2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 problems & reliability

Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.

Most reported problems

Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.

Common symptoms owners describe

Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.

Mileage when problems occurred

Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 33,500 miles (middle 50% between 16,000 and 72,100 miles), based on 53 complaints that included mileage.

Complaints by incident year

What owners report

• “My vehicle has about 68k miles, while driving on freeway all of sudden the car engine started to shake and check engine light came on dashboard. This engine shaking would stop when vehicle was being driven at high speed. Upon returning home I checked the DTC codes and had P300, P301 engine misfire codes. My mechanic…”

  Engine · filed Aug 4, 2026

• “There is a recall on my year model 2017 Mercedes E3 hundred 4matic for the steering column shift module, but I’m being told that my specific vin was not included, but it is having the exact issues as the recall while driving the shift lever will not leave drive to go into reverse. It will only go to park. It refuses…”

  Forward Collision Avoidance · filed May 2, 2026

• “My car is not accelerating when I shift into drive or reverse. It says “reversing not possile-service required” error. Out the blue. There is a known recall on these model cars but Mercedes benz is saying its vin specific and mine is not covered even though I am experiencing the exact same issue. Recall date-…”

  Engine · filed Apr 22, 2026

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

Federal defect investigations

• Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  Engineering Analysis EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

Technical service bulletins

216 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. The 10 most recent:

• Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause…

  LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 14, 2026

• Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…

  PSL-NCU Return Parts 6/19 · Other · issued Jun 19, 2026

• Complaint Service code B1 displayed in the customer menu does not match the workshop code displayed in the workshop menu, e.g., 505 or 550A, which includes a service A. Cause The root cause is currently being…

  LI00.20-P-080703 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 12, 2026

• Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following two…

  LI82.85-P-080507 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 26, 2026

• Complaint The customer requests deactivation of the N112/9 HERMES communication module Note: Deactivation of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) is not supported for gray-market vehicles. Cause Before deactivating the…

  LI82.85-P-080559 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 26, 2026

• Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…

  PSL-NCU Return Parts 5/22 · Other · issued May 22, 2026

• Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) C: During…

  LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 19, 2026

• The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, June 4, 2026. After…

  PSL-NCU Return Parts 5/15 · Other · issued May 15, 2026

• Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the…

  LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 16, 2026

• Complaint Tailgate opens unintentionally. Cause Accidental or unnoticed activation of the button to open the tailgate on the vehicle key. EXAMPLE: when stored in trouser pocket, handbag etc. Remedy As of the 6th…

  LI72.20-P-075746 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 2, 2026

TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.

Safety recalls

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.