YearToAvoid

2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#2 most-complained of 4 E400 years

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 has a complaint index of 67, ranking 2nd worst out of 4 model years, with a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 65% of complaints, and the vehicle carries 7 recalls.

Complaints
34
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 29 hwy

Top 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 problems

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

  1. Airbags22 (65%)
  2. Steering4 (12%)
  3. Brakes2 (6%)
  4. Engine2 (6%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (6%)
  6. Electrical System1 (3%)
  7. Fuel System1 (3%)
  8. Other1 (3%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report airbag recall notices for the passenger frontal air bag module with delays getting replacement parts at dealers.
  • Some drivers experienced sudden loss of power steering assist, including a steering wheel malfunction message that made the vehicle hard to turn while driving.
  • One owner reported the panel between the sunroof and windshield shattering at low mileage.
  • A fuel system complaint described being unable to pump fuel into the vehicle along with a clicking noise near the fuel filler.
  • Brake issues were reported including abnormal noises and concerns about brake failure requiring multiple service visits.
  • A steering-related recall repair reportedly did not fix the original steering problem for one owner.
2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2016Feb 2019Oct 2019Jun 2020Feb 2021Jan 2023Nov 2024
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2016 to Feb 2025; peak Mar 2018 (4).

2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V638000Aug 13, 2021Airbags205 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.

    Risk: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

  2. NHTSA 19V787000Nov 1, 2019Other24,226 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Communication

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

    Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

  3. NHTSA 19V010000Jan 9, 2019Airbags288,779 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

See all 7 recalls for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 →

2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,450
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.

2016 compared with other E400 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002015201620172018
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Best015723
2016Caution6734723
2017Avoid10020823
2018Good33231322

All Mercedes-Benz E400 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 E400 a complaint index of 67, ranking it 2nd worst out of 4 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict relative to other E400 years.
What is the top problem area for the 2016 E400?
Airbags account for 65% of complaints (22 of 34), with a median failure mileage of 33,500 miles.
Does the 2016 E400 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2016 E400 covering airbags, steering, and engine components, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2016 E400 compare to other years?
The 2015 E400 has a complaint index of 0 and a Best verdict, while the 2017 E400 has an index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, making 2016 fall in between with a Caution rating.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 E400?
EPA rates the 2016 E400 at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,450.

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.