NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
A software error causes the eCall emergency system's date and time to be incorrect, which may result in an inaccurate vehicle location being sent during an emergency call.
This page covers 5 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550.
21 mpg combined
11.2 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz E550 has 5 recalls, the most serious involving airbag defects that can cause the driver airbag to deploy without warning or the passenger-side inflator to explode and send metal fragments into the cabin.
The airbag concerns cover two distinct problems. The driver airbag can deploy on its own with no crash occurring, creating a sudden distraction and impact that raises the risk of losing control. The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator carries a separate and well-documented hazard: in a crash the inflator can rupture violently, scattering sharp metal pieces toward the passenger and anyone else in the vehicle. This inflator defect has been filed across multiple affected vehicles, and prior repair attempts on some vehicles did not fully resolve the issue, which is why more than one recall campaign exists for the same underlying problem.
There is also a fire risk tied to the hood area: a rubber seal near the hood can come loose and fall into the engine compartment, where contact with hot exhaust components can ignite it.
On the electronics side, a software fault in the emergency call system can cause it to report the wrong date, time, and vehicle location when placing an automatic distress call after a crash, which could delay emergency responders from reaching the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error causes the eCall emergency system's date and time to be incorrect, which may result in an inaccurate vehicle location being sent during an emergency call.
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What the fix does
Mercedes-Benz will send a remote software update to your vehicle. Dealers will verify the update worked or install a new communication module software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag may deploy unexpectedly if the steering components lack proper grounding and the airbag clockspring is broken, allowing electrostatic discharge to trigger deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will add grounding to the steering components to prevent electrostatic discharge from triggering the airbag.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A rubber seal at the back of the engine bay may stick to the hood when opened, then fall into the engine bay when the hood closes.
What the fix does
Dealers will attach four additional retaining clips to the rubber seal to keep it secure.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.