2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 66 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 66 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 11 complaints, typically surfacing around 14,308 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 E-Class | 57 | 0 |
| 2016 E-Class | 89 | 0 |
| 2017 E-Class | 165 | 0 |
| 2018 E-Class (this page) | 66 | 0 |
| 2019 E-Class | 54 | 0 |
| 2020 E-Class | 20 | 0 |
| 2021 E-Class | 19 | 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 8.0/10 — 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.
Buying a used 2018 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
- electrical — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 14,308 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 13,750 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- steering — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 40,000 mi · ~$700 to fix
- powertrain — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 133,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 13,750 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: 8.0/10 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 2018 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
The back-up camera failed while in the middle of reversing. Screen went completely black and unresponsive. Putting the car in Park then back to Reverse didn't work, screen still black. Tried turning off the car and turning it back on, screen still black and no back-up camera…
Mercedes Benz use low quality PCV regulator valve , it is a common failure problem, warranty will not be covered, Benz sells part replacement for around 350 USD and it require about 2000 in labor to be fixed on average
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the message "Inoperable Headlight" was displayed, and the passenger's side headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to dealer…
1) Car pushed forward while parking @ 3-4 miles/per hour Car was totaled 2) Air bags did not deploy 3) Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by dealer 4) Component was not confirmed by manufacturer. Police was present, reported to Insurance 5) While crashing through a…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2018 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 8.0/10 — 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 11 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 14,308 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 66 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 14,308 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 11 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 14,308 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 14,308 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 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 66 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.