2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 problems & reliability
34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400, alongside 7 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags → | 22 | 65% |
| Steering | 4 | 12% |
| Engine | 2 | 6% |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 6% |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical System | 1 | 3% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 3% |
| Power Train | 1 | 3% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 13 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The automatic brake and Adaptive Cruise Control warning lights were illuminated. The emergency braking system engaged…”
Forward Collision Avoidance · filed Feb 24, 2025
“Mercedes Benz has a recall on several models including E-Class (E 200, E 220, E 280, E 350) experiencing timing chain problems. The timing chain is an important component of the engine, as it helps to coordinate the timing of the engine’s various parts. I am currently having the same issue, but my model is an (E400)…”
Engine · filed Nov 11, 2024
“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 engine needed to…”
Engine · filed Mar 21, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open
Technical service bulletins
152 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400. The 10 most recent:
Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause…
LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 14, 2026
Complaint After successful commissioning of the HERMES control unit (N112/9) with XENTRY Diagnosis DVD 03/2026, the message "SOS - service not activated" appears on the instrument cluster. In addition, the following two…
LI82.85-P-080507 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 26, 2026
Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than…
PSL-NCU Return Parts 5/22 · Other · issued May 22, 2026
Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) C: During…
LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 19, 2026
The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, June 4, 2026. After…
PSL-NCU Return Parts 5/15 · Other · issued May 15, 2026
Complaint Potential corrosion on the rear axle carrier Cause Due to market-specific conditions such as moisture, ingress of dirt and/or environmental influences, corrosion can occur on the rear axle carrier Remedy In…
LI35.10-P-078931 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 13, 2026
The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, May 14, 2026. After…
PSL-NCU Return Parts 4/24 · Other · issued Apr 25, 2026
Complaint The intent of this document is to provide workshops with helpful technical reference language. • Commonly used acronyms in LI's and TIPS cases. • Control unit names, numbers, and how to identify. •…
LI00.01-P-078887 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2026
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the…
LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 16, 2026
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp…
LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.