Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 reliable?

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 has 47 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300?

Top problems: ENGINE (9 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (7 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES, STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK, SEAT BELTS, COMMUNICATION. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300?

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 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.

2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 has 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 47. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 mercedes-benz e-300. the contact stated that while driving at 80 mph, the vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. the contact also stated that the vehicle experienced unknown electrical and engine failures. on numerous occasions the vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of seattle . There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

9 complaints

19%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E-300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURES. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SEATTLE
• MB 2018 E300 WOULD STOP WITH ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THE STOP AND START SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIXED THE PROBLEM UNTIL I ALMOST GOT KILLED. CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AROUND (NOV 2020 OFF COMMERCIAL BLVD FORT LAUDERDALE FL BETWEEN 4 TO 6PM RAINY DAY RUSH HOUR ABOU
• Recurrent crankshaft ventilation valve failures. Replaced 14 months ago and has failed again. This is a common and known issue with vehicles in E class from 2017 through 2019 and Mercedes has not issued a recall. Perhaps because it costs $3500 to replace it if out of warranty. Entire system repl

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E-300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURES. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SEATTLE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300

Based on 19 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K 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 (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE05/02/2021

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.

Risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.

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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021020025.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/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 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300

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 E 300 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 2018 E 300, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 47 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E-300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURES. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SEATTLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: ELECTRICAL WIRING AND OTHER PLASTIC TUBING DAMAGE FROM RODENTS WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY ON CITY STREET
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: ROOF SPOILER WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL OF: 17V246, BUT HAD FLOWN OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. ROOF SPOILER WAS REATTACHED BUT HAD FLOWN OFF AFTER 500 MILES OF DRIVING. THE ROOF SPOILER STARTED TO BANGING AGAINST THE REAR WINDSHIELD UNTIL IT FLEW OFF DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A THE HIGHWAY. THE SPOILER FLEW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: Mercedes Benz use low quality PCV regulator valve , it is a common failure problem, warranty will not be covered, Benz sells part replacement for around 350 USD and it require about 2000 in labor to be fixed on average
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz E 300 — Year Comparison

How does 2018 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: 47
Recalls: 5
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 0
Injury reports: 1
Segment avg: 47

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300

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