YearToAvoid

2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#3 most-complained of 6 E 450 years

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 3rd worst out of 6 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners logged 8 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 1 fire, with Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Structure & Body issues tied as the top problem areas at 38% each.

Complaints
8
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22.5
19.5 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (38%)
  2. Structure & Body3 (38%)
  3. Engine1 (13%)
  4. Other1 (13%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (13%)

What owners report

  • Rearview camera image goes black or freezes for several seconds while shifting into reverse, sometimes with a message saying the camera is inoperable.
  • Door hinges fail to hold the door ajar, letting heavy doors slam shut on the leg, ankle, or foot at very low mileage.
  • Doors on the 2020 E450 fail to remain open and occasionally close on their own even after a repair attempt.
  • A run-flat tire sidewall split and the tread separated while driving, leaving the vehicle undriveable with no spare available.
  • The rear convertible-top glass window prematurely separates or delaminates from the top assembly at low mileage.
  • An engine compartment fire occurred while the car was parked and turned off shortly after a dealer service visit.
2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 complaints: complaints filed per month2Dec 2020Jun 2021Oct 2021May 2022Jul 2024Jan 2025Oct 2025May 2026
9 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2020 to May 2026; peak May 2026 (2).

2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V365000May 20, 2022Electrical System242,722 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system:software

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's SIM card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (eCall) system.

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

    Remedy: The communication module software will be updated through an Over-the-Air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.

  2. NHTSA 22V232000Apr 8, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras126,443 vehicles

    Back over prevention:display function

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.

  3. NHTSA 21V961000Dec 13, 2021Fuel System139 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.

See all 7 recalls for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 →

2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19.5 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
22.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other E 450 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201920202021202220232024
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid80171222.5
2020Caution608722.5
2021Best2071425
2022Good4011524.5

All Mercedes-Benz E 450 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E 450 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 E 450 carries a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst among the 6 model years with available data.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 E 450?
NHTSA data shows Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Structure & Body issues each account for 38% of complaints, mainly rearview camera failures and door hinge or latch problems.
Does the 2020 E 450 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2020 E 450, covering the communication module, rearview camera software, fuel rail/injectors, a rear seatback latch, seatbelt routing, and other electronics. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2020 E 450 compare to other years?
The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than 2021 (20, Best) and 2022 (40, Good), but better than 2019 (80, Avoid) and 2023 (100, Avoid).
What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2020 E 450?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 34,000 miles for the 2020 E 450 overall.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.