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2018 Mercedes Benz E Class Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2018 Mercedes Benz E Class has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Alloy wheel rim cracking.” Mercedes-Benz alternates two service events: Service A (oil, filter, inspection) at roughly 10,000 miles or 1 year, then Service B (Service A plus brake fluid, cabin filter, and deeper checks) at roughly 20,000 miles or 2 years — the ASSYST Plus counter in the cluster tells you which is due. Oil must carry the MB-Approval number your engine specifies (commonly 229.5, or 229.71 for newer 0W-20 engines); 'meets or exceeds' marketing language is not an approval. Electric EQB and EQS models keep the A/B rhythm for inspections, brake fluid, and cabin filters — just without oil.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Mercedes Benz E Class.

Reported to NHTSA

Alloy wheel rim cracking

WHEELS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-04 → 2024-01

“I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY WITH 9,000 MILES IN. AFTER I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME, I REALIZED THAT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS SLOWLY LEAKING AIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11321451
“I BOUGHT A 2018 MERCEDES BENZ E43 ABOUT A YEAR AGO WITH APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MILES. TODAY THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MILES. IN THOSE 13,000 AND ABOUT ONE YEAR OF USE THE VEHICLE HAS DAMAGED THREE FRONT WHEELS AND FOUR FRONT TIRES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11372796
“Mercedes AMG wheels crack under normal driving conditions”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11566148

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt retraction and latch failure

SEAT BELTS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2021-03 → 2026-02

“The driver-side seat belt retractor on my 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 (W213) has failed to fully retract, leaving significant slack across the driver's chest and lap. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer has diagnosed the issue as a failed seat belt motor”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11715242
“Passenger seatbelt does not latch to the buckle. Therefore I am unable to have passengers in my vehicle. And when I do it becomes a huge safety issue. No mechanic can seem to figure out what is wrong with it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11635486
“The seat belts do not retract when taking them off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11569129

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rearview camera display failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-09 → 2026-01

“The back-up camera failed while in the middle of reversing. Screen went completely black and unresponsive. Putting the car in Park then back to Reverse didn't work, screen still black”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11559062
“The rear backup camera intermittently will open for a second, display the rear view (when in reverse), then immediately closes. This often happens after the trunk has been opened / closed, as when we go shopping and put items in the trunk”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11710180
“Backup camera does not work sometimes. A picture of the camera with a slash mark across it comes up on a black command screen. This is a big safety issue when I back up”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11542077

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering recall repair parts unavailability

STEERING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2019-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11206790
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11217716
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E400C. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V850000 (STEERING)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11220714

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Crankcase ventilation valve failure

ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2023-04 → 2025-03

“yellow check engine light came on and a few days later the car stalled on the road potentially causing an accident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11520095
“Recurrent crankshaft ventilation valve failures. Replaced 14 months ago and has failed again. This is a common and known issue with vehicles in E class from 2017 through 2019 and Mercedes has not issued a recall. Perhaps because it costs $3500 to replace it if out of warranty”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11515977
“Mercedes Benz use low quality PCV regulator valve , it is a common failure problem, warranty will not be covered, Benz sells part replacement for around 350 USD and it require about 2000 in labor to be fixed on average”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11558454

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected automatic emergency braking activation

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2024-11

“WHEN DRIVING ON AN OPEN 2 LANE COUNTY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ENGAGED AND FULLY STOPPED THE CAR FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD, I DID NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED AND BEEPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11413451
“THE CAR ACTIVATED ITS EMERGENCY BRAKING FUNCTION UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS DRIVING ON A COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS STREET. NO CARS NO BAGS NO WIND NO ANYTHING AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH. ALL CLEAR AIR TEMP 83 DEGREES F. SUNSHINE. NO ADVERSE CONDITIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11205093
“THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND CONTROLLED BY ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 35 MPH. THE TIME WAS 12:40 PM ET ON 29 MARCH 2019. SEEMINGLY THE CAR WENT INTO CRASH PREVENTION MODE BY TIGHTENING THE SEAT BELT AND EXECUTING A MAXIMUM FORCE BRAKING STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11192423

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shift and neutral-slip failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2022-05 → 2026-05

“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated while attempting to shift into drive, the transmission independently shifted to neutral. The contact attempted several times to shift into drive however, the transmission failure persisted”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11614515
“Vehicle went into limp mode at 83,000 miles and it was due to the electronic valve body failing within the transmission. Dealership mentioned it shouldn’t happen in a vehicles lifetime, this includes maintenance at the right interval (60,000 miles), which mine was”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624425
“The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes Benz E Class. The contact stated that while driving stopped at a residential gate, the gear was shifted and skipped from g1 to g3., shifting itself to neutral. In another incident, when at a stop light or stop sign, the vehicle stalled”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11738071

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 17, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 17, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Service A — Oil & Filter + Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months: oil and filter with MB-Approved oil, fluid top-offs, tire check, and inspection. AMG models driven hard: many owners service at 5,000-7,500 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Service B — Major Inspection

Every 20,000 mi

Every 20,000 miles or 2 years, alternating with Service A: everything in A plus brake-fluid replacement, cabin filter, and a deeper multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and driveline.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate at every Service A where the tire sizes allow. Many AMG and 4MATIC+ models run staggered widths that can't rotate front-to-rear — check your spec before paying for a rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Checked at every A/B service via electronic pad-wear sensors. Replace sensors with pads. Heavy EQS models wear pads slowly (regen braking) but rotors can corrode from disuse — an inspection catches that.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced every 2 years as part of Service B — Mercedes schedules it on time, not miles, because DOT 4 fluid absorbs moisture regardless of driving.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (7G / 9G-Tronic)

Every 70,000 mi

Mercedes specifies fluid and filter service around 70,000 miles on most 7G- and 9G-Tronic gearboxes — check your year's sheet. Use only the MB-spec fluid for your transmission code; independent specialists often service at 60,000 on hard-driven cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Most modern MB gas engines: plugs around 60,000 miles — AMG engines often sooner. Check your engine's sheet; twin-turbo V8 plug jobs are labor-heavy, so pair with other scheduled work.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace around every 40,000 miles (twin-filter setups on V6/V8 engines double the parts bill). Inspected at every Service B.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Combination / Dust Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replaced with every Service B. Models with the ENERGIZING air package use a higher-grade filter — priced accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

MB-spec coolant is long-life (typically ~10 years / 150,000 miles on the sheet). Refresh only with MB 325/326-spec coolant — the wrong chemistry attacks aluminum and head gaskets.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

12V & Auxiliary Battery

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Most modern Mercedes carry a second auxiliary battery; a weak one triggers cascading warning messages long before a no-start. EQ models also depend on the 12V system to boot.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

13 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Mercedes Benz E Class reflects Mercedes-Benz's published service intervals and the ASSYST Plus (Service A / Service B) system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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