2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has mixed reliability. There are 30 recalls and 36 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Severity signals include 2 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Electrical System (12), Engine (6), Power Train (4).
E-Class reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Mercedes-Benz E-Class before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Most-reported 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Electrical System12
- Engine6
- Power Train4
- Back Over Prevention4
- Unknown Or Other4
- Service Brakes2
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Inspect transmission for signs of failure or shuddering
- Check 48V and 12V battery health and replacement history
- Test engine for misfires or unusual noises
- Verify rearview camera and parking sensors function properly
- Ensure MBUX multimedia system is updated and functional
- Check for any unresolved recalls related to electrical or engine systems
2021 E-Class recalls (15)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 E-Class. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 22V232000Apr 8, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. 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."
Consequence: An inoperable rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022060007.
- STEERINGNHTSA 22V189000Mar 25, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, EClass Coupe/Convertible, CLS, AMG GT 4-doors Coupe, and EQS vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel. 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy
Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 21V527000Jul 12, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts during a side impact crash.
Consequence: Air bags and seatbelts that don't function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the side impact crash sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021070032/33.
- SEAT BELTSNHTSA 21V483000Jun 25, 2021
Mercedes-Benz, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 G550, AMG G63, E350, E450, AMG CLS53, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, AMG GT63, 2021-2022 CLS450, and AMG E63 vehicles. 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."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
- SEATSNHTSA 21V406000May 28, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C300 Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG S Cabriolet, E450 Cabriolet, and E53 AMG Cabriolet vehicles. The rear headrests may be incorrectly mounted to the seatbacks.
Consequence: Incorrectly mounted headrests could move or detach from the seat during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear seatback guide bushings and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060010.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 21V354000May 14, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. 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."
Consequence: A backup camera that displays a blank image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021050012.
- BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 21V228000Apr 1, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 E350, E450, E450 Wagon, and AMG E63 vehicles. The parking control unit may fail to display the rearview camera image and cause the parking sensors to misidentify or fail to detect objects.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy
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.
- SEATS, AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTSNHTSA 21V230000Apr 1, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLC, CLS, AMG GT 4-door Coupe and G-Class vehicles. 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.
Consequence: Air bags and seat belts that do not perform properly in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat position switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040016.
- SEATSNHTSA 21V216000Mar 26, 2021
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 E350, E450, E450 Wagon, E63S AMG, 2020 E63S AMG Wagon, and 2020-2021 E53 AMG vehicles. The passenger seat limiter may allow the seat to be positioned too close to the air bag.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the passenger seat limiter, free of charge. The recall began April 29, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040002.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMMUNICATIONNHTSA 21V058000Feb 5, 2021
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.
Consequence: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
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.
- SEATSNHTSA 20V673000Oct 30, 2020
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-368-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020110013.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 24V100000Feb 9, 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 CLS450, E450, E450 All-Terrain, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, and 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment may not be tightened properly and may result in the ground cable overheating.
Consequence: An overheated ground cable increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024MMNNNN.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 23V445000Jun 26, 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 22V733000Sep 30, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 CLS450 Coupe and AMG E53, 2019-2021 AMG CLS53 Coupe, and 2021-2022 E450 vehicles. 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy
Dealers will secure the 12V battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022100009.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMMUNICATIONNHTSA 22V365000May 20, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers are for this recall is 2022060005 and 2023110006.
How the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class exhibits a reliability score slightly below the segment average, indicating a higher-than-usual risk for potential buyers. With 30 recalls, the vehicle shows an elevated level of manufacturer-identified issues, suggesting a need for caution. Complaints are fairly distributed, with the electrical system being the most frequently reported area of concern, followed by issues with the engine and power train.
As the model enters the sixth year of its generation, one might expect improved reliability; however, the data suggests otherwise for this iteration. The combination of elevated recalls and a broad distribution of complaints contributes to an overall perception of elevated reliability risk. Prospective buyers should be mindful of these factors when considering the 2021 E-Class.
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2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class exhibits a reliability score slightly below the segment average, indicating a higher-than-usual risk for potential buyers. With 30 recalls, the vehicle shows an elevated level of manufacturer-identified issues, suggesting a need for caution. Complaints are fairly distributed, with the electrical system being the most frequently reported area of concern, followed by issues with the engine and power train.
How many recalls does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
15 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?
The most-reported 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problem areas are: Electrical System (12), Engine (6), Power Train (4).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.
