2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 89 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 89 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 28 complaints, typically surfacing around 20,550 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 E-Class | 185 | 0 |
| 2014 E-Class | 302 | 0 |
| 2015 E-Class | 57 | 0 |
| 2016 E-Class (this page) | 89 | 0 |
| 2017 E-Class | 165 | 0 |
| 2018 E-Class | 66 | 0 |
| 2019 E-Class | 54 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS SW RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 28 owner reports · tends to show around 20,550 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 29,127 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 73,292 mi · ~$850 to fix
- visibility — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 58,250 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 20,550 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
A letter from the manufacturer (Mercedes-benz usa) was received 2/5/19, advising of a recall concerning the passenger-side airbag module for my 2016 e400 coupe (mbusa recall #2019010001). As of 12/19/19, the manufacturer still has not made the necessary remedy available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mercedes benz e350. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the collision assist inoperative warning indicator displayed on the instrument panel and the cruise control warning indicator illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle did…
Takata recall - I received a notice that my airbag operation is potentially defective. A solution has apparently been identified (grounding the steering wheel?) but it is not yet available. To be clear, I have not had my airbag deploy, I just have not had the issue addressed.
Car shown intermittent problem of not accelerating when gas pedal is pushed. It will give many jerky movements but then after few minutes driving like this it will normalize. I took it twice to dealer and they could not identify or replicate problems. Then my wife taking kids…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 28 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 20,550 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 89 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 20,550 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 28 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 20,550 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 20,550 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz E-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 89 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.