Foot on brake to effect reverse and the engine accelerated at high speed uncontrolled and hit two cars in reverse and totally destroyed my car.. The vehicle was stopped in a parking lot
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 E-Class | 8 |
| 2011 E-Class | 9 |
| 2012 E-Class | 11 |
| 2013 E-Class | 11 |
| 2014 E-Class (this page) | 11 |
| 2015 E-Class | 4 |
| 2016 E-Class | 5 |
| 2017 E-Class | 31 |
| 2018 E-Class | 7 |
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a spectrum of engine troubles in the 2014 E-Class, some routine and some genuinely alarming. The most serious allegation is an engine explosion while parked overnight at a service facility, with the intake manifold blown open after the owner had recently switched to E85 fuel and the car showed check-engine light and rough idle. The authorized dealer offered only manifold replacement without investigating the cause.
Other owners cite camshaft adjuster failures happening at surprisingly low mileage despite meticulous maintenance and genuine parts—expensive repairs with no manufacturer assistance. Oil seepage from the engine cover and rear main seal leaks appear in multiple complaints; one owner alleges Mercedes is deliberately avoiding repairs on gasoline models while fixing diesel units, citing fire risk if left unresolved.
Cold-start rattle at timing chain or lifters is reported as common and supposedly "normal operation" per independent mechanics. More worrying are electrical gremlins causing sudden power loss and limp mode, with ESP and ABS warnings, that dealers addressed briefly but failed to fix permanently. One owner describes high-temperature emission fumes entering the cabin due to a missing bolt, scorching the engine bay and melting wiring. Fuel injection misfires, camshaft sensor oil contamination in the ECU harness, and a reported uncontrolled acceleration incident round out the complaints.
Same Mercedes-Benz E-Class engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Engine explosion / intake manifold rupture
Engine exploded while parked overnight at service facility, blowing open the intake manifold. Owner had recently switched to E85 fuel (vehicle was spec'd for it). Preceding symptoms were check engine light and rough idle. Shop replaced spark plugs and ignition coils without resolving the rough idle before the explosion occurred.
When: June 21, 2022, parked overnight at shop; check engine light and rough idle present prior
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light; rough idle; engine explosion; intake manifold blown open
Repairs/costs cited: Mercedes dealer quoted $1,200 for intake manifold replacement; owner declined. No root cause diagnosis performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes USA did not respond to owner's complaint; Fletcher Jones Mercedes offered replacement parts only.
Camshaft adjuster failure
Camshaft adjuster failure causing expensive repairs and potential for severe engine damage if unresolved. Owner reports this is a systemic issue affecting many 2014 E-Class owners at relatively low mileage with little warning. Symptoms began subtly with strange noises, hesitation, and inconsistent performance despite meticulous maintenance and regular service with genuine parts.
When: Low mileage; exact mileage not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: strange noises from engine; hesitation during start-up; inconsistent engine performance
Repairs/costs cited: Owner cites this as an expensive repair but does not provide specific cost or parts replaced.
Timing chain / valve lifter rattle on cold start
Abnormal rattling sound from engine lasting approximately 3 seconds on first start when vehicle is parked and occupied. Independent mechanic confirmed this is a common issue and that the vehicle operates as designed. Rattle dissipates after engine warms to operating temperature. No issues while driving.
When: At 140,000 miles; occurs only on cold start
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal rattling sound on first start (3 seconds); sound disappears after warm-up
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; independent mechanic stated this is normal operation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised owner to report to NHTSA.
Oil seepage from engine cover and drive belt contamination
Oil seepage from engine cover that contaminated drive belts, requiring replacement of engine cover, belt, and tensioner. Oil seepage was first noted in 2019 at 36,000 miles but was not repaired or diagnosed at that time. By November 2020 at 40,000 miles, the problem had escalated enough to warrant $3,000+ in repairs. Dealership provided no explanation for why such significant failures occurred in a low-mileage vehicle (5 years old, under 37,000 miles at first report).
When: First noted at 36,000 miles in 2019; repairs performed at 40,000 miles in November 2020
Symptoms owners cite: oil seepage from engine cover; contaminated drive belts
Repairs/costs cited: Engine cover, belt, and tensioner replacement cost $3,000+
Rear main seal leak
Rear main seal leaking, requiring engine removal to repair. Owner alleges this is a safety issue that could cause fire. Owner states Mercedes dealership has agreed to repair this for diesel E-Class owners but not gasoline owners, claiming less than 3% of cars are diesel. Owner believes this is deliberate avoidance of repairs on gasoline models and gross negligence given the fire hazard.
When: Unknown mileage; occurred during vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: rear main seal leak
Repairs/costs cited: Requires engine removal to repair (owner does not provide cost)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes has repaired this for diesel 2014 E-Class owners before warranty expiration but not gasoline models, per owner's allegation.
Power loss and limp mode with warning lights
Vehicle loses power and has very limited acceleration while displaying 'PRE SAFE FUNCTIONS LIMITED, INOPERATIVE' message. ESP and ABS warning lights illuminate simultaneously. Has occurred twice, once at 45 mph on city road and once at 55 mph on highway. Restarting the car eliminates the problem temporarily. Dealer adjusted computer after first incident, but same failure occurred 4 days later. Owner states this is a life-threatening emergency if it occurs at speed without ability to pull over safely.
When: Two incidents; second occurred 4 days after dealer computer adjustment
Symptoms owners cite: power loss during driving; very limited acceleration; warning message 'PRE SAFE FUNCTIONS LIMITED, INOPERATIVE'; ESP warning light; ABS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer adjusted computer; issue recurred; no permanent fix documented
Missing emissions routing bolt causing engine compartment damage
A bolt holding emissions portions that route emission fumes out of the vehicle was missing. This allowed high-temperature emission fumes to enter the engine compartment and passenger compartment, causing severe damage: burned insulation, melted electrical wiring and components, and damage to the firewall. All required replacement.
When: Discovered at 84,579 miles
Symptoms owners cite: high temperature emission fumes in engine compartment; high temperature emission fumes in passenger compartment; burned insulation; melted electrical wiring and components; firewall damage
Repairs/costs cited: Engine compartment damage, burned insulation, melted electrical wiring and components, and firewall all required replacement (cost not specified)
Fuel injection misfires (Cylinder 5)
Fuel injection issues with faulty injectors causing misfires, often on Cylinder 5. Owner also mentions a recalled fuel feed line as a potential cause. Symptoms include rough idling, reduced fuel economy, stalling, and check engine lights.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: rough idling; reduced gas mileage; stalling; check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fuel feed line has been subject to recall
Camshaft position sensor oil leakage into ECU wiring harness
Camshaft position sensors leaking oil that has wicked into the engine wiring harness and ECU. Owner characterizes this as a common safety issue and requests a recall, noting that oil contamination within the electrical system can lead to additional safety concerns.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: oil leakage from camshaft position sensors; oil contamination in engine wiring harness; oil contamination in ECU
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified by owner
Uncontrolled acceleration in reverse
Vehicle accelerated at high speed uncontrolled in reverse while parked in a parking lot when driver applied foot to brake to effect reverse. Vehicle hit two other cars and was totally destroyed.
When: Unknown mileage; occurred in parking lot
Symptoms owners cite: uncontrolled high-speed acceleration in reverse
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled
Engine and turbo destruction from oil starvation
Customer ran car out of oil, destroying the engine and turbochargers. Total repair cost $25,000.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: engine destruction; turbocharger destruction
Repairs/costs cited: Engine and turbo replacement; total cost $25,000
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Driving the car at 45 MPH and the display messages come on that stated, "pre safe functions limited, inoperative" in addition, the esp and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle loses power and has very limited acceleration. It has occurred twice, once on city road and once on highway at 55 MPH. Shutting and restarting the car eliminates the problem for the time being. If this happens again…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 60,187 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.