MERCEDES-BENZ E 450 · model year

2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E 450

8 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021MERCEDES-BENZE 450 carries 8 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 E 450 is electrical system with 2 filings, followed by engine (2) and unknown or other (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2021 E 450. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

8
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

8 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ENGINE2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
WHEELS1

Recalls (5)

22V36500020/05/2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2022 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, AMG GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, GLB-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model de

21V35400014/05/2021

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe and Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, CLS-Class, and AMG GT-Class 4-door Coupe vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The MBUX m

21V52700012/07/2021

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:SIDE IMPACT

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021 CLS450, AMG E53, AMG CLS53, E350, E450, AMG GT43, AMG GT53, 2020 S450, S560, G550, AMG GLC63, 2020-2021 GLC300, and AMG G63 vehicles. The side crash sensor connectors may come loose, which could delay the activation of air bags and seatbelts

22V23200008/04/2022

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 CLA-Class, GLE/GLS-Class, A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Convertible, GLA/GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and CLS-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The rearview camera may not disp

21V05800005/02/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle mod

Recent Complaints

20220623WHEELS

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.

20220323UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Mercedes Benz issued a recall (Manufacturer Recall Number 2021060021; NHTSA Recall Number 21V354) in May 2021. The recall affects my vehicle's MBUX multimedia system, most importantly, the backup camera, which may fail while in use if this issue is not remedied. I was advised of the recall by them in July 2021. To date they have failed to remedy this safety recall. I have contacted Mercedes Benz several times (most recently on 03/21/2022) and they are unable or unwilling to provide a date when this safety issue will be remedied.

20211229UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that the vehicle speed control was always inadvertently activated, which caused the vehicle to decelerate automatically. The failure nearly caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would call back. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

Mileage: 1,000

20211126ENGINE

The 48 volt battery on this mild hybrid vehicle failed and the car was unable to be started on May 3, 2021, with 196 miles on the odometer, a mere 15 days after delivery. It had to be taken by flatbed to the dealer where ultimately the 48 volt battery was replaced. Then again on June 5, 2021, the car was again unable to be started, with a mere 735 miles on the odometer. Again, the car had to be taken by flatbed to the dealer, where ultimately the 48 volt battery was replaced a second time. While both failures, fortunately, happened while the vehicle was at home, the could have happened on the highway, in the middle of nowhere in bad weather conditions, or anywhere. I have had to cancel a cross-country drive for fear that, once again, the 48 volt battery will fail, leaving us stranded anywhere or, worse yet, in the middle of a highway.

20210803ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

48Volt battery failed after three months and just 3,400 miles. I understand this is a recurring problem with Mercedes. Car had to be towed as the vehicle was totally inoperable due to battery malfunction. It took more than three weeks for Mercedes to provide a replacement battery. From what I have read, there is a strong likelihood that the battery will fail again.

20210421ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 12/12/2021 AND TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE CAR HAD WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD "COOLANT TOO HOT, STOP THE VEHICLE" ON THE HIGHWAY -NJ TUNPIKE. IT STARTED SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN TO BELOW 20MPH, NEARLY KILLED ME WHILE I TRIED TO PULL IT OVER. THEN THE DEALER SERVICE SAID IT HAD DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. THEN LAST WEEK 4/13/21 - 4 MONTH,ABOUT 2800 MILEGE ON IT, IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL., JUMP START DIDN'T EVEN WORK. SO I WAS STRANDED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. IT GOT TOWED AND THEY SAID IT HAD DEFECTIVE BATTERY. SO HOW MANY DEFECTIVE PARTS THIS CAR HAS. IT WILL KEEP BREAKING DOWN AND THREATEN MY LIFE ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE I COMMUTE EVERY DAY IN THE NIGHT TIME. THEY SHOULD TAKE THIS CAR BACK AND REPLACE BUT THE DEALER REFUSED BECAUSE IT HAD PROBLEMS ON DIFFERENT PARTS AND FIXED. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS PIECE OF JUNK AND A RISK TO NOT ONLY MY LIFE BUT ALSO O THER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT DOES THINGS ON ITS OWN WAY, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AT ALL.

Mileage: 2,800

20210421ENGINE

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON 12/12/2021 AND TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE CAR HAD WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD "COOLANT TOO HOT, STOP THE VEHICLE" ON THE HIGHWAY -NJ TUNPIKE. IT STARTED SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN TO BELOW 20MPH, NEARLY KILLED ME WHILE I TRIED TO PULL IT OVER. THEN THE DEALER SERVICE SAID IT HAD DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. THEN LAST WEEK 4/13/21 - 4 MONTH,ABOUT 2800 MILEGE ON IT, IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL., JUMP START DIDN'T EVEN WORK. SO I WAS STRANDED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. IT GOT TOWED AND THEY SAID IT HAD DEFECTIVE BATTERY. SO HOW MANY DEFECTIVE PARTS THIS CAR HAS. IT WILL KEEP BREAKING DOWN AND THREATEN MY LIFE ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE I COMMUTE EVERY DAY IN THE NIGHT TIME. THEY SHOULD TAKE THIS CAR BACK AND REPLACE BUT THE DEALER REFUSED BECAUSE IT HAD PROBLEMS ON DIFFERENT PARTS AND FIXED. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS PIECE OF JUNK AND A RISK TO NOT ONLY MY LIFE BUT ALSO O THER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT DOES THINGS ON ITS OWN WAY, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AT ALL.

Mileage: 2,800

20210407ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CRASHED. AFTER THE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF FRESNO (7055 N PALM AVE, FRESNO, CA 93650, (559) 438-0300) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSTIC RESULT INDICATED THAT THE 48 VOLT BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AWAITING REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 743.*DT

Mileage: 743

Compare 2021MERCEDES-BENZE 450 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E 450 have?
The 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E 450 has 8 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E 450?
Yes, the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E 450 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E 450?
The most-complained component for the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E 450 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ E 450 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.