The Lemon Index

All cars · Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 18 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 31, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 22 to 23 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is 2011.

31Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 3.2× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2011 · Worst year 2003

Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Photo shows a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. MARIA CLARISSA FIONALITA, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints18first 3 years
Fuel economy22–23 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★☆NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 55 owner complaints, owners reported:

5crashes
3injuries
0fires
4tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical22%
airbags22%
wheels22%
steering17%
speed control11%

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.

Transmission problems in every Mercedes-Benz E-Class year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 21K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 11K to 61K miles on the car (20 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 6

  • communication 2019

    For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf.

  • airbags 2017

    If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

  • electrical 2017

    If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Show all 6 recalls
  • steering 2016

    The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.

  • body structure 2015

    If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • seat belts 2014

    In the affected vehicles, the double seat belt buckle for the middle position of the rear passenger seat could fail under loading experienced in a severe frontal crash.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about

Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 160 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Creaking noise when making vertical or longitudinal adjustment to electrical steering column
  • 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

  • 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

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningOptional
NHTSA front crash test of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR RWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR 4WDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR RWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines

About $3450–3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

Takata recall #17v627, I was notified of the recall but unable to get the defective parts replaced as the dealer reported that replacement parts are still not available.

2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owner · NHTSA complaint 11055456

Quick answers

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 31; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year by this measure is 2011.

What are the most common 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (22%), airbags (22%) and wheels (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?

6 safety recalls (latest: communication). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class get?

22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class safe?

NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 11,200 and 61,000 miles. The middle report was at 21,900 miles, from 20 complaints.

Does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost in fuel a year?

About $3450 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?

3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

What Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is better than the 2015?

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

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data