W213
2017 Mercedes-Benz E300
The most reported problem on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 is misfire, with 17 complaints.
- 132owner complaints
- 16recalls
- 2involved a crash
- 43,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 12, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 reliable?
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 has 132 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 178 for 2017 sedans on this site. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- No model year next to the 2017 has enough complaints (at least 10) to compare it with.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Misfire has 17 complaints and stalling has 14, out of 132 in all. Too few of the misfire reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 8 of the 132 complaints (6%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 2 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 7 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 16 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2024 at 23 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 18. So far in 2026, 9 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: check engine light or misfire, 17 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
132 complaints is 2.0 times fewer than the median 2017 model on this site and 1.3 times fewer than the median 2017 sedan. Among the 1 E300 model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300
Mercedes-Benz filed 222 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. 28 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Check engine light or misfire 5 bulletins · 17 complaints
Complaint Check engine light on with the following fault is current in the VGS Control Unit: P084300 Oil pressure sensor 'A' has a short circuit to positive stored in VGS control unit.
Complaint Check engine light illuminated Fault code stored in N3/10 control unit- P052E71 – Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance: The valve for crankcase ventilation has a malfunction Cause The partial-load ventilation valve (a part of ...
3 more on this problem
Complaint Check engine light on. One of the below fault codes is current in the engine control module (N3/10). P04DB29, P04DB31, P04DB79 Cause Open circuit or high resistance to crankcase vent line contact Remedy 1.
Check engine light illuminated Fault code stored in N3/10 control unit- P052E71 Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance: The valve for crankcase ventilation has a malfunction The partial-load ventilation valve (a part of the intake line ...
Minor leaks at the oil duct of the left or right cylinder head of engines 157, 276 and 278. 1. Left cylinder head: Oil passage plug hole on left beside mechanical vacuum pump. 2. Right cylinder head: Oil passage plug hole below high-pressure pump housing.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
Complaint Noticeable vibrations at the steering wheel: • At speeds between 40mph and 75mph • On straight stretches of road and in long corners • With driver assistance systems switched on Cause Control oscillations in the electric power steering.
Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
Complaint Customer-perceived problem: • Fuel gauge reading implausible • MIL ON (market-dependent) N118/3 Fault codes in control units FSCM_GEN4/5/6 • For these fault codes, the tests contained in XENTRY must be carried out P046109 / P206609 / P13E600 • For ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 13 bulletins · 7 complaints
Complaint A popup is seen on the HU with the message "data connection temporarily not available". Potentially affected functionalities in NTG4.5, NTG5 1.Weather 2.Local Search 3.IP Radio 4.Send2Car 5.Speech Detection Service 6.Navigation 7.iHeartRadio ...
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 investigated.
11 more on this problem
Complaint Yellow information message in driver display (instrument cluster): "Switch on motor to charge the 12V battery" Cause The state of charge (SOC) of the 12V battery has dropped to 45% or less.
Complaint MBUX head unit display with red text box "System Inoperative". ONLY for vehicles with SA code (549+21U) or (549+U19). Cause Head unit software variant. Remedy For all chassis use Xentry to update head unit (A26/17).
Complaint After a software update of HERMES communication module N112/9 has been performed on a gray import vehicle, the message "SOS - Service not activated" is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Complaint The Apple Carplay interface cannot be controlled via the center console touchpad or the right-hand steering wheel touchpad.
Complaint The following complaints may be noted by the customer: ⢠Upon selecting navigation, the central display may show the following message: "Map data does not match with your system. Please insert a medium containing the corresponding map data".
MBUX multimedia system: Map data does not match with your system/the navigation system cannot be activated
Upon selecting navigation, the central display may show the following message: "Map data does not match with your system. Please insert a medium containing the corresponding map data". the navigation menu cannot be opened.
Central display: Malfunctions temporarily.
The vehicle cannot be started The vehicle may start by itself shortly after the startup attempt with a delay, as the relay can be late closing. and/or The gear selection is displayed, but no gear is engaged. Gear selection is not possible.
The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30).
Plus 1 older ones not listed here.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 7 bulletins · 6 complaints
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.
Complaint Only vehicles with a variable transfer case are affected. This can be identified through control unit N45 or N15/7 in the quick test. When accelerating with light load, vibrations or jolting sensation may come from the drivetrain.
5 more on this problem
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa).
Complaint Possible complaints about shift quality, issues with learning the park lock, and slipping/rinse entries in the EEPROM or Transmission Health system following the replacement of the below components: - The electrohydraulic control unit (EHS valve ...
Complaint 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.
Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of rear axle
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). Heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 6 complaints
Complaint ESP®, BAS, PRE-SAFE®, HOLD function, Hill-Start Assist and ESP® trailer stabilization are unavailable. Also the adaptive brake lights, Adaptive Brake Assist and/or ATTENTION ASSIST may be unavailable.
Complaints filed by year
23 complaints came in 2024. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 C300, E300, 2018-2020 CLA250, 2020 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG GT53, GLE450, 2018 AMG E63, AMG GTA, 2017-2020 GLA250, GLC300, 2019 GLC350, AMG GLC43, 2017-2018 GLE350, 2019 AMG GLC 43, GLC350, GLE400, 2017 GLS450, S550, C300 Cabrio, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles. On June 18, 2021, an additional 9 vehicles were added, including certain 2021 GLA250, GLC300, 2018 S450, E400, and 2017 CLA250 vehicles. The communication module might have been inadvertently deactivated during a service visit, which could have disabled the Emergency Call (eCall) function.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the communication module and activate it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Letters for the owners of the 9 additional vehicles were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021030005.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 C300, C300 Coupe, CLS450, E450 Coupe and S450, 2017-2019 E300, 2018 E400 Coupe, E400 Stationwagon, and 2018-2019 S560 vehicles that have previously had the instrument cluster replaced. The software in the replaced instrument cluster may cause the seat belt warning system to not operate properly, only displaying a solid warning light if either the driver or passenger seat belt is unfastened, instead of a blinking light with an audible tone.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020080015.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 4Matic, E300, E43 AMG, and E400 vehicles. The headlight horizontal adjustment screws on these vehicles may not be properly sealed behind a non-removable sealing cap to keep headlights from being readjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will retrofit the sealing caps for the headlights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018050012.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 4Matic, E300, and E43 AMG vehicles fitted with LED headlights. These vehicles may have misadjusted headlights, possibly resulting in the low beam headlights insufficiently illuminating the roadway. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp adjustment, adjusting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018030005.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300, S65 AMG Coupe, S550, S65 AMG Cabriolet, S550 Cabriolet, S550e, S65 AMG, and Mercedes-Maybach S600 vehicles. A transistor within the power steering control unit may overheat resulting in the power steering system being disabled.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering rack, replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling one 2017 C43 AMG, one E300 4Matic sedan, one GLC300, and one E43 AMG 4Matic sedan. These vehicles have electrical power steering control units with improperly welded contact pins.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 and E300 4MATIC vehicles. The software for the widescreen instrument cluster may cause the instrument cluster to not display anything on vehicle on startup, or the display may reset while driving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster display software, free of charge. The recall began late May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 E300 and 2017 E300 4MATIC vehicles. The affected vehicles have a roof mounted spoiler that may not be properly attached and thus may detach while driving.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the roof spoilers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 9, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 GLE300d 4Matic, E400 4Matic Coupe, GL63 AMG, GLE350, GLE350 4Matic, GLE350d 4Matic, GLE400 4Matic, GLE43 AMG Coupe 4Matic, GLE550e 4Matic, GLE63 AMG 4Matic, GLE63S AMG 4Matic and GLE63S AMG Coupe 4Matic vehicles, 2017 E300 4Matic and GLS63 AMG 4Matic vehicles, and 2016-2017 GL350 4Matic BlueTec, GL450 4Matic, and GL550 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering connector that may be insufficiently sealed, allowing water to enter the control unit.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and inspect the electric power steering rack, replacing the rack as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 30, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 and E300 4Matic vehicles. The front passenger air bag may not deploy properly if a front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the seat reclined. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owner's can contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2017 C300 4Matic, C300, CLA250, CLA250 4Matic and CLA45 AMG vehicles, 2017 C300 4Matic Cabrio, C300 4Matic Coupe, C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 4Matic Wagon, E43 AMG 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic and GLC300 4Matic Coupe vehicles and 2016 C350e and GLC300 vehicles and 2016-2017 C450 4Matic AMG Sport and GLC300 4Matic vehicles. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2017080002.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300, E300 4Matic, and E43 AMG vehicles. The front passenger occupant detection control unit may have been incorrectly installed. As a result, the front passenger seat occupant may be misclassified. For example, an adult may be misclassified as a child seat, causing the front passenger air bag to be deactivated in the event of a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the pressure hose of the seat occupancy detection control unit and replace the pressure hose and seat occupancy detection mat if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 E300 and E300 4Matic vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module. If the internal circuit board is damaged, moving the shift lever will not select a transmission gear.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column-mounted shift lever module, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E550 Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, E550 Cabriolet, E300, E300 4Matic, E400 Wagon, GLA250, and GLA250 4Matic vehicles. The pelvis air bag or the front passenger air bag inflator initiator may fail to ignite in the event of a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2017 E300 Sedan and E300 Sedan 4Matic vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to June 30, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the rear bench seat frame may contact and damage the wiring harness for the fuel pump, fuel tank pressure sensor or fuel level gauge.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will modify the routing of the affected wiring harness, repairing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 28, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
All 16 recalls on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300?
Misfire, with 17 of the 132 complaints.
At what mileage do 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 problems start?
Of the 62 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 17,000 miles and half by about 43,000.
How many 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
8 of them (6%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for misfire on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300?
No recall on file for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 is on the same system as misfire. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.