What 54 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Mercedes-benz E-class Wagon

Backgroud: Recall #26V216 recalls classes of Mercedes vehicles for U-Joint failures. My vehicle - 2019 E460 4Matic Wagon is included in this class under the notice (Vehicle #6 [XXX] ) Issue: I took my vehicle to the dealer on Monday, 5/11 because of a hard knocking sound when I de/accelerate. Dealer inspected and noted that my Ujoint has failed. The estimate is $8100 for repairs. MB and dealer have both indicated that my VIN is not covered by the recall but have not explained why. My car is currently unsafe to drive and therefore non-operational. I have not approved repairs because of the substantial cost and resolution of whether covered by Recall warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11738092

I was driving about 30 mph and getting on to the highway. Once I got on a beep came on from the car and every single warning light came on the car. Check engine all warnings including emergency brake collision warning the list goes on and on. I immediately got off the highway and once I got to a complete stop the car was barely accelerating. I wasn’t able to shift gears from drive I was stuck in drive. Couldn’t park the car reverse or anything. I had to turn the car off. The car didn’t turn on and then after 5 minutes it turned back on. This is 1 week after me receiving the car back for the same issue. This was the 2nd occurrence of this and when I dropped it off at the dealer they had it for 2 weeks and they “fixed” the issue. There is obviously something wrong with the car and has several problems.

NHTSA ODI 11668083

The primary failure involved the electrical system and speed control, which posed a significant safety risk to myself and other drivers. The issue first presented itself when I noticed intermittent warning lights and error messages flashing on the dashboard, including indicators for the electronic stability program (ESP), steering assist, and lane tracking features. These malfunctions created erratic driving conditions, including unexpected acceleration delays and inconsistent cruise control behavior. Approximately one week before the vehicle was repossessed, I reported the issue to the dealership and requested inspection. However, I was not provided a definitive diagnosis or service record confirming evaluation or remediation. The vehicle was subsequently remotely disabled without proper notice or opportunity to repair, placing me at risk by stranding me in an unsafe location without functional transportation. This vehicle may have also been equipped with over-the-air control features or aftermarket immobilizers unknown to me at the time of financing. To date, I have not been able to inspect the system because the vehicle was taken from my possession under a disputed contract. I believe the problem has not been properly addressed or documented by Mercedes-Benz, and the vehicle is not currently available for inspection as it remains in the control of the finance company. Prior to this incident, no physical warning lamps were persistent, though the vehicle intermittently displayed electronic system errors, especially during startup or inclement weather. This complaint is being submitted due to serious concerns about vehicle safety, electronic control vulnerabilities, and potential manufacturer negligence. I request that NHTSA initiate a review of the E-Class E450A systems involved in driver assistance, electrical integration, and potential remote immobilization tied to finance enforcement.

NHTSA ODI 11658594

DRIVING AT 75 MPH, CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO APPROX 45MPH WITHOUT WARNING. A TRIANGLE WITH RED IMAGE OF THE CAR'S REAR APPEARED ON SCREEN. I GRADUALLY INCREASED SPEED BACK UP TO 70 MPH AND SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. CAR IS 2 YRS OLD WITH 7200 MILES ON IT. M-B DEALERSHIP HAS THE CAR NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11387009