The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is associated with 20 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 14 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Back Over Prevention / Camera, accounting for 3 reports (15% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 16 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 3L 6-Cyl hybrid, 3l 6-cyl, and 4l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 26 MPG combined. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class belongs to the 5th generation (W213) E-Class platform spanning model years 2017–2023.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 20 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 14 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Back Over Prevention / Camera (3 / 15%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 0 crash / 2 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 18–26 MPG (16 variants)
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 |
| E350 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 32 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| E350 4matic | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| AMG E53 4matic Plus Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| AMG E53 4matic Plus Coupe Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| AMG E53 4matic Plus Convertible Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| E450 Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| E450 Convertible | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| E450 4matic | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| GLE350 4matic | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| GLE350 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| E450 4matic Coupe | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| E450 4matic Convertible | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| E450 4matic (station wagon) | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| GLE450 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| AMG E63 S 4matic Plus (wagon) | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| AMG E63 S 4matic Plus | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 15 MPG | 23 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 |
| 2 DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR 4WD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| Cabriolet C 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| station wagon SW 4WD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| 2 DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR RWD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| Cabriolet C RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| station wagon SW RWD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models.
View complete 2020 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems & component breakdown (14 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLS 53 4MATIC, 2019-2023 E 53 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 53 4MATIC Coupe, E 53 4MATIC Sedan, 2021-2024 GT 43 4MATIC, and 2019-2025 GT 53 4MATIC vehicles. The transmission wiring harness connection might not have been correctly wired during a prior recall repair, and during production. which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the two-part wiring harness and connector, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 9, 2024. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024100002/3. This recall supersedes recall 22V-533. Vehicles repaired under the prior recall will still need to have the new remedy performed.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 CLS450 Coupe and AMG E53, 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 Coupe, and 2021-2022 E450 vehicles. The 12-Volt battery in the trunk may not be properly secured, which, in the event of a crash, can cause electrical connection failure, disabling various safety features including, emergency call (eCall) system, electric seat adjustment, hazard warning lights, and automatic door locks.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will secure the 12V battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022100009.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 AMG GT43, 2019-2022 AMG E53, E53 Coupe, E53 Cabriolet, AMG GT53, and 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The transmission wiring harness may be misrouted, which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the electrical connector, as necessary. Dealers will also reroute the harness and install an additional bracket. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022080010.
View all 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recalls & campaign history (14 campaigns) →