The Lemon Index

All cars · Mercedes-Benz E-Class

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better than average by owner complaints: 22 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 52, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about seat belts, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 22 to 25 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is 2011.

52Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.9× 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 complaints22first 3 years
Fuel economy22–25 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 56 owner complaints, owners reported:

4crashes
5injuries
1fires
4tows

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

seat belts32%
steering14%
lane assist14%
electrical14%
airbags9%

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 8K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 20K miles on the car (15 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 9

  • tires 2025

    The tires were incorrectly marked with the wrong maximum inflation pressure and may not meet the strength requirements for the stated pressure.

  • electrical 2022

    Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.

  • back over prevention 2022

    Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.

Show all 9 recalls
  • fuel system, gasoline 2021

    During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.

  • 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.

  • seat belts 2019

    Although correctly fastened, the front seat belts may be inaccurately detected as bein.

  • automatic emergency braking 2019

    An impaired Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • steering 2018

    A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.

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 286 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Assessment of actuating and operating noise from steering
  • Cracking/Creaking Noises Coming From The Area Of The Mechanical Steering Column
  • Complaint Loads induced at the steering wheel through pushing and pulling actions may cause…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningOptional
NHTSA front crash test of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mercedes-Benz E-Class SW 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Mercedes-Benz E-Class SW RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR 4WDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR RWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Fuel cost and engines

About $3200–3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

The power steering became disabled driving on the freeway. Several warning lights flashed. Steering malfunction. Increase physical effort. Etc. It was dangerous to drive the vehicle

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owner · NHTSA complaint 11405456
More owner reports

It's been over a month and I use my car for uber. Uber won't let me work unless mercedes fix this issue. I'm short on money and there's nothing I can do and I'm still making payments!

NHTSA complaint 11288682

Automatic steering followed random stripe on I 20 making the car lung to the left lane and almost going into the median iwas was going 75 in rain could have wrecked if I did not correct in seconds!

NHTSA complaint 11171517

Quick answers

Is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 52; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year by this measure is 2011.

What are the most common 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seat belts (32%), steering (14%) and lane assist (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?

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

What gas mileage does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class get?

22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2019 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.

Does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have transmission problems?

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

How much does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost in fuel a year?

About $3200 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?

2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.

What Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is better than the 2019?

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