Mercedes-Benz E300 problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every E300 from 1995 to 2017: 175 owner complaints and 17 recalls across 10 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2017 (132), 1999 (13), 1998 (9). Best fuel economy: 27 mpg combined (1996).

Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 0 | 6 | 25 | |
| 1996 | 0 | 1 | 27 | |
| 1997 | 0 | 8 | 26 | |
| 1998 | 0 | 9 | 26 | |
| 1999 | 0 | 13 | 26 | |
| 2001 | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2002 | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2009 | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2017 | 16 | 132 | 25 |
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 Mercedes-Benz E300.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Mercedes-Benz E300?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2017 (132), 1999 (13), 1998 (9).
How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz E300 had?
Across 1995–2017, NHTSA lists 17 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).