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Mercedes-Benz

2017 Mercedes-Benz E300

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 has 183 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 183. The most common issue is engine problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2017 mercedes-benz e300. while driving approximately 71 mph, the brakes screeched and the vehicle shook and then shut off in the middle of the highway. the active brake assist and "see operator's manual" indicators illuminated. the vehicle was coasted to the sid. There are 16 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 1 crash report 7 injuries

183

Total Complaints

16

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

38 complaints
21%
  • • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, THE BRAKES SCREECHED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST AND "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SID
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME
  • • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V076000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, THE BRAKES SCREECHED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST AND "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SID”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300

Based on 69 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 32K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
32
30-60K
12
60-100K
19
100-150K
6
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
0
60-100K
4
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 80K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
3
60-100K
5
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 (16)

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 E300

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,920
Per month
$160
Per mile
16.0¢
MPG
25
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
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 E300

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.
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 E300 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 E300, 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
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 183 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, THE BRAKES SCREECHED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST AND "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SID

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE C

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, THE BRAKES SCREECHED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST AND "SEE OPERATOR'S MANUAL" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SID

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V114000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 16 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz E300 — Year Comparison

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

2017
183Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
183
Recalls
16
Fire reports
4
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
7
Segment avg
183

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300

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