2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class holds 89 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 7 per year. E-Class years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 6 complaints per year. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

89

Per year

7

Recalls

0

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (30 of 89), then Electrical system (10) and Steering (9). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 E-Class has 57 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2017 has 167 complaints, 15 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (0)

No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Complaints by component (89 total)

Air bags
30
Electrical system
10
Steering
9
Structure
8
Engine
7
Powertrain
6
Service brakes
5
Speed control
5
Visibility
4
Visibility and wipers
4
Forward collision avoidance
3
Fuel and propulsion system
3
Wheels
3
Exterior lighting
2
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Suspension
2
Back-over prevention
1
Communication
1
Seat belts
1
Seats
1
Tires
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120157201672017520181020191520201520217202282023920242202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The rear subframe is defective and subject to premature corrosion and failure of parts that connect to the rear suspension. Due to the fracturing of the joints connecting to the suspension, my car was at risk of going…"
    Suspension, Structure · filed 2026-07-16
  • "Passenger seat capacity sensor fault. Will not activate passenger side air bag. Checked with obd scanner"
    Air bags, Seats · filed 2026-03-16
  • "Fuel odor is very apparent (while idle) but difficult to identify location. Same models seem to have recalls for fuel injectors/rails but not this specific VIN. I believe the issue might be of similar recall. I will…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-01-27
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that water was leaking inside the vehicle through the seal around the windshield. The contact stated that upon manually pushing the windshield, the…"
    Visibility, Structure · filed 2025-12-05
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2025-02-24

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW RWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2 DR RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4 DR RWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio 2 DR 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio 2 DR RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

W212, 2012–2016
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-40 full synthetic (MB-approved; common US E350 fill) , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 245/45R17 to 255/35R18 (trim-dependent; E350 pages)

Known issues for this generation

For 2014 E350 sedans, NHTSA campaign 16V-899 covers certain 2014-2016 E350 vehicles (with SL, S-Class, and other models): the electric power steering control unit may have improperly soldered contacts, which can cause loss of power-steering assist or a fire risk even when parked; dealers replace the EPS control unit. Campaign 19V-010 names certain 2014 E350 coupe/cabrio and related models for a Takata passenger frontal air bag inflator that may explode and send metal fragments into the cabin; dealers replace the passenger frontal air bag module. Confirm open campaigns by VIN under trim strings such as E350.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class holds 89 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 7 per year. E-Class years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 6 complaints per year. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

What are common problems with a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (30 of 89), then Electrical system (10) and Steering (9). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 E-Class has 57 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2017 has 167 complaints, 15 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class been recalled?

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Owners have filed 89 complaints about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with NHTSA.

What generation is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

W213 generation (2017-2023).

What oil does a US Mercedes-Benz E-Class typically take?

Generation notes list MB-approved 0W-40 full synthetic for common US E350/E300 fills; confirm the approval sheet in the manual.

What tire sizes does a Mercedes-Benz E-Class use?

Sizes vary widely by chassis and trim; W213 E300 pages span about 225/55R17 to 245/40R19.