The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E Class has 12 recalls, the most serious being a plastic underbody panel positioned too close to the left catalytic converter, where heat can melt the panel and start a fire.
A separate electrical recall involves the rear seat bench frame chafing through the wiring harness to the fuel system, which can cause the fuel pump, fuel pressure sensor, or fuel gauge to fail. On the safety equipment side, three recalls involve the airbag system: pelvis and frontal airbags on certain vehicles may not deploy properly in a crash, a passenger seat sensor that detects occupant size can be misclassified when the seat is moved to its rearmost and lowest position, and airbag control units on some vehicles were programmed incorrectly and may not trigger as intended. On coupe and cabriolet models, front seatbacks may not fully lock on the right side, which can allow objects from the rear to come forward in a crash, and the passenger seat adjustment range may allow the seat to travel too far forward, raising injury risk in a collision. The trunk spoiler may not be properly secured and can detach at highway speeds, becoming a hazard for other vehicles. The shifter module can fail internally and leave the driver unable to select a gear while stopped. Rounding out the list are headlamp recalls covering both aim adjustment and horizontal adjustment compliance, along with a software issue affecting the widescreen instrument cluster display.
At a glance
What can fail
The trunk spoiler may not be securely fastened. At high speeds, it could separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect the trunk spoiler and secure it properly to the vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
On certain coupe and cabriolet models, the right front seatback may fail to lock fully. In a crash, an unlocked seatback could allow objects from the rear seats to move forward.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front seatbacks and replace them as needed to ensure they lock properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger seat adjustment range may be limited too much, allowing the seat to move too far forward. This increases injury risk in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger seat adjustment range and install a mechanical limiter or update the seat control software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Headlamps can be adjusted horizontally, which violates lighting standards. This may reduce your vehicle's visibility or interfere with oncoming drivers' vision in low-light conditions, increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will install sealing caps on the headlamps to lock the adjustment screws in place.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
LED headlamps may not be adjusted to the correct specification, causing the low beam to not shine far enough ahead. This reduces visibility and increases crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and adjust the headlamp settings to meet the proper specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The widescreen instrument cluster may have incorrect software, causing it to display nothing when you start the vehicle or to reset while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software to the correct version.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The airbag control unit may be incorrectly programmed. In a low-speed frontal crash, the airbag may deploy at the wrong stage, potentially causing increased injury to unbelted or out-of-position front seat occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the airbag control unit with the correct software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some vehicles have driver, passenger pelvis, or frontal airbags that don't meet specifications and may fail to deploy during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected airbag modules.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shift lever module on the steering column can develop internal circuit board damage, causing it to stop working. When this happens, the vehicle may not respond to your shift lever inputs, preventing forward or backward movement as intended.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the entire steering column module with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat occupancy sensor may be installed incorrectly, causing the pressure hose to kink when the seat moves to its lowest, rearmost position. This prevents the sensor from correctly detecting an adult occupant, potentially treating them as a child in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the pressure hose routing and replace the hose and occupancy detection mat if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The underbody panel sits too close to the left catalytic converter. Heat from the converter can melt the plastic panel and potentially start a fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the underbody panel and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear seat bench frame can damage the fuel system wiring harness, causing the fuel pump, pressure sensor, or fuel gauge to fail. A failed fuel pump stops fuel supply to the engine, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will reroute the wiring harness and repair any damage found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
