2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 problems, complaints & recalls

2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 recalls (16)

• Recall 21V072000Feb 12, 202167 vehicles
  COMMUNICATION · COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.

  Risk: A disabled eCall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.

• Recall 21V058000Feb 5, 20211,292,258 vehicles
  COMMUNICATION: AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.

  Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

• Recall 20V449000Jul 31, 202056 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced. The software in the replaced instrument cluster may cause the seat belt warning system to not operate properly, only displaying a solid warning light if either the driver or passenger seat belt is unfastened, instead of a blinking light with an audible tone.

  Risk: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020080015.

• Recall 18V271000Apr 27, 201842 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 4Matic, E300, E43 AMG, and E400 vehicles. The headlight horizontal adjustment screws on these vehicles may not be properly sealed behind a non-removable sealing cap to keep headlights from being readjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk: If the headlight's horizontal aim is altered, a misaimed headlight may lead to an insufficiently illuminated roadway, which may increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will retrofit the sealing caps for the headlights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018050012.

• Recall 18V151000Mar 6, 201828 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 4Matic, E300, and E43 AMG vehicles fitted with LED headlights. These vehicles may have misadjusted headlights, possibly resulting in the low beam headlights insufficiently illuminating the roadway. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk: An insufficiently illuminated roadway may increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp adjustment, adjusting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018030005.

• Recall 17V714000Nov 14, 201772 vehicles
  STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300, S65 AMG Coupe, S550, S65 AMG Cabriolet, S550 Cabriolet, S550e, S65 AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach S600 vehicles. A transistor within the power steering control unit may overheat resulting in the power steering system being disabled.

  Risk: If the power steering assist is unexpectedly disabled, it may increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering rack, replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

• Recall 17V574000Sep 19, 20174 vehicles
  STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling one 2017 C43 AMG, one E300 4Matic sedan, one GLC300, and one E43 AMG 4Matic sedan. These vehicles have electrical power steering control units with improperly welded contact pins.

  Risk: The improperly welded pins may lose contact, deactivating the power steering assist and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

• Recall 17V246000Apr 11, 2017411 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 E300 and 2017 E300 4MATIC vehicles. The affected vehicles have a roof mounted spoiler that may not be properly attached and thus may detach while driving.

  Risk: If the roof-mounted spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing a risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the roof spoilers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 9, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 17V241000Apr 11, 201758,323 vehicles
  STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, E400 4Matic Coupe, GL63 AMG, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic and GLE63S AMG Coupe 4Matic vehicles, 2017 E300 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles, and 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic BlueTec, GL450 4Matic, and GL550 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering connector that may be insufficiently sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.

  Risk: If water enters the power steering control unit, the power steering assist may be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and inspect the electric power steering rack, replacing the rack as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 30, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 17V245000Apr 11, 201715 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 and E300 4MATIC vehicles. The software for the widescreen instrument cluster may cause the instrument cluster to not display anything on vehicle on startup, or the display may reset while driving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

  Risk: Without the instrument cluster displaying important information such as the vehicle's speed, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster display software, free of charge. The recall began late May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 17V176000Mar 14, 201765 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

  Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 and E300 4Matic vehicles. The front passenger air bag may not deploy properly if a front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Risk: In the event of a crash that necessitates air bag deployment, if the air bag does not deploy as intended, there would be an increased risk of occupant injury.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owner's can contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 17V114000Feb 23, 2017307,629 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and GLC300 vehicles and 2016-2017 C450 4Matic AMG Sport and GLC300 4Matic vehicles. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.

  Risk: If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017080002.

• Recall 17V078000Feb 8, 201773 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 and E300 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module. If the internal circuit board is damaged, moving the shift lever will not select a transmission gear.

  Risk: If the vehicle does not move forward or backward as selected by the driver with the shift lever, there is an increased risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column-mounted shift lever module, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 17V076000Feb 8, 201712,456 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300, E300 4Matic, and E43 AMG vehicles. The front passenger occupant detection control unit may have been incorrectly installed. As a result, the front passenger seat occupant may be misclassified. For example, an adult may be misclassified as a child seat, causing the front passenger air bag to be deactivated in the event of a crash.

  Risk: If the passenger front air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of a injury.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the pressure hose of the seat occupancy detection control unit and replace the pressure hose and seat occupancy detection mat if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 17V080000Feb 8, 20172,112 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E550 Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, E550 Cabriolet, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 Wagon, GLA250, and GLA250 4Matic vehicles. The pelvis air bag or the front passenger air bag inflator initiator may fail to ignite in the event of a crash.

  Risk: If the pelvis airbag or the front passenger airbag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.

  Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

• Recall 16V758000Oct 19, 20166,858 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

  Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2017 E300 Sedan and E300 Sedan 4Matic vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to June 30, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the rear bench seat frame may contact and damage the wiring harness for the fuel pump, fuel tank pressure sensor or fuel level gauge.

  Risk: Damage to the fuel pump wiring may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will modify the routing of the affected wiring harness, repairing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 28, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

  Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…

Recent 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 12, 2026FLFireElectrical System

   The Starting Current Limiter Recall (NHTSA Campaign 16V831000 / 17V114000): If your E-Class failed to start or struggled to crank initially, a defective starting current limiter can severely overheat the electrical lines to the starter, causing nearby components-including the battery assembly and main wiring—to melt and smoke. The above is exactly what happened. I was sitting at a red light and the car shut off and I tried to start it again and smoke started coming out of…

   NHTSA complaint #11763775 · source
2. Filed Aug 4, 2026CAEngine

   My vehicle has about 68k miles, while driving on freeway all of sudden the car engine started to shake and check engine light came on dashboard. This engine shaking would stop when vehicle was being driven at high speed. Upon returning home I checked the DTC codes and had P300, P301 engine misfire codes. My mechanic suggested to have spark plugs and Ignition coil#1 to be changed. I bought new plugs from dealer for the replacement. When my mechanic completed this repair bit…

   NHTSA complaint #11754872 · source
3. Filed May 2, 2026LADriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

   There is a recall on my year model 2017 Mercedes E3 hundred 4matic for the steering column shift module, but I’m being told that my specific vin was not included, but it is having the exact issues as the recall while driving the shift lever will not leave drive to go into reverse. It will only go to park. It refuses shift commands. If I shut the engine off and turn it back on sometimes it will allow me to go into other gears again.

   NHTSA complaint #11735276 · source
4. Filed Apr 22, 2026VAElectrical SystemEngine

   My car is not accelerating when I shift into drive or reverse. It says “reversing not possile-service required” error. Out the blue. There is a known recall on these model cars but Mercedes benz is saying its vin specific and mine is not covered even though I am experiencing the exact same issue. Recall date- 2017-02-07 Recall no. 17V078000

   NHTSA complaint #11732941 · source
5. Filed Apr 13, 2026TXOther / UnknownSteering

   I’m having issues with my control module not going forward or backwards at times and there was a recall on models of this vehicle for that exact reason NHTSA ID: 17V078000 Issued: Feb 2, 17. Dealership is telling me it’s not open. I’m scared for my safety when my car doesn’t shift in the correct gear. This started in 2021 or 2022 and I’m not getting resolution. When getting my bumper repaired I noticed that this was on the recall list a few years ago. I’ll submit the papers…

   NHTSA complaint #11730864 · source
6. Filed Mar 17, 2026FLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I own a 2017 mercedes benz e-class. I'm starting to smell gasoline in the cabin and also outside of my vehicle. I tried entering my VIN number to see if any recalls. There is something listed for the smell of gas. Can someone help me regarding this matter.

   NHTSA complaint #11725111 · source
7. Filed Jan 28, 2026144,000 miDCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Reverse not Possible - Service Required" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact waited for approximately five to ten minutes, and the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was…

   NHTSA complaint #11714019 · source
8. Filed Nov 21, 202580,000 miFLSteering

   The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly while turning. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and to the dealer, but no DTC was retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V714000 (Steering); however, the VIN was…

   NHTSA complaint #11700877 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology