YearToAvoid

2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 4 E400 years

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 ranks worst among 4 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 8 recalls. Airbags account for 80% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 3,500 miles, driven largely by Takata recall parts delays.

Complaints
20
Recalls
8
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 28.5 hwy

Top 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 problems

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

  1. Airbags16 (80%)
  2. Structure & Body3 (15%)
  3. Electrical System1 (5%)
  4. Other1 (5%)
  5. Steering1 (5%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report delays getting Takata airbag recall parts, with some told replacements would not be available for over a year.
  • A tire developed a sidewall bubble and went flat while driving at 60 mph on the original Michelin tires.
  • Passenger seat pressure sensors for the airbag system reportedly fail repeatedly, disabling the front passenger airbag until the vehicle is restarted.
  • The chrome coating on the seat release lever was reported to be rough and jagged, cutting owners' and passengers' hands, in one case leaving a 2-3 inch cut.
  • Owners describe repeated dealer visits and recalibrations for the seat sensor issue without a lasting fix.
2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2017May 2018Mar 2019Dec 2019Jul 2020Oct 2020Sep 2021Feb 2025
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2017 to Mar 2026; peak May 2018 (3).

2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 19V676000Sep 23, 2019Structure & Body4,765 vehicles

    Structure:body

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 E450 4MATIC Wagon, 2017-2018 E400 4MATIC Wagon, and 2018-2019 E63S 4MATIC Wagon vehicles. The rear spoiler may detach.

    Risk: If the spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-849. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019090008.

  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 8 recalls for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 →

2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
28.5 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.

2017 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 E400 has a complaint index of 100, the highest (worst) among the 4 model years with data, and carries 8 recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 80% of complaints, mostly tied to Takata recall part shortages, with a median failure mileage of 3,500 miles.
Does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 have a Takata airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 17V627000 covers airbag grounding issues and multiple complaints reference Takata airbag replacement delays for the 2017 E400.
How does the 2017 E400 compare to other years?
NHTSA data shows the 2015 E400 rated Best with a complaint index of 0, while 2016 was Caution at 67 and 2018 was Good at 33; 2017 is the only year rated Avoid, at 100.
How many recalls does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 have?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2017 E400, covering airbags, electrical systems, and structure and body issues, with none marked do-not-drive.

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.