Is the 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 reliable?

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 has 10 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (2 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (2 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43?

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 is approximately $2,143/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 has 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: distronic brake system malfunction alert caused check engine light to illuminate and caused engine to turn off. luckily the brakes still worked but no acceleration was possible - kind of a problem at high speed on a busy highway at rush hour. pulled over and put car in park to turn off car. restarte. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 7)

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints

20%

• DISTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY THE BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT NO ACCELERATION WAS POSSIBLE - KIND OF A PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. PULLED OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF CAR. RESTARTE
• I STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT, I SAW A POP UP ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ 'BRAKE ASSIST DISENGAGED'. AT THAT POINT THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART WITH NO SUCCESS, IT WOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. AFTER SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, I JUST KEPT HITTIN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“DISTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY THE BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT NO ACCELERATION WAS POSSIBLE - KIND OF A PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. PULLED OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF CAR. RESTARTE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43

Based on 10 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS27/04/2018

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 4Matic, E300, E43 AMG, and E400 vehicles. The headlight horizontal adjustment screws on these vehicles may not be properly sealed behind a non-removable sealing cap to keep headlights from being readjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: If the headlight's horizontal aim is altered, a misaimed headlight may lead to an insufficiently illuminated roadway, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will retrofit the sealing caps for the headlights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018050012.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,143

Full coverage / month

$179

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+28%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2143

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 155K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

4 yr / 50K mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2017 AMG E43, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 10 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: DISTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY THE BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT NO ACCELERATION WAS POSSIBLE - KIND OF A PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. PULLED OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF CAR. RESTARTE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: DISTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY THE BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT NO ACCELERATION WAS POSSIBLE - KIND OF A PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. PULLED OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF CAR. RESTARTE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I WAS JUST DRIVING HOME ON A CITY STREET (9/20/18) AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY THE BRAKES ON MY E43 LOCKED UP LAUNCHING MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER FORWARD AGAINST OUR SEAT BELTS. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED; I HEARD THE REAR TIRES "CHATTER". THE CAR DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP; THE BRAKES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: DISTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALERT CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF. LUCKILY THE BRAKES STILL WORKED BUT NO ACCELERATION WAS POSSIBLE - KIND OF A PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. PULLED OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF CAR. RESTARTE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 — Year Comparison

How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 10
Recalls: 6
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 0
Injury reports: 0
Segment avg: 10

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43

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