Most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz E400 complaints by model year
Best E400 years: 2015, 2017. Years to avoid: 2016. Compare all years →
2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 recalls (14)
Power train › Driveline › Universal joint
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E 400 4MATIC Sedan, E 400 4MATIC Wagon, E 400 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 400 4MATIC Coupe, 2018-2020 Maybach S 560 4MATIC, S 560 4MATIC Coupe, S 450 4MATIC, 2019-2020 E 450 4MATIC Sedan, E 450 4MATIC Wagon, E 450 4MATIC Coupe, and E 450 4MATIC Cabriolet vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the drive shaft as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 22, 2026.
Tires
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E 400 Cabriolet, E 400 Coupe, 2019 E 450 Cabriolet, and E 450 Coupe vehicles. The tires were incorrectly marked with the wrong maximum inflation pressure and may not meet the strength requirements for the stated pressure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Back over prevention › Display function
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Communication › Auto crash notification
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021.
Communication › Auto crash notification
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021.
Electrical system › Software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Show 8 more recalls
Seat belts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 E400 Wagon 4MATIC, E400 4MATIC, E43 AMG 4MATIC, 2018-2019 E63S AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E63 AMG 4MATIC Wagon, E300, E300 4MATIC, GLC63S Coupe AMG 4MATIC, 2019 CLS450, CLS450 4MATIC, CLS53 AMG 4MATIC, E450 Wagon, E53 AMG 4MATIC, GLC300, GLC63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC, G550 4MATIC, G63…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckles, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Structure › Body
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 E450 4MATIC Wagon, 2017-2018 E400 4MATIC Wagon, and 2018-2019 E63S 4MATIC Wagon vehicles. The rear spoiler may detach.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Seats
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz C300 Cabriolet, C300 Coupe, AMG C43 Coupe, C300 4MATIC Cabriolet, C300 4MATIC Coupe, AMG C43 Cabriolet, AMG C63 Cabriolet, AMG C63 Coupe, AMG C63 S Cabriolet and AMG C63 S Coupe vehicles and 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, E400 4MATIC…
Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the locking of the seatback on the affected vehicles and replace the seatback lock, as necessary, free of charge.
Steering
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe and one C300 4Matic Coupe. The steering coupling may not have been correctly locked during manufacturing.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling and lock it correctly if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019.
Steering › Rack and pinion › Rack
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300, E300 4Matic, E43 AMG 4Matic, E400 4Matic, E63S AMG 4Matic+, and 2019 CLS450 4Matic vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Child seat › Latch strap
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabrio and E400 4Matic Cabrio vehicles. The child seat anchoring system (ISOFIX) in these vehicles may not have been properly installed. As a result, in the event of a crash, the ISOFIX console may partially detach from the car body.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ISOFIX console, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Seats
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 C43 AMG 4Matic Coupe, C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C300 Cabriolet, C43 AMG 4Matic Cabriolet and C63S AMG Cabriolet, 2017 C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe, 2018 E400 Coupe and E400 4Matic Coupe vehicles.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the locking of the seatbacks, replacing the seatbacks lock, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 25, 2018.
What 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 owners say
Engine & cooling
Component/System: The intake camshaft positioner/adjuster on cylinder bank 2 of the M276 V6 engine has failed, along with associated timing components. The vehicle (2018 Mercedes-Benz E400, VIN [redacted]) remains unrepaired and is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The engine produces a loud metallic rattle on cold starts, indicating loss of proper camshaft timing control. If unaddressed, camshaft timing deviation can progress to timing chain failure, which on interference engines can cause valve-to-piston contact and sudden, severe engine damage or loss of power while driving, posing a risk to vehicle control. Confirmed by Dealer: Yes. Mercedes-Benz of Catonsville (RO# [redacted]) diagnosed the issue and confirmed stored fault code P002177, indicating the intake camshaft position on cylinder bank 2 deviates from its specified value. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Mercedes Benz E400. The contact stated that they were smelling a burning odor emitting from the engine of the vehicle. The contact stated that when the automatic driving was activated the vehicle would accelerate to higher speeds. The contact would have to press the vehicles brakes obsessively. The vehicle's side view mirrors also failed to rotate. The contact stated that when a family member was observing the vehicle they found the engine to have been damaged. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (Mercedes-Benz of coconut creek 4250 fl-7, coconut creek, fl 3307; [phone]) who stated that the vehicle's battery had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case regarding the matter. The approximate failure mileage 21,000.
Electrical system
The digital dash, which shows my speed, mileage, engine temperature, rims and fuel level goes blank. Then comes on for a few seconds and goes dark again. Vehicle only has 43k miles. MB dealer said this is not uncommon condition with the 2018 mb e400. Car is not safe to drive. MB dealer wants $6,100.00 to replace the unit. A software reboot will not work.
On May 30, 2020, around 3 pm, my son was the driver and my wife and I were the passengers driving in jersey city, nj (USA). While changing lanes on the road, the car suddenly stopped functioning. All dashboard lights came on and it showed a car with zig zag lines and stated inoperable. We were in the middle of the road in a dangerous situations with cars going around us. The steering wheel froze and the brakes were not functioning. We tried to restart the car many times with the dashboard lights coming on and stating inoperable. After a little while, we were able to place it in neutral and push the car to safety on the side of the road while still blocking a lane. We then called the Mercedes service center where a technician tried to help us via telephone but was unsuccessful and finally 2 hours later, we had to have the car towed. The family had to take uber home. …
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the driveshaft felt loose, with an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V216000 (Power Train). The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the remedy was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V216000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 9-speed automatic | RWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 E400 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the E400 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400?
The engine & cooling — 4 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (4) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 have?
There are 14 recalls for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400, the most recent from April 3, 2026 (universal joint). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz E400?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016. See the full Mercedes-Benz E400 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 21,000 miles; 88% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.