The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 19 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 28, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 257 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Mercedes-Benz E-Class year. 2010 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 37K to 95K miles on the car (112 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 37K–95K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 45K–100K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 34K–106K miles
Recalls 4
- lights 2022
Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 4 recalls
- airbags 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 187 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Cracking/creaking noises from front axle when vehicle is subject to torsion or when steering…
- Mercedes benz (xentry): vehicle drops at rear axle, display message-airmatic-service required
- Xentry (mercedes): poor start off performance (revving) or occasional uncomfortable jolts when…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedRear brake line failure2020
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2010 mercedes benz 350 e4matic rolled away after parked on hill , parking brake set, and engine off. The vehicle shift selector will not move to park unless key is out of ignition or shift lever is placed in park.
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owner · NHTSA complaint 10367205
More owner reports
2010 mercedes 350 e class 4 matic drive system defaults into second gear after each start cycle. This results in a compromise of torque when pulling into traffic whole fully loaded on a hot day.
NHTSA complaint 10341717
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 28; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (16%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
4 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,200 and 95,000 miles. The middle report was at 67,500 miles, from 112 complaints.
Does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is better than the 2010?
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