BestCarRank
Mercedes-Benz

2016 Mercedes-Benz E400

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 has 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 23. The most common issue is air bags problems (56% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall - i received a notice that my airbag operation is potentially defective. a solution has apparently been identified (grounding the steering wheel?) but it is not yet available. to be clear, i have not had my airbag deploy, i just have not had the issue addressed..

2 crash reports

39

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

22 complaints
56%
  • TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY AIRBAG OPERATION IS POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE. A SOLUTION HAS APPARENTLY BEEN IDENTIFIED (GROUNDING THE STEERING WHEEL?) BUT IT IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. TO BE CLEAR, I HAVE NOT HAD MY AIRBAG DEPLOY, I JUST HAVE NOT HAD THE ISSUE ADDRESSED.
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES BENZ E400. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V627000 (AIR BAGS) ON NOVEMBER OF 2017. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH WHITE PLAINS MERCEDES AT 914-750-4148 AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE MANUF
  • OCT 06,2017 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER2017100005 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER17V627 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE WHEN WILL THIS BE FIXED?
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY AIRBAG OPERATION IS POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE. A SOLUTION HAS APPARENTLY BEEN IDENTIFIED (GROUNDING THE STEERING WHEEL?) BUT IT IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. TO BE CLEAR, I HAVE NOT HAD MY AIRBAG DEPLOY, I JUST HAVE NOT HAD THE ISSUE ADDRESSED.

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400

Based on 15 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 55K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
6
30-60K
5
60-100K
1
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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,087
Per month
$174
Per mile
17.4¢
MPG
23
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,401/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,656/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 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400

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
$1,971
Full coverage / month
$164
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+18%
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 age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1971

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz E400 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 2016 E400, 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 39 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY AIRBAG OPERATION IS POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE. A SOLUTION HAS APPARENTLY BEEN IDENTIFIED (GROUNDING THE STEERING WHEEL?) BUT IT IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. TO BE CLEAR, I HAVE NOT HAD MY AIRBAG DEPLOY, I JUST HAVE NOT HAD THE ISSUE ADDRESSED.

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

  • STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES BENZ E400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF HUNT VALLEY 9800 YORK ROAD COCKEYSVILLE, MD 21030, (410)-666-7777 TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V241000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FREE REPAIR FAILED TO FIX

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

  • BRAKES: THE BRAKES ON MY 2016 MERCEDES BENZ E 400 APPEAR TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT MADE SUFFICIENT ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. MY VEHICLE HAS REQUIRED NUMEROUS SERVICE ATTEMPTS, SINCE PURCHASE. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE SUCH AS, BRAKES FAILU

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

  • ENGINE: The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would display a vibration sensation. The check engine light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket had failed. The head gasket and

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

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mercedes-Benz E400 — Year Comparison

How does 2016 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
39
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
23

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400