YearToAvoid

2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 4 E300 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 ranks worst (1 of 4) model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100, 132 complaints, and 16 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 31% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 19,000 miles.

Complaints
132
Recalls
16
Crashes / fires
2 / 3
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24.5
22 city / 29.5 hwy

Top 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 problems

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

  1. Engine41 (31%)
  2. Electrical System26 (20%)
  3. Fuel System25 (19%)
  4. Other20 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain16 (12%)
  6. Steering12 (9%)
  7. Structure & Body10 (8%)
  8. Brakes9 (7%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (6%)
  10. Airbags6 (5%)

What owners report

  • Engine compartment smoke and oil leaks appeared while driving at highway speed, accompanied by an abnormal booming noise.
  • The crash avoidance system reportedly failed to activate after a loud noise, contributing to a loss of control and a collision.
  • Owners reported a brake pedal that had to be pushed to the floorboard before it would engage, in one case leading the driver to steer into a fence.
  • The sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving at highway speed on a rainy day.
  • The fuel system caused sudden loss of power with warning indicators illuminating, later traced to a defective fuel pump.
  • Some owners reported the vehicle shaking and shutting off mid-highway along with brake-related warning lights.
2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 complaints: complaints filed per quarter122017 Q12018 Q32019 Q42021 Q22022 Q32023 Q42025 Q12026 Q2
180 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q1 (12).

2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 recalls

16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V072000Feb 12, 2021Other67 vehicles

    Communication

    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.

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

    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.

  2. NHTSA 21V058000Feb 5, 2021Other1,292,258 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Communication: auto crash notification

    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.

    Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 20V449000Jul 31, 2020Electrical System56 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    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.

    Risk: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    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.

See all 16 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 →

2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
29.5 MPG
Combined
24.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
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.

2017 compared with other E300 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016No verdict011—
2017Avoid1001321624.5
2018Good3332724.5
2019Caution6729824.5

All Mercedes-Benz E300 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 E300 ranks worst among the 4 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 132 complaints. Engine issues are the top problem area at 31% of complaints.
What year Mercedes-Benz E300 should I avoid?
NHTSA data marks 2017 as the year to avoid, with the highest complaint index (100) of the tracked years. By comparison, 2018 has a complaint index of 33 and is rated Good.
Does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 16 recalls for the 2017 E300, covering areas including the electrical system, steering, and structure & body.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 E300?
Engine problems are the most reported issue, making up 31% of complaints (41 of 132), with a median failure mileage of 19,000 miles.
How many complaints does the 2017 E300 have involving fires or crashes?
NHTSA data shows 3 fire-related and 2 crash-related complaints for the 2017 E300.

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.