The most-reported E-Class run is WDBUF65J33A (2003 builds) with 27 complaints, 9× the typical run. Fuel/propulsion system problems make up 26% of reports; 2017 is the worst model year at 3.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 116 recall campaigns for E-Class model years 1994–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 700 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every E-Class complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDBUF65J33A•••••• | 2003 | 2 | — | |
| WDBUF65J03A•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| WDBUF65J73A•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| WDBUF65JX3A•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| WDBUF65J54A•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| WDBUF76J05A•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| WDBUF65J75A•••••• | 2005 | 3 | 1 | |
| WDBUF70J63A•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| WDBUF65J63A•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| WDBUF65J84A•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| WDBUF70J43A•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| WDBUF65J85A•••••• | 2005 | — | — |
Each of the other 688 E-Class runs has 16 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 422 E-Class VINs so far, most often 2014, 2020, 2019 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mercedes-Benz E-Class the gap between build years is 3.7×: a 2017 car draws 3.7 complaints per run, a 2014 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 2024 | 12 | 10 | — | |
| 2023 | 21 | 14 | — | |
| 2022 | 19 | 15 | — | |
| 2021 | 8 | 7 | — | |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 | — | |
| 2019 | 28 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2018 | 38 | 26 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 145 | 39 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 37 | 24 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 25 | 21 | 4 | |
| 2014 | 23 | 22 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 23 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 16 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 71 | 41 | 5 | |
| 2010 | 67 | 31 | — | |
| 2009 | 19 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 48 | 34 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 78 | 41 | — | |
| 2006 | 127 | 58 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 2017 at 3.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2014 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 26% of everything Mercedes-Benz E-Class owners report: Fuel/propulsion System, 635 of 2,130 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 3 | |
| Fuel System | — | 1 | |
| Gasoline | — | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 26 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 28 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 6 | |
| Suspension | 1 | — | |
| Engine | 1 | 9 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 116 recall campaigns on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2017. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 19V010000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2010–2017 |
| 19V918000 | Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly | 2003–2009 |
| 22V954000 | Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly | 2003–2009 |
| 24V874000 | Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly | 2003–2009 |
| 17V627000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2012–2017 |
| 21V638000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2011–2016 |
19V010000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2010: 9 years on the road before the recall.
The E-Class against its rivals
The E-Class draws 3 complaints per production run; the Toyota Camry 5.7, the Honda Accord 4 and the Chrysler 300 4.1. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 2,130 | 700 | 3.1% | |
| Toyota Camry | 15,758 | 2,788 | 15.3% | |
| Honda Accord | 20,581 | 5,117 | 7.8% | |
| Chrysler 300 | 4,583 | 1,115 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,130 reports on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, 3.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,130 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 66 (3.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 15 (0.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 74 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 5 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 47% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class share of that is 2,130 complaints over 700 runs, 0.19% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz E-Class VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,130 NHTSA complaints from 700 E-Class runs and 116 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which E-Class production run has the most complaints?
WDBUF65J33A, a 2003 build, with 27 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical E-Class run has 3.
Which E-Class years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2017 is heaviest at 3.7 complaints per run and 2014 lightest at 1.
Does the E-Class get more complaints than the Toyota Camry?
No: 3 complaints per production run for the E-Class against 5.7 for the Toyota Camry.
How many E-Class complaints involve a crash?
3.1% of 2,130 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 15 involved a fire.
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