Engine misfires, lower engine power, and a lit check engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Mercedes-Benz issued an Emission Service Campaign (No. 2021070006, internal code 21P1590208) to replace out-of-spec ignition coils on 657 vehicles from model year 2021, including the E-Class. My VIN was not included in the recall campaign but my vehicle is experiencing these exact symptoms as referenced in the…
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 E-Class | 15 |
| 2018 E-Class | 6 |
| 2019 E-Class | 4 |
| 2021 E-Class (this page) | 3 |
| 2023 E-Class | 4 |
What stands out
Of the 15 model years of Mercedes-Benz E-Class we track for powertrain problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
Owners are still filing on this — the most recent NHTSA powertrain complaint for this vehicle was logged 35 days ago.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The Mercedes E350, with 22,000 miles suffered a catastrophic transmission failure while driving on the highway. I managed to exit the highway but the car could not be moved and left me stranded.
With the car only have about 15,000 miles the transmission has failed . I have seen there have been recalls of other models with similar complaints of transmission failure .
Had powertrain trouble with your 2021 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 powertrain problem on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2021/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.