My collision prevention made my 2016 Mercedes benz e400 slam on the breaks with no cars around other then the car parked to the side of the road and the cars behind me.
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class electrical problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
When does it fail?
Of the 8 electrical complaints filed for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
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.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I was driving on North Shepherd Drive in Houston, TX, at a speed of approximately 35 MPH. While I was lightly braking to slow down for an upcoming intersection where I wished to turn, the car flashed 2 error lights--Frontal Collision Avoidance System Inoperable, and Traction Control System Inoperable. At that moment, the car began to accelerate out of my control. It began to accelerate at a…
Q1: Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. The instrument cluster showed some messages* randomly appearing/beeping on and off but there were other issues present: • Acceleration not possible in drive • At one point transmission would not shift from gear 3 • *Speedometer would go up and down randomly until it eventually stayed at 0 physically and digitally as I was going 55-60 MPH •…
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 73,292 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.