2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 20 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 20 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is body at 3 complaints (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 E-Class | 165 | 0 |
| 2018 E-Class | 66 | 0 |
| 2019 E-Class | 54 | 0 |
| 2020 E-Class (this page) | 20 | 0 |
| 2021 E-Class | 19 | 0 |
| 2022 E-Class | 20 | 0 |
| 2023 E-Class | 23 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — 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 2020 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
- body — 3 owner reports · ~$1,500 to fix
- engine — 3 owner reports · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged severe on this model . 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: 8.6/10 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 2020 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 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The door hinges are defective. When the door is opened, it closes too quickly. The detents do not work. They do not hold the door ajar. This is a long, heavy door and when it slams shut on your leg, ankle or foot it really hurts! The only way to get out of the vehicle safely is…
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while his wife was driving and stopped at a traffic signal, the gasoline saving START/STOP feature turned off the vehicle however, upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact…
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, she heard a loud abnormal sound emit from the vehicle as glass shattered from the vehicle's panoramic sunroof. The contact immediately pulled over as she, her husband, and her dog…
Please see attached pdf. It concerns the trunk opening and closing mechanism which is supposed to signal when something is in the way before it closes. The trunk closed without warning on my head. Mercedes refuses to disconnect the trunk latch feature because I will not sign a…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2020 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 8.6/10 — 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 20 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 3 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 20 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, 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.