The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is associated with 66 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 7 reports (11% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 15 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, 3L 6-Cyl plug-in hybrid, 3.5l 6-cyl, and 4l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 25 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 43 MPGe (21 MPG on gasoline) with up to 10 miles of electric driving range. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class belongs to the 5th generation (W213) E-Class platform spanning model years 2017–2023.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 66 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (7 / 11%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 3 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 18–25 MPG (15 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 | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| E400 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| E400 Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| E400 4matic Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| E400 Convertible | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| E400 4matic Convertible | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / 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) | 10 mi EV (460 mi total) | $3,600 / yr |
| AMG E43 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 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 |
| GLE350 | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 7-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 |
| AMG E63 S 4matic | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 15 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| AMG E63 S 4matic (wagon) | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / 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 | — |
| 4 DR 4WD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| SW 4WD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| 2 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| C RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR RWD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| SW 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 Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models.
View complete 2018 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems & component breakdown (33 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: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 E63 AMG 4MATIC, E63S AMG 4MATIC Wagon, S63 AMG Cabrio 4MATIC, S63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, and S63 AMG 4MATIC and 2019 G63 AMG 4MATIC, AMG GT63 4MATIC, AMG GT63S 4MATIC vehicles equipped with 4.0L 8-cylinder gasoline turbocharged engines. The oil feed line to the turbocharger may leak.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil feed line to the turbocharger, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020020023.
View all 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recalls & campaign history (6 campaigns) →