The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is about average by owner complaints: 54 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 100, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 20 recalls, and it gets 20 to 25 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 161 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Mercedes-Benz E-Class year. 2017 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 12K to 70K miles on the car (65 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 20
- communication 2021
On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles.
- electrical 2021
Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.
- electrical 2020
The software in the replaced instrument cluster may cause the seat belt warning system to not operate properly, only displaying a solid warning light if either the driver or passenger seat belt is unfastened, instead of …
Show all 20 recalls
- body structure 2019
The rear spoiler may detach.
- airbags 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- lights 2018
The headlight horizontal adjustment screws on these vehicles may not be properly sealed behind a non-removable sealing cap to keep headlights from being readjusted.
- lights 2018
These vehicles may have misadjusted headlights, possibly resulting in the low beam headlights insufficiently illuminating the roadway.
- steering 2017
A transistor within the power steering control unit may overheat resulting in the power steering system being disabled.
- airbags 2017
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
- steering 2017
The improperly welded pins may lose contact, deactivating the power steering assist and increasing the risk of a crash.
- electrical 2017
The software for the widescreen instrument cluster may cause the instrument cluster to not display anything on vehicle on startup, or the display may reset while driving.
- body structure 2017
The affected vehicles have a roof mounted spoiler that may not be properly attached and thus may detach while driving.
- steering 2017
The affected vehicles have an electric power steering connector that may be insufficiently sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.
- airbags 2017
The front passenger air bag may not deploy properly if a front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined.
- electrical 2017
In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.
- airbags 2017
The front passenger occupant detection control unit may have been incorrectly installed.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
The affected vehicles may have a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module.
- airbags 2017
The pelvis air bag or the front passenger air bag inflator initiator may fail to ignite in the event of a crash.
- body structure 2016
On the affected vehicles, there may be insufficient clearance between the left catalytic converter and the composite underbody panel.
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
In the affected vehicles, the rear bench seat frame may contact and damage the wiring harness for the fuel pump, fuel tank pressure sensor or fuel level gauge.
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 250 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The vehicle cannot be started The vehicle may start by itself shortly after the startup…
- Minor leaks at the oil duct of the left or right cylinder head of engines 157, 276 and 278
- Engine diagnosis warning lamp activated
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
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class C 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class C RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Takata recall. I have been waiting months for a fix to this recal problem. What is taking so long for them to come up with a solution. I am starting to get very worried about the safety of my passengers and myself.
2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owner · NHTSA complaint 11195590
More owner reports
The motorized trunk lid spontaneously and forcefully closed on my head, cutting my face, while I was loading (with both hands) groceries into the trunk. Car was parked in parking lot, engine off.
NHTSA complaint 11196475
I am waiting to buy this car but do not want to buy until the airbags are fixed. The car has remained on recall of airbags since jan. 2019.
NHTSA complaint 11286792
Quick answers
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 100; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (28%), electrical (19%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
20 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class get?
20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 12,000 and 70,000 miles. The middle report was at 28,000 miles, from 65 complaints.
Does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is better than the 2017?
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