NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 5 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz E550 has 5 recalls, the most serious involving the airbag system: the driver's frontal airbag can deploy without warning, and the front passenger airbag inflator can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin.
These two airbag concerns work in opposite directions but are equally serious. An inadvertent driver airbag deployment at any speed can startle the driver, obscure visibility, and cause a crash. The passenger-side inflator issue is a Takata-type rupture risk where the inflator can burst and throw sharp metal shards toward anyone in the front seat, with potential for serious injury or death. A third airbag concern works the opposite way: the pelvis airbag and front passenger airbag inflator initiator may fail to fire in a crash at all, leaving occupants without the restraint protection the system is designed to provide. On the structural side, certain vehicles built in a narrow window in mid-2016 have insufficient clearance between the left catalytic converter and a composite underbody panel. The catalytic converter runs extremely hot, and without adequate separation, the panel can begin to melt and potentially catch fire. The fifth recall affects the automatic crash notification system, which is designed to contact emergency responders after a collision. A software fault can cause the system to transmit the wrong location, meaning help may be sent somewhere other than where the vehicle actually came to rest.
At a glance
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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 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 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
The pelvis air bag or front passenger air bag inflator may fail to ignite during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left catalytic converter may not have enough space between it and the composite underbody panel underneath the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the underbody panel and replace it if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.