The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is associated with 166 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 20 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 26 reports (16% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 14 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 4.7l 8-cyl, and 3.5l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 25 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 43 MPGe (21 MPG on gasoline) with up to 12 miles of electric driving range. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class belongs to the 5th generation (W213) E-Class platform spanning model years 2017–2023.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 166 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 20 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (26 / 16%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 3 crash / 3 fire / 8 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 19–25 MPG (14 variants • PHEV up to 43 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| E300 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| E300 4matic | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| E400 Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| E400 4matic Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| E400 Convertible | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| GLE550e 4matic Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 38 MPGe (20 MPG) | 50 MPGe (23 MPG) | 43 MPGe (21 MPG) | 12 mi EV (460 mi total) | $3,600 / yr |
| E550 Coupe | 4.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| AMG E43 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| E400 4matic (station wagon) | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| E550 Convertible | 4.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| GLE350 | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| GLE400 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,800 / yr |
| GLE350 4matic | 3.5L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 18 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| GLE350 4matic | 3.5L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-spd | 18 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| C 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| SW 4WD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| 4 DR 4WD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| 2 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| C RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| SW RWD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| 4 DR RWD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models.
View complete 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems & component breakdown (59 categories) →
Affected Component: COMMUNICATION
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recalls & campaign history (20 campaigns) →