEALERS. I FEEL LIKE THIS SYSTEM DESPERATELY NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO BE EVEN MARGINALLY FUNCTIONAL. DEALER HAS NO CLUE ABOUT THESE ISSUES BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS ONE OF THE ONLY ONES ORDERED WITH ALL OF THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

NHTSA ODI 11100119

Apr 16, 2018Electrical system

ELECTRICAL WIRING AND OTHER PLASTIC TUBING DAMAGE FROM RODENTS WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY ON CITY STREET

NHTSA ODI 11088487

Jan 26, 2018Visibility & wipers

WE LEASED A 2018 MERCEDES E300 EXACTLY ONE MONTH AGO. FOR OUR TEST DRIVE WE TOOK A SHORT TRIP TAKING ALL RIGHT TURNS. SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE CAR MY WIFE HAS HAD SERIOUS VISIBILITY PROBLEMS LOOKING TO THE LEFT, ESPECIALLY AT 4 WAY STOPS. SHE HAS HAD 2 VERY CLOSE INCIDENTS AT THESE STOPS, THE LATEST NEAR COLLISION JUST YESTERDAY. SHE IS SHORT (5 FT.) AND THE SEAT DOES NOT RAISE HIGH ENOUGH. AS A RESULT, WHEN SHE GAZES TO THE LEFT THERE IS A LARGE BLIND SPOT CREATED BY THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR. THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS IN THIS NEW MODEL ARE QUITE LARGE DUE TO THE INCREASED TECHNOLOGY AND THEY ARE SET VERY HIGH. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH OUR SALESMAN TODAY. HIS RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT MY WIFE PRESS THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR TO FOLD IN THE MIRROR EACH TIME SHE COMES TO A STOP SIGN. NOT VERY PRACTICAL I THINK. THEY DID OFFER TO SWITCH US TO A SMALL SUV FOR AN ABSURDLY HIGH PENALTY TO BREAK OUR CURRENT LEASE. I ALSO CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY COULD OFFER NO RESOLUTION, STATING THAT THE E300 HAS A "UNIVERSAL DESIGN" TO FIT ALL DRIVER SIZES.

NHTSA ODI 11065306

Jan 12, 2018Body & structure

THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR NEEDS EXCESSIVE FORCE TO CLOSE THE DOOR SAFELY WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11062326

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Working with the data? Download all 66 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 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 2018 Mercedes-benz E-class Wagon verdict →