Battery being drained, the car does not start, water inside the vehicle on the floor at the drivers side
2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 E-Class | 12 |
| 2014 E-Class | 35 |
| 2015 E-Class | 4 |
| 2016 E-Class | 8 |
| 2017 E-Class (this page) | 22 |
| 2018 E-Class | 11 |
| 2019 E-Class | 9 |
| 2021 E-Class | 7 |
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 22 electrical complaints filed for the 2017 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
Among the 18 model years of Mercedes-Benz E-Class in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class electrical complaints span multiple critical systems. Instrument cluster failures are particularly concerning—owners report the entire display going blank while driving, blocking visibility of speed, fuel level, and warning lights. Some dealers could not diagnose the issue; one owner noted a recall (17V245000) existed but their VIN wasn't covered.
Brake-related shutdowns appear in multiple narratives. One owner experienced the vehicle shut off at 71 mph on the highway with brakes screeching; another reported engine shutdown with "Brake Assist Disengaged" message at a traffic light. A third noted Distronic brake malfunction causing engine shutdown and loss of acceleration during highway rush hour—a dealer attributed this to a software glitch.
Most alarming is an owner whose vehicle caught fire after three separate towing incidents for start/stop failures. Another reported complete loss of electrical power while driving, with the fuel system apparently shorting out and causing immediate loss of steering and control.
Additional electrical complaints include fuel smell in the cabin (especially in cold weather), CarPlay speedometer and GPS errors, non-functional rear radar, motorized trunk closing forcefully on an owner (causing injury), fuel filler door latch failures, and radio changing stations independently. Battery drain with water intrusion was also reported. Several owners state dealers either could not repair the issues or declined to cover known recalls.
Same Mercedes-Benz E-Class electrical reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Instrument Cluster Blank/Failure
Dashboard display goes completely blank while driving, rendering speed, odometer, fuel gauge, and warning indicators invisible. May flash on and off before going dark permanently. Owners report this is extremely dangerous as they cannot monitor vehicle status.
When: 70,000 miles noted in one report; timing varies, some while driving
Symptoms owners cite: entire instrument cluster screen goes blank; cluster blank during startup and driving; display will not show speed, odometer, fuel gauge, or indicators
Codes mentioned: 17V245000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer could not diagnose or repair the issue; another noted recall 17V245000 exists but VIN was not covered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V245000 (Electrical System); parts availability issues reported for some recall repairs (campaign 21V058000)
Dashboard Service History Recording Malfunction
Service visits performed at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships fail to record in the dashboard system. Issue persists despite multiple dealer attempts to resolve it, compromising warranty tracking and vehicle resale documentation.
When: Recurring over multiple service visits
Symptoms owners cite: dashboard service history fails to record service visits; issue persists without resolution despite multiple visits
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple service center attempts have failed to resolve the issue
Brake System Malfunction and Engine Shutdown
Multiple owners report the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while driving, often accompanied by brake-related warning messages. One owner experienced brakes screeching and vehicle shaking before shutdown at 71 mph; another saw 'Brake Assist Disengaged' message before shutdown at a traffic light. A third reported Distronic brake system malfunction alert with engine shutdown on the highway.
When: Mileage unknown for most; one instance at 71 mph highway speed, another at traffic light
Symptoms owners cite: brakes screeched and vehicle shook then shut off; Active Brake Assist indicator illuminated; vehicle shut itself off with 'Brake Assist Disengaged' message; Distronic brake system malfunction alert caused check engine light and engine shutdown; no acceleration possible after restart
Codes mentioned: 17V076000, 17V114000
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated no remedy available for brake failure in one case; another dealer attributed Distronic issue to software glitch requiring update
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 17V076000 (Air Bags) and 17V114000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); technician stated parts not available per VIN tool
Sudden Loss of Power and Engine Shutdown
Vehicle loses all electrical power and engine control while operating. Owner reported entire fuel system appeared to short out while driving, causing immediate loss of power, power steering, and control. Another case involved vehicle catching fire after repeated start/stop failures requiring three towing incidents.
When: While driving normally; fire incident occurred after service
Symptoms owners cite: car died at once while driving; loss of all power steering and control; auto start not working properly, car would just stop and could not turn back on; vehicle caught fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle sent to dealership 3 times for auto start issues before catching fire; fire investigation pending from dealership
Fuel System Issues
Owners report strong fuel smell inside cabin and gasoline fumes, particularly in cold weather mornings. One owner noted smell of gas from fuel line. These complaints suggest potential fuel system leaks or ventilation issues.
When: Cold weather mornings in NJ; noted as soon as car is started
Symptoms owners cite: strong fuel smell inside cabin; lots of fumes that smell like gasoline; smell of gas coming from fuel line
CarPlay Speedometer and GPS Inaccuracy
CarPlay displays vehicle speed incorrectly (reportedly 1.6 times higher than actual speed, suggesting metric/imperial unit confusion) and GPS location drifts ahead of actual position, causing navigation timing issues for turns and exits. Owner notes these issues are correlated—when speed corrects, GPS drift disappears. Issue reported as common on 2017 E300 via Mercedes forums.
When: Occurs when using Map apps through CarPlay
Symptoms owners cite: CarPlay speedometer does not match vehicle speedometer; GPS location shown ahead of actual position; navigation directions mistimed for turns and exits; issues confusing and potentially unsafe while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Tested other navigation apps on CarPlay; all exhibit same behavior
Fuel Filler Door Malfunction
Fuel filler door either will not stay closed after opening (requires 10+ closure attempts) or will not open when vehicle is unlocked. Sporadic behavior suggests electrical latch failure.
When: Recurring issues after purchase in January 2020
Symptoms owners cite: fuel filler door would not stay closed, pops back open repeatedly; fuel filler door would not open when vehicle was unlocked
Motorized Trunk Lid Malfunction
Trunk lid spontaneously closes with force while owner was loading groceries, causing injury (cutting face). Vehicle was parked with engine off. Also reported: trunk soft-close not working, leaving trunk slightly open creating potential water ingress and electrical component exposure.
When: While parked in parking lot with engine off; another case of gap during normal use
Symptoms owners cite: trunk spontaneously and forcefully closed on owner's head; trunk will not close completely; significant gap in trunk due to soft close not working; trunk slightly open
Repairs/costs cited: Soft close pull-down function not working
Adaptive High Beam Camera Malfunction
Adaptive high beam system provides error message indicating camera is blocked and refuses to activate. Upon investigation, dealer found installation trim left inside camera during manufacturing, preventing proper installation.
When: Upon initial activation of high beam
Symptoms owners cite: adaptive high beam would not work; error message that camera was blocked; trim from installation left in camera
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer removed installation trim from camera; safety concern noted regarding blocking of multifunction camera and driver aids
Transmission/Drivetrain Failure
Vehicle not accelerating when shifted into drive or reverse; error message states 'Reversing not possible—service required.' Owner reports known recall exists (17V078000) but Mercedes states vehicle VIN is not covered despite experiencing identical issue.
When: Sudden onset while driving
Symptoms owners cite: car not accelerating when shift into drive or reverse; error message 'reversing not possible-service required'
Codes mentioned: 17V078000
Repairs/costs cited: Mercedes claims VIN-specific coverage exclusion despite matching symptoms
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V078000 exists but manufacturer claiming VIN not covered
Rear Radar System Failure
Rear radar system not operational, providing no warning of pedestrians or vehicles. Owner reports no detectable warning noise. Dealer suggested drilling holes as potential workaround but owner views this as system avoidance rather than repair.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: rear radar not working; no warning of pedestrians or vehicles; no detectable noise to warn operator; nearly struck several times
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer suggested drilling holes; owner concerns about legitimacy of this approach
Battery Drain
Battery drains, preventing vehicle start. Water found inside vehicle on driver-side floor, suggesting potential electrical short or water intrusion.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: battery being drained; car does not start; water inside vehicle on floor at driver's side
Radio Malfunction
Radio changes stations on its own without user input.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: radio changes stations on its own
Garage Door Opening Function Failure
Garage door opener function stops working immediately when ignition is turned off. Owner identifies this as an electrical issue.
When: Upon ignition shutoff
Symptoms owners cite: garage door opening function does not work as soon as ignition is turned off
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I stopped for a red light, I saw a pop up on the dashboard that read 'brake assist disengaged'. At that point the car shut itself off. I tried to restart with no success, it wouldn't even try to turn over. After sitting in traffic for about three minutes unable to restart the car, I just kept hitting the start / stop button and it finally turned over and started. I reported this incident to the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2017 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 electrical problem on the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 22 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 26,643 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.
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/2017/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.