2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300: 7 recalls, 32 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V515000 · 2018 · 345 vehicles
What's wrong: The occupant classification system (ocs) May not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.
Why it matters: If a child seat is in the front seat and the passenger air bag is not deactivated, in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018.
Electrical Vehicle recall #18V725000 · 2018 · 4,073 vehicles
What's wrong: The cover for the starter battery May not cover the live positive electrical wire, and in certain crashes, the vehicle's strut brace May deform and short circuit the battery.
Why it matters: If the battery is shorted, the emergency door unlocking would be deactivated for an outside responder and the short circuit could increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive pole cover, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2018.
Steering Vehicle recall #18V850000 · 2018 · 6,373 vehicles
What's wrong: A locknut in the steering rack May break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.
Why it matters: A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #19V788000 · 2019 · 29,720 vehicles
What's wrong: Mercedes-benz USA, LLC. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2018 e400 wagon 4matic, e400 4matic, e43 amg 4matic, 2018-2019 e63s amg 4matic wagon, e63 amg 4matic wagon, e300, e300 4matic, glc63s coupe amg 4matic, 2019 cls450, cls450 4matic, cls53 amg 4matic, e450 wagon, e53 amg 4matic, glc300, glc63 amg coupe 4matic, g550 4matic, g63 amg, glc300 coupe 4matic, glc300 4matic, glc350e 4matic, glc43 amg coupe 4matic, glc43 amg…
Why it matters: The electric pre-safeâ®-function and the seat belt pretensioners May not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckles, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2020.
Electrical, Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V449000 · 2020 · 56 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Without the audible tone and blinking warning light to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they May forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2020.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V058000 · 2021 · 1,292,258 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Failure of the ecall system May result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The fix: 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.
Communication, Communication Vehicle recall #21V072000 · 2021 · 67 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A disabled ecall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting emergency services through the call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (9): the most common themes are warning light on (3), noise or vibration (2), leaks (2).
- Electrical (7): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), noise or vibration (2).
- Other / unknown (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (5): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (2).
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 has 32 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 2 E 300 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 30). Complaints peaked in 2025 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 15,567 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (29 complaints, 8 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 problems?
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (9), electrical (7), other / unknown (6).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 9-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.