The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better than average by owner complaints: 30 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 16 to 27 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 395 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mercedes-Benz E-Class year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 60K to 121K miles on the car (328 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 69K–123K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 85K–135K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 52K–95K miles
Recalls 3
- visibility 2024
Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years.
- visibility 2022
Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
- visibility 2019
The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 103 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There are electrical production quality issues that cause the air bag warning light to illuminate
- Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight
- Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel leakage from the fuel tank2013–2014
- ClosedDriver air bag circuit high resistance2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3500–5000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The consumer was involved in a collision. When the consumer made a left turn another vehicle ran a red light and hit the drivers side of the consumers vehicle. The side airbag did not deploy.
2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owner · NHTSA complaint 10105459
More owner reports
My brake has metal grinding noise and no dash board warning light showing problems. It has some dragging when brakes.
NHTSA complaint 10247124
The consumer was involved in an accident in her 2005 mercedes e320 which damaged the front driver's side of the vehicle. The front driver's side air bag did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10113809
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (27%), electrical (20%) and brakes (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
3 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class get?
16 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 121,500 miles. The middle report was at 91,800 miles, from 328 complaints.
Does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost in fuel a year?
About $3500 to $5000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
3.2L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works