2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 has 13 complaints, 12 recall campaigns, and a complaint index of 22, ranking 15th worst out of 19 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, capped from a lower risk level because of 9 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 22/100
- #15 of 19 E350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 13
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System4 (31%)
- Engine4 (31%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (23%)
- Fuel System3 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (23%)
- Brakes1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the 12-volt battery warning light appearing shortly before the vehicle began smoking and catching fire while idling.
- The rearview camera and parking sensors intermittently stop working, sometimes showing a 'system inoperative' message.
- At a median mileage of 53,200 miles, the check engine light came on and the vehicle lost power, later diagnosed as a failed fuel pump.
- Owners describe the engine misfiring and losing power during driving, in one case nearly causing a collision when the car would not accelerate from a stop.
- At a median mileage of 24,001 miles, the parking brake seized on its own and left the vehicle unable to move forward or backward.
- Owners report transmission failure while driving on the highway, leaving the vehicle stranded and immovable.
2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V445000Jun 26, 2023Fuel System143,551 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
- 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.
- 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.
2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2021 compared with other E350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 13 complaints and a complaint index of 22 for the 2021 E350, ranking 15th worst among 19 model years. It earns a Caution verdict, largely because of 12 recall campaigns rather than a high complaint volume.
- What problems does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 have?
- Owners most often report issues in the Electrical System and Engine, each accounting for 31% of complaints, followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Fuel System, and Transmission & Powertrain, each at 23%.
- Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 E350, covering areas including the fuel system, electrical system, collision avoidance cameras, steering, airbags, and seat belts.
- Why is the 2021 E350 rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its complaint index of 22 would suggest a lower risk level, but the verdict is capped to Caution because the model has 9 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- How does the 2021 E350 compare to other E350 years?
- The 2021 E350's complaint index of 22 is lower than heavily flagged years like 2006 and 2014, which scored 100 and 94, but it ranks worse than 2022, 2023, and 2024, which all earned Good or Best verdicts.