US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

Mercedes-Benz E-Class recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 19
Total Complaints 412
Years Covered 1992–2008

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Airbags

2 campaigns · Years: 1997, 1999

These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.

Official notices (evidence):

Brakes

2 campaigns · Years: 2003–2005

These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.

Official notices (evidence):

Electrical

2 campaigns · Years: 1992–1995, 2003–2006

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):

Engine and cooling

1 campaign · Years: 1996

These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Seats and restraints

1 campaign · Years: 2004

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Steering and suspension

1 campaign · Years: 2003

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in NHTSA complaint data are Electrical system, Suspension:front:springs:coil springs, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2008 0 5 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Wheels, Wheels:rim.
2006 1 11 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline, Fuel/propulsion system, Air bags.
2005 3 10 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
2004 4 19 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Power train:automatic transmission, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
2003 4 69 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulic, Fuel system, gasoline.
2002 0 8 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Child seat, Visibility:power window devices and controls.
2001 0 33 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Interior lighting, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
2000 0 61 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Power train:automatic transmission.
1999 1 20 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front, Structure:frame and members, Suspension:front:springs:coil springs.
1998 0 31 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front:springs:coil springs, Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
1997 1 43 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front:springs:coil springs, Structure:frame and members, Suspension:front.
1996 1 18 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Electrical system.
1995 1 29 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Electrical system, Electrical system:wiring.
1994 1 46 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Electrical system:wiring, Electrical system.
1993 1 9 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Electrical system:wiring, Electrical system.
1992 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Electrical system , Service brakes and Air bags

Show recall evidence by year

2006

  • Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-clas

2005

  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (04V296000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will switch, as it is designed to do, into the
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (05V133000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.
  • Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-clas

2004

  • Seat belts: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V534000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, some seat belt buckles may have a burr on a metal component of the locking mechanism. The presence of the burr could prevent the seat belt from locking under certain circumstances.
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (04V296000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will switch, as it is designed to do, into the
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (05V133000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.
  • Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-clas

2003

  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V289000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, the nut on the bolt which connects the steering gear to the steering coupling may not be tightened correctly.
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (04V296000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will switch, as it is designed to do, into the
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (05V133000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.
  • Electrical system: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (08V303000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-clas

1999

  • Air bags: Side/window: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V256000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A wrong clamp may have been installed on the window air bag units.

1997

  • Air bags: Side/window: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V388000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have experienced side air bag deployments in the absence of a crash.

1996

  • Engine and engine cooling: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V058000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The drive belt pulley on the engine can develop fatigue cracks in the metal and break. If the drive pulley breaks, the car would not have engine cooling, battery charging, and/or power steering.

1995

  • Electrical system: Wiring: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V031000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The front passenger metal foot rest can, over time, abrade through the wiring harness under the foot rest causing the wiring harness to short circuit.

1994

  • Electrical system: Wiring: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V031000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The front passenger metal foot rest can, over time, abrade through the wiring harness under the foot rest causing the wiring harness to short circuit.

1993

  • Electrical system: Wiring: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V031000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The front passenger metal foot rest can, over time, abrade through the wiring harness under the foot rest causing the wiring harness to short circuit.

1992

  • Electrical system: Wiring: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V031000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The front passenger metal foot rest can, over time, abrade through the wiring harness under the foot rest causing the wiring harness to short circuit.

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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