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

The digital dash, which shows my speed, mileage, engine temperature, rims and fuel level goes blank. Then comes on for a few seconds and goes dark again. Vehicle only has 43k miles. MB dealer said this is not uncommon condition with the 2018 mb e400. Car is not safe to drive. MB dealer wants $6,100.00 to replace the unit. A software reboot will not work.

NHTSA ODI 11688398

The car did not give any warning before this issue came about. A matter of fact when I took it to the mechanic they were unable to do a diagnostic test because there were no error messages and check engine light never came on. After taking it to the dealership they were able to check the history and saw that the error code P061b00 shows that the clutch position switch module needs to be replaced. While driving in traffic the car went into N (neutral) and wouldn’t not go back in D (drive). It took several minutes of me trying to change gears but it eventually went into P (park). The vehicle is unable to change gears sometimes and this is unsettling because the safety of myself, my children and others is affected if I’m driving and the car goes into neutral all of a sudden with no warning or goes into park and is unable to move. This occurred several times within a two week span while my children were in the car and this could have ended very differently. I took it to a certified mechanic who provided an explanation based on the error code received and stated that this was a huge safety issues that needed to be addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11665796

In April 2022, I purchased a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300 4MATIC from CarMax in Tinley Park, Illinois. After the purchase, I discovered several unresolved issues that compromised the vehicle's safety and reliability. Key components, including the battery and alternator, were defective. Mercedes-Benz confirmed the battery had not been replaced since 2018, despite CarMax’s assurance that it was new. This defect contributed to electrical system malfunctions, affecting the vehicle’s performance. Additionally, CarMax conducted substandard repainting on the backseat. The peeling paint transferred to my clothing while driving, causing financial losses and embarrassment. Issues with the rims were also mishandled, further compromising the vehicle's quality. CarMax failed to disclose unresolved safety recalls affecting critical vehicle systems, and their inadequate repairs and omissions put my safety at risk. These defects have caused significant inconvenience, financial loss, and concerns about the vehicle’s reliability. Despite requests, CarMax has not adequately addressed these issues. CarMax acquired the vehicle in 2021 from its first owner, who had purchased it in 2018. At the time of acquisition, the vehicle had been driven 45,069 miles. When I purchased it in 2022, the odometer read 57,925 miles, indicating that CarMax operated the vehicle for 12,856 miles. This period of use was later discovered to involve its usage as a loaner vehicle, a fact not disclosed during the transaction. Upon taking possession of the vehicle, I became aware of several safety issues that were not disclosed, including unresolved recalls affecting key components of the vehicle. Despite the critical nature of these recalls, CarMax sold the vehicle without addressing these defects or informing me of their existence. Omission of Material Safety Information: CarMax failed to disclose the vehicle’s use as a loaner car and any associated wear and tear, which likely exacerbated the safety risks.

NHTSA ODI 11635362

The back-up camera failed while in the middle of reversing. Screen went completely black and unresponsive. Putting the car in Park then back to Reverse didn't work, screen still black. Tried turning off the car and turning it back on, screen still black and no back-up camera when I put the car in Reverse. I tried turning on / off the infotainment system and no change, screen still black. Later in the day when I got back in the car, the screen came up MUCH slower than usual, but did eventually come back up. This has happened multiple times and I've taken it to the dealer multiple times for this, but they've not been able to fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11559062

When taking curves the vehicle is making a cracking noise but, mechanic said they don’t see anything. My W213 Mercedes Benz E300 just like all other Mercedes is have a “Crankcase” issue, it failed the engine keep revving but, not catching speed. I’ve seen multiple Mercedes is having that issues and it’s very common. My vehicle computer communication system failed to communicate with the key sometimes won’t start and will run out of power overnight mainly happen during winter times and when it rains.

NHTSA ODI 11547889

Alternator failed on my E400 cabriolet 23,000 miles resulting in car shutting down while engine running. Required a tow to dealer service area, 35 miles away.

NHTSA ODI 11544035

Backup camera does not work sometimes. A picture of the camera with a slash mark across it comes up on a black command screen. This is a big safety issue when I back up

NHTSA ODI 11542077

According to the Mersedes dealer it is Engine Harness it is possible manufacture defect. Car has only 38900 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11530446

ON MAY 30, 2020, AROUND 3 PM, MY SON WAS THE DRIVER AND MY WIFE AND I WERE THE PASSENGERS DRIVING IN JERSEY CITY, NJ (USA). WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE ROAD, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND IT SHOWED A CAR WITH ZIG ZAG LINES AND STATED INOPERABLE. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN A DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITH CARS GOING AROUND US. THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. WE TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR MANY TIMES WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON AND STATING INOPERABLE. AFTER A LITTLE WHILE, WE WERE ABLE TO PLACE IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH THE CAR TO SAFETY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE STILL BLOCKING A LANE. WE THEN CALLED THE MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER WHERE A TECHNICIAN TRIED TO HELP US VIA TELEPHONE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND FINALLY 2 HOURS LATER, WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE FAMILY HAD TO TAKE UBER HOME. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO RAY CATENA MERCEDES IN UNION, NJ, USA AND WE RECEIVED A CALL THIS MORNING THAT THEY WILL INSPECT IT LATER ON TODAY. THE REASON I AM BRINGING THIS INCIDENT TO YOUR ATTENTION IS THAT THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY INJURIES BUT WOULD LIKE YOU TO BE AWARE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO ANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNER AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IN NATURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327065

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E-300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURES. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SEATTLE LOCATED AT (2025 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA 98134) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CONTACT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO BE PERFORMED. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE TWO FRONT TIRES EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OF THE FAILURES BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11312130

THIS NOTE REGARDS COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11301860, WHICH I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. PLEASE REFER TO IT FOR INFORMATION. MERCEDES-BENZ TOOK THE VEHICLE TO M-B FAYETTEVILLE, NC ON 1-31-20 AND RETURNED IT ON 2-3-20. AFTER ONLY 54 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS PERFORMING EXACTLY AS IT DID WHEN I FIRST REPORTED THIS ISSUE. IN MY VIEW, THE DEFICIENCIES CAN LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT'S ELECTRONIC "SAFETY" ASSIST FACILITIES LULLS ONE INTO A DEPENDENCY AND FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THEN, THEY STOP WORKING WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN ON BUSY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA ODI 11307931

MY VEHICLE IS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E63S. ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN, IT REPORTS "BRAKE-ASSIST INOPERABLE; BLIND SPOT ASSIST INOPERABLE; DISTANCE ASSIST INOPERABLE"; PLUS, THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE TROUBLE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THEY ARE NOT FALSE MESSAGES. THE ITEMS REPORTED DO STOP WORKING. THAT'S EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ESTABLISHES A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. BEYOND THAT, THE ENGINE IN THE CAR HAS LOST POWER NUMEROUS TIMES. THAT COULD BE CALAMITOUS IF YOU WERE PASSING AND A CAR SUDDENLY CAME AT YOU HEAD-ON. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MERCEDES BENZ BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO ANYTHING. THEY ACT AS IF THEY SIMPLY DO NOT CARE. GO FIGURE. BUT THAT'S THE TRUTH. THAT'S OUR EXPERIENCE, AT LEAST.

NHTSA ODI 11301860

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

NHTSA ODI 11088487