Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the wheels and tires, engine, and transmission. The 7 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/7 checked
2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Factory Continental ProContact GX SSR run-flat tires in size 245/40 R19 blow out after hitting small potholes or bumpy pavement. The tire goes flat on impact. Some drivers limp home on the run-flat sidewall, while others need a tow. Repeat failures are the pattern, with owners replacing several tires, sometimes the same corner more than once, within about 1.5 years. One owner says the manufacturer gave no help. Three of the five filings are the same report submitted more than once, so the true count is smaller than it looks.
Sudden stalling is the main pattern. The motor shuts off without warning, either while moving in traffic or when pulling away from a stop light. A "malfunction" message appears, often with no other code, and the car usually restarts only after a full power cycle. Several owners report repeat stalls. In one case the dealer logged code P060C00 and performed a standstill adaption, and the stalling still came back. A separate report describes violent shaking, power loss, a broken piston, and a full engine replacement. Stopping in a live traffic lane creates real rear-end collision risk.
The transmission drops into neutral on its own while driving, including at about 40 mph and while merging onto a highway. No warning light comes on, and dealers cannot reproduce the fault. Other cars show a red malfunction warning at a stop, and the engine revs without moving the car until it is restarted. One report links a 48-volt system warning to an engine coolant overheat warning, limp mode, and a full shutdown while moving. These problems show up very early, at roughly 300 to 1,750 miles, and leave the driver without drive power in traffic.
Excerpts from complaints E-Class owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I had just left home and was about two blocks from my house when the engine stopped running and the word “malfunction” appeared on the display. It would not restart until I hit the off button and then I restarted it. Definite safety issue if I had been on the freeway or a busy street.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 7 E-Class years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the eighth model year of the E-Class's fifth generation (2016–2023).
It includes the 2020 update.
What changed for 2020
Recall repairs are free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLS 53 4MATIC, 2019-2023 E 53 4MATIC Cabriolet, E 53 4MATIC Coupe, E 53 4MATIC Sedan, 2021-2024 GT 43 4MATIC, and 2019-2025 GT 53 4MATIC vehicles. The transmission wiring harness connection might not have been correctly wired during a prior recall repair, and during production. which can expose the electrical connector to corrosion, and result in an electrical short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the two-part wiring harness and connector, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 9, 2024. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024100002/3. This recall supersedes recall 22V-533. Vehicles repaired under the prior recall will still need to have the new remedy performed.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 CLS450, E450, E450 All-Terrain, AMG E53, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, and 2021 AMG CLS53 vehicles. The 48-volt ground cable connection located in the engine compartment may not be tightened properly and may result in the ground cable overheating.
Risk: An overheated ground cable increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the 48-volt ground cable connection and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024MMNNNN.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 23V-445.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 E450, E350, AMG E63 S, AMG E53, CLS450, AMG GT53, and AMG GT43 vehicles. Due to a software error, the exit warning system audio and visual warnings may fail to alert occupants about approaching vehicles.
Risk: Failure to alert occupants of an approaching vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the exit warning system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023080005.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
Cars shoppers compare with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
