2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Problems

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Complaints Reported

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Complaints by Component

ENGINE

3 complaints

Engine keeps having a misfire that Mercedes put a TSB out for and once the misfire happen I cause the vehicle to go in a limp mode which causes the vehicle to loose power happened to me in the freeway. The car had 54K miles and Mercedes refused to repair the issue as the engine part failure isn’t common.

Dec 27, 2025

My 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 (VIN [XXX] ) developed a serious engine issue involving cylinder misfire and check engine light. The dealer diagnosed it as a leaking exhaust valve on cylinder 4, related to TSB LI01.30-P-072328, which documents valve seat wear in M260 engines. This is a known defect acknowledged by Mercedes in technical bulletins, and other customers in the U.S. have received warranty extensions or goodwill coverage. I was denied coverage even though this is a manufacturer defect that can lead to misfire, power loss, and potential stalling, posing a safety risk on the road. Mercedes-Benz USA refuses to cover the repair (~$7,600+), even though it relates to a factory-documented problem. I’m requesting that NHTSA investigate this engine defect, as it may qualify for a safety recall or mandatory extended warranty coverage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Jul 14, 2025

The 48 volt battery on this mild hybrid vehicle failed and the car was unable to be started on May 3, 2021, with 196 miles on the odometer, a mere 15 days after delivery. It had to be taken by flatbed to the dealer where ultimately the 48 volt battery was replaced. Then again on June 5, 2021, the car was again unable to be started, with a mere 735 miles on the odometer. Again, the car had to be taken by flatbed to the dealer, where ultimately the 48 volt battery was replaced a second time. While both failures, fortunately, happened while the vehicle was at home, the could have happened on the highway, in the middle of nowhere in bad weather conditions, or anywhere. I have had to cancel a cross-country drive for fear that, once again, the 48 volt battery will fail, leaving us stranded anywhere or, worse yet, in the middle of a highway.

Nov 26, 2021

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

With the car only have about 15,000 miles the transmission has failed . I have seen there have been recalls of other models with similar complaints of transmission failure .

Jan 04, 2026

The Mercedes E350, with 22,000 miles suffered a catastrophic transmission failure while driving on the highway. I managed to exit the highway but the car could not be moved and left me stranded.

Jul 10, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

2 complaints

FIRE FIRE FIRE Information light came on just saying 12 Volt Battery. I sat in the car letting it idle for about 3 minutes. It began to smoke and then burst into flames. I called 911 got the fire department here but by the time they were here there was not much left. The car essentially burned to the ground and insurance has declared it a total loss. Car was in my driveway, was certainly a danger to me, to my house and to my neighbor's cars and house.

Dec 07, 2024

Fire: 1

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 12/12/2021 AND TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE CAR HAD WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD "COOLANT TOO HOT, STOP THE VEHICLE" ON THE HIGHWAY -NJ TUNPIKE. IT STARTED SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN TO BELOW 20MPH, NEARLY KILLED ME WHILE I TRIED TO PULL IT OVER. THEN THE DEALER SERVICE SAID IT HAD DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. THEN LAST WEEK 4/13/21 - 4 MONTH,ABOUT 2800 MILEGE ON IT, IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL., JUMP START DIDN'T EVEN WORK. SO I WAS STRANDED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. IT GOT TOWED AND THEY SAID IT HAD DEFECTIVE BATTERY. SO HOW MANY DEFECTIVE PARTS THIS CAR HAS. IT WILL KEEP BREAKING DOWN AND THREATEN MY LIFE ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE I COMMUTE EVERY DAY IN THE NIGHT TIME. THEY SHOULD TAKE THIS CAR BACK AND REPLACE BUT THE DEALER REFUSED BECAUSE IT HAD PROBLEMS ON DIFFERENT PARTS AND FIXED. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS PIECE OF JUNK AND A RISK TO NOT ONLY MY LIFE BUT ALSO O THER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT DOES THINGS ON ITS OWN WAY, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AT ALL.

Apr 21, 2021

BACK OVER PREVENTION

2 complaints

I was parking and the 360 view sensor did not come up. When I tried to back out and move forward again, I realized the back up camera would not come on. I turned the car on and off and then tried again to reverse to engage the camera but was instead given a message that says system inoperative.

May 18, 2024

When in reverse, sometimes the rearview camera image does not come and and the parking sensors do not work. An inoperative rearview camera display and/or parking sensors can reduce the driver’s view and awareness of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. This has been happening over the last 2 years infrequently. When the issue was brought up at the dealer during service, their recommendation was to bring the vehicle in immediately at the time it occurs, but I haven't been able to do so with work. Now this issue is happening more frequently. There is a campaign online that is for the same issue I'm having: April 1, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V228000 Rearview Camera and Parking Sensors Malfunction

Dec 19, 2023

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Mercedes Benz issued a recall (Manufacturer Recall Number 2021060021; NHTSA Recall Number 21V354) in May 2021. The recall affects my vehicle's MBUX multimedia system, most importantly, the backup camera, which may fail while in use if this issue is not remedied. I was advised of the recall by them in July 2021. To date they have failed to remedy this safety recall. I have contacted Mercedes Benz several times (most recently on 03/21/2022) and they are unable or unwilling to provide a date when this safety issue will be remedied.

Mar 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that the vehicle speed control was always inadvertently activated, which caused the vehicle to decelerate automatically. The failure nearly caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would call back. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

Dec 29, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

48Volt battery failed after three months and just 3,400 miles. I understand this is a recurring problem with Mercedes. Car had to be towed as the vehicle was totally inoperable due to battery malfunction. It took more than three weeks for Mercedes to provide a replacement battery. From what I have read, there is a strong likelihood that the battery will fail again.

Aug 03, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED. AFTER THE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF FRESNO (7055 N PALM AVE, FRESNO, CA 93650, (559) 438-0300) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSTIC RESULT INDICATED THAT THE 48 VOLT BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AWAITING REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 743.*DT

Apr 07, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

1) Rear view camera sometimes working, some times not working. (Message reads “system inoperative “ 2) Forward view camera also affected. 3) display shown “12V battery low in battery “ 4) Not long ago, just had vehicle suddenly vibrating vigorously while backing up from parking and during driving. Gas paddle not responding when stepping down, ( vehicle was then towed to dealer and they updated some kind of electrical thing)

Mar 21, 2025

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle the emergency brake independently seized. The contact stated that the vehicle abruptly stopped. The vehicle would not drive forward or backward. The contact contacted the dealer and a service technician was dispatched to the location. The service technician connected the vehicle to the diagnostic equipment. The contact was advised that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake caliber voltage malfunction and the brake caliber voltage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,001.

Mar 22, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

The engine is misfiring and not powering correctly during driving. Car is failing to take off and today almost caused an accident due to the car would not pull off from the traffic light with oncoming traffic due to loss of power. Safety was at risk due to an accident was almost caused due to car not moving in on coming traffic Dealership is citing that is needs to have a cylinder replaced but will not tell me why it needs to be replaced, why this has happened or what could have been done pre maintenance to avoid this issue Check engine light came on Dealer has been contacted, and was told this is a common issue for this to happen to newer cars, but will not fix the issue and extended warranty will not cover due to this is a manufacturer issue

Feb 09, 2024

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 53,200.

Jan 22, 2024

WHEELS

1 complaint

After the car sits for three or more days, brakes locks up. It takes lots of power to get the brakes to release. It’s a safety concern as the car is parked in the garage with not enough room to maneuver. We never had any car which locks the brakes in this manner. Took it to MB dealer and they say it’s the way brakes are designed. A complete nonsense.

Jun 23, 2022

4.7/5.0

42 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class have?

The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class currently has 18 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class?

The most common problems reported for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.