VehicleVerdict

Mercedes-Benz E300 years to avoid

The Mercedes-Benz E300 years to avoid are 2017, 2016 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2002 is the cleanest year on record.

237

Total complaints

16

Recall campaigns

1995–2017

Years covered

2

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Mercedes-Benz E300 NHTSA complaints by model year183 complaints1995: 7 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 12 complaints1998: 13 complaints1999: 15 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 1 complaints2009: 2 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 183 complaints
Mercedes-Benz E300 NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

E300 years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2017High complaints + open investigation183
2016Open safety investigation1

Every E300 year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2017avoid18316
2016avoid11
200920
200210
200120
1999150
1998130
1997120
199610
199570

Common questions

What are the worst Mercedes-Benz E300 years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the E300 years to avoid are 2017, 2016. The cleanest year on record is 2002.

What is the best year for the Mercedes-Benz E300?

By complaint volume, 2002 has the cleanest NHTSA record among E300 years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Mercedes-Benz E300 have?

Across all model years, the E300 has 16 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 237 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.