2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450: 14 recalls, 7 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
14 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #20V673000 · 2020 · 1,337 vehicles
What's wrong: Mercedes-benz USA, LLC. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2021 e350 and e450, 2019-2021 amg e53 and 2020-2021 amg e63 vehicles. The front passenger seat May be missing the mechanical seat adjustment range limit stop, allowing the seat to move outside of the acceptable range in relation to the air bag.
Why it matters: If the front passenger seat is adjusted beyond the acceptable range in relation to the air bag, there could be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash with air bag deployment.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the mechanical seat adjustment range limitation for the front passenger seat and install it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 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.
Seats, Seats Vehicle recall #21V216000 · 2021 · 109 vehicles
What's wrong: The passenger seat limiter May allow the seat to be positioned too close to the air bag.
Why it matters: A seat too close to the air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the frontal passenger air bag.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the passenger seat limiter, free of charge. The recall began April 29, 2021.
Backup camera, Backup camera Vehicle recall #21V228000 · 2021 · 6 vehicles
What's wrong: The parking control unit May fail to display the rearview camera image and cause the parking sensors to misidentify or fail to detect objects.
Why it matters: An inoperative rearview camera display and/or parking sensors can reduce the driver's view and awareness of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: All affected vehicles are still within mbusa's control. Mbusa will replace the parking control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2021. Owner May contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V230000 · 2021 · 8,634 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. A faulty electrical contact within the seat position switch May prevent the driver and passenger air bags and seat belt force limiters from properly activating during a crash.
Why it matters: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021.
Backup camera, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V354000 · 2021 · 343,191 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The mbux multimedia system software May cause the display to remain black, or reboot after startup. This could result in the rearview camera image not displaying properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: The multimedia system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (ota) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 28, 2021.
Seats Vehicle recall #21V406000 · 2021 · 218 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear headrests May be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks.
Why it matters: Incorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2021.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #21V483000 · 2021 · 4,917 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors May deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owners notified of the voluntary recall campaign by an interim letter on August 13, 2021. A final letter was mailed on September 24, 2021.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V527000 · 2021 · 542 vehicles
What's wrong: The side crash sensor connectors May come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.
Why it matters: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021.
Steering Vehicle recall #22V189000 · 2022 · 8,396 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a software error in the hand detection control unit, the hands-off detection might not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel when using the active distance assist distronic system.
Why it matters: Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent distronic system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the active emergency stop assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the distronic system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #22V232000 · 2022 · 126,443 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera May not display the rearview image due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022.
Communication, Electrical Vehicle recall #22V365000 · 2022 · 242,722 vehicles
What's wrong: Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle model details. An error in the communication module's sim card software can cause a mobile network connection failure, disabling the emergency call (ecall) system.
Why it matters: A disabled ecall system would prevent a vehicle occupant from contacting the emergency services call center in an emergency, potentially delaying emergency responders and increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: The communication module software will be updated through an over-the-air (ota) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on July 8, 2022, May 17, 2024, July 29, 2024, and September 27, 2024.
Electrical Vehicle recall #22V733000 · 2022 · 19,968 vehicles
What's wrong: The 12-volt battery in the trunk May not be properly secured, which, in the event of a crash, can cause electrical connection failure, disabling various safety features including, emergency call (ecall) system, electric seat adjustment, hazard warning lights, and automatic door locks.
Why it matters: The inability to operate safety features (ecall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will secure the 12v battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023.
Electrical Vehicle recall #24V100000 · 2024 · 12,191 vehicles
What's wrong: The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment May not be tightened properly and May result in the ground cable overheating.
Why it matters: An overheated ground cable increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Engine (2): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Other / unknown (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Wheels (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 has 7 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 6 E 450 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 10). Complaints peaked in 2021 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 0 years old, at a median of 1,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (9 complaints, 7 recalls), 2022 (11 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 25 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 | 29 | 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450. 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 problems?
Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (3), engine (2), other / unknown (2).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 9-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 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.