The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is associated with 25 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 18 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 3 reports (12% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 16 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3L 6-Cyl hybrid, 2l 4-cyl, and 4l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 26 MPG combined. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class belongs to the 5th generation (W213) E-Class platform spanning model years 2017–2023.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 25 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 18 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (3 / 12%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 0 crash / 1 fire / 0 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 |
| E450 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| E450 Coupe Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 31 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| E350 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| E350 4matic | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| E450 4matic Coupe Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| E450 Convertible Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| E450 4matic Convertible Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 23 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| AMG E53 4matic Plus Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| E450 4matic All-Terrain (wagon) Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 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 | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| GLE450 4matic Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 26 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| AMG E53 4matic Plus Convertible Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| GLE350 | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| GLE350 4matic | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| AMG E63 S 4matic Plus | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| AMG E63 S 4matic Plus (SW) | 4L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 16 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 |
| 2DR 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| SW 4WD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| 4 DR 4WD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| Cabriolet C 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 2DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| SW RWD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| 4 DR RWD | | | | | 9.700000000000001% |
| Cabriolet C 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 No in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models.
View complete 2021 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems & component breakdown (16 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:WIRING
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 CLS450, E450, E450 All-Terrain, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, and 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment may not be tightened properly and may result in the ground cable overheating.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024MMNNNN.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Summary: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 23V-445.
View all 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class recalls & campaign history (18 campaigns) →