The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2017 2017
The affected vehicles may have a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
Cars will not shift. It wont go pass 3rd gear and almost crashed. Brought car to dealer and per dealer, car is known to have the problem but not recall. Had to pay over $4000 to get the car fixed
2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owner · NHTSA complaint
Transmission failed on 07-26-2005 left me stranded on street in hillside nj car had to be towed to dealership. They indicated it was a computer problem malfunction and replaced computer. Transmission still having slipping occasionally svc dept said they find nothing wrong. Mb ignoring my request for a new car.
2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Mercedes-Benz E-Class years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Mercedes-Benz E-Class years are 2006, 2003, 2007.
What are common Mercedes-Benz E-Class transmission problems?
Owners most often describe hard or jerky shifting, stuck in gear or limp mode, lost power while driving.
Which Mercedes-Benz E-Class years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2019, 2013, 2011.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability by year. How we count