2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
βœ“Good Reliability

This 2021 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the MERCEDES-BENZ brand.

Key Factor:below-average recall rate

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

A clean recall record is a positive signal for both safety and ownership costs. Vehicles with no known defects typically qualify for lower insurance premiums and face fewer unexpected repair expenses.

When negotiating insurance rates, a documented history of zero manufacturer recalls can support your case for preferred pricing.

Focus Area:clean safety record
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Expert Analysis

  • πŸ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Battery
  • βš–οΈ
    Vs Brand: Better than avg (0.4)
    πŸ“
    Summary:

Safety & Reliability Score

99/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-0
Complaint Impact-0.8
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class

Model Year2021
MakeMERCEDES-BENZ
ModelE-Class
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan21
NEWProduction
Apr21
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

6 complaints (38% of total)
➑️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
βœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 16 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
3(19%)
🟑Medium
4(25%)
🟒Low
9(56%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

βš™οΈEngineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 15,306 miles.

πŸ“Š Mileage data extracted from 7 of 16 complaints (44% coverage)
0-20k
4 reports (57%)
20k-40k
2 reports (29%)
40k-60k
1 reports (14%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

No Recalls Found

πŸ†

Perfect Recall Status

2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class

Exceptional News! As of January 2026, the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class has recorded 0 safety recalls.

Compared to other 2021 models which average multiple safety campaigns, this vehicle's clean sheet is a testament to its engineering integrity.

πŸ›‘οΈ Proactive Safety Maintenance Guide

Even with a perfect recall record, regular maintenance safeguards your vehicle's reliability. Our experts recommend monitoring these systems:

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Brake System HealthInspect pads and fluid levels every 12,000 miles to ensure stopping power.
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Electrical & BatteryTest battery load annually; modern electronics are sensitive to voltage drops.
πŸ‘οΈ
Visibility ComponentsReplace wiper blades every 6-12 months and polish clouded headlights.
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Tire & Wheel CheckRotate tires every 5,000 miles and check TPMS sensors for accuracy.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations
βœ“

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

16 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 E-Class.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Battery38%
Check Engine Light19%
Display19%
Fire13%
Warning13%
Crash/Accident13%
Stall6%
Leak6%
Smoke6%
Burn6%
Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
ENGINE

My 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350 (VIN [XXX] ) developed a serious engine issue involving cylinder misfire and check engine light. The dealer diagnosed it as a leaking exhaust valve on cylinder 4, related to TSB LI01.30-P-072328, which documents valve seat wear in M260 engines. This is a known defect acknowledged by Mercedes in technical bulletins, and other customers in the U.S. have received warranty extensions or goodwill coverage. I was denied coverage even though this is a manufacturer defect that can lead to misfire, power loss, and potential stalling, posing a safety risk on the road. Mercedes-Benz USA refuses to cover the repair (~$7,600+), even though it relates to a factory-documented problem. I’m requesting that NHTSA investigate this engine defect, as it may qualify for a safety recall or mandatory extended warranty coverage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN

The Mercedes E350, with 22,000 miles suffered a catastrophic transmission failure while driving on the highway. I managed to exit the highway but the car could not be moved and left me stranded.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1) Rear view camera sometimes working, some times not working. (Message reads β€œsystem inoperative β€œ 2) Forward view camera also affected. 3) display shown β€œ12V battery low in battery β€œ 4) Not long ago, just had vehicle suddenly vibrating vigorously while backing up from parking and during driving. Gas paddle not responding when stepping down, ( vehicle was then towed to dealer and they updated some kind of electrical thing)

Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

FIRE FIRE FIRE Information light came on just saying 12 Volt Battery. I sat in the car letting it idle for about 3 minutes. It began to smoke and then burst into flames. I called 911 got the fire department here but by the time they were here there was not much left. The car essentially burned to the ground and insurance has declared it a total loss. Car was in my driveway, was certainly a danger to me, to my house and to my neighbor's cars and house.

Safety SystemsπŸ”΅ Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION

I was parking and the 360 view sensor did not come up. When I tried to back out and move forward again, I realized the back up camera would not come on. I turned the car on and off and then tried again to reverse to engage the camera but was instead given a message that says system inoperative.

BrakesπŸ”΅ Low
SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle the emergency brake independently seized. The contact stated that the vehicle abruptly stopped. The vehicle would not drive forward or backward. The contact contacted the dealer and a service technician was dispatched to the location. The service technician connected the vehicle to the diagnostic equipment. The contact was advised that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake caliber voltage malfunction and the brake caliber voltage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,001.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”Ά Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The engine is misfiring and not powering correctly during driving. Car is failing to take off and today almost caused an accident due to the car would not pull off from the traffic light with oncoming traffic due to loss of power. Safety was at risk due to an accident was almost caused due to car not moving in on coming traffic Dealership is citing that is needs to have a cylinder replaced but will not tell me why it needs to be replaced, why this has happened or what could have been done pre maintenance to avoid this issue Check engine light came on Dealer has been contacted, and was told this is a common issue for this to happen to newer cars, but will not fix the issue and extended warranty will not cover due to this is a manufacturer issue

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V445000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 53,200.

Safety SystemsπŸ”Ά Medium
BACK OVER PREVENTION

When in reverse, sometimes the rearview camera image does not come and and the parking sensors do not work. An inoperative rearview camera display and/or parking sensors can reduce the driver’s view and awareness of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. This has been happening over the last 2 years infrequently. When the issue was brought up at the dealer during service, their recommendation was to bring the vehicle in immediately at the time it occurs, but I haven't been able to do so with work. Now this issue is happening more frequently. There is a campaign online that is for the same issue I'm having: April 1, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V228000 Rearview Camera and Parking Sensors Malfunction

Steering/SuspensionπŸ”΅ Low
WHEELS

After the car sits for three or more days, brakes locks up. It takes lots of power to get the brakes to release. It’s a safety concern as the car is parked in the garage with not enough room to maneuver. We never had any car which locks the brakes in this manner. Took it to MB dealer and they say it’s the way brakes are designed. A complete nonsense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class?

No, the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class currently has no recorded recalls from NHTSA.

Is the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class safe to drive?

The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class has no active recalls, which is a positive safety indicator. Always maintain regular service intervals for optimal safety.

Where can I check if my 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local MERCEDES-BENZ dealer.

πŸ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

➑️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • No active recalls are recorded, but maintain regular service intervals and report any unusual symptoms to NHTSA.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
  • This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.