NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 13 recalls and 21 owner complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400.
Complaints for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 are spread thinly across a handful of systems, with seat belts and electrical topping the list. On the seat belt side, owners report the driver-side retractor failing to fully pull the belt back, leaving noticeable slack, dealers have pointed to a failed belt motor as the cause in at least one case. Electrical complaints center on the instrument cluster going blank intermittently, with the display cutting out and returning unpredictably even at relatively low mileage; a software reboot reportedly does not resolve it. A separate electrical pattern involves the backup camera briefly flashing on and then closing when shifting into reverse, sometimes linked to trunk use. Engine complaints appear but in small numbers, and a single report raises concerns about cellular connectivity loss affecting remote vehicle features after a network change.
21
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
By System
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 has 13 recalls, the most serious being a steering coupling that may not be properly locked, which can cause the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering rack to come loose and reduce or eliminate steering control.
Two seat-related recalls cover the same underlying issue: the front seatbacks may not lock properly on one side and can fold forward in a crash. The passenger seat sensor that detects whether a child seat is in the front seat may not be correctly calibrated, which can leave the front passenger airbag active when it should be suppressed for a child. On wagon and cabriolet trims, there are additional occupant safety concerns: the ISOFIX child seat anchors may partially detach in a crash, and the seatbelt pretensioners and pre-crash tensioning system may fail to deploy during a collision. Rear spoilers on wagon models can detach at speed and become road debris.
Several electrical and software recalls round out the list. The rearview camera can fail to display an image when reversing. Two recalls address the emergency call system, which can either fail to connect or send responders to the wrong location after a crash. On vehicles where the instrument cluster has been replaced, the seatbelt reminder chime and warning light may not function. Tires on certain coupe and cabriolet models were marked with an incorrect maximum inflation pressure and may lack sufficient strength if inflated to that level.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The tires have incorrect maximum inflation pressure markings and may not be strong enough for the stated pressure rating.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the tires at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error prevents the rearview camera from displaying the backup image on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost to restore the backup image display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module may have been turned off during service, disabling the Emergency Call function that connects your vehicle to emergency services.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the communication module and reactivate it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communication module software may fail to send your vehicle's correct location to emergency services when the eCall system activates during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communication module software, or the update will be sent over-the-air, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The replacement instrument cluster software may fail to activate the seat belt warning system correctly, showing only a steady light instead of a blinking light with sound when a seat belt is unfastened.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore proper seat belt warning operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt buckles may be incorrectly detected as unfastened even when properly fastened, which can disable the PRE-SAFE® function and pretensioner.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace front seat belt buckles as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear spoiler may detach from the vehicle due to mounting issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the spoiler mounting and correct it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right side of the front seat seatback may not lock securely in place.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seatback lock and replace it if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering coupling may not be properly locked, which could allow it to move unexpectedly during driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering coupling and secure it correctly if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A locknut in the steering rack may break under heavy load, potentially causing the steering to lock in one position.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering rack at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ISOFIX child seat anchor console may not be properly installed, causing it to partially detach from the car body during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the ISOFIX console if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant classification system may be improperly calibrated, causing the front air bag to remain active when a child seat is present.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion at no charge to recalibrate the occupant detection system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right seatback on front seats may fail to lock properly, potentially allowing the seat to move unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front seatback locks and replace them if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.