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Mercedes-Benz E 450Model year report

2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
1,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
14campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid 4WD · 23 city / 29 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine (2) and other or unknown (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 1,000 miles. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns and 239 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns and 108 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “48Volt battery failed after three months and just 3,400 miles. I understand this is a recurring problem with Mercedes. Car had to be towed as the vehicle was totally inoperable due to battery malfunction. It took more than three weeks for Mercedes to provide a replacement battery. From what I have read, there is a strong likelihood that the battery will fail again.”

NHTSA complaint #11427592, filed 2021-08

Engine: “The 48 volt battery on this mild hybrid vehicle failed and the car was unable to be started on May 3, 2021, with 196 miles on the odometer, a mere 15 days after delivery. It had to be taken by flatbed to the dealer where ultimately the 48 volt battery was replaced. Then again on June 5, 2021, the car was again unable to be started, with a mere 735 miles on the odometer. Again, the car had to be taken by flatbed to the dealer, where ultimately the 48 volt battery was replaced a second time. …”

NHTSA complaint #11441712, filed 2021-11

Other or unknown: “The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that the vehicle speed control was always inadvertently activated, which caused the vehicle to decelerate automatically. The failure nearly caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would call back. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11445405, filed 2021-12, 1,000 miles

Wheels: “After the car sits for three or more days, brakes locks up. It takes lots of power to get the brakes to release. It’s a safety concern as the car is parked in the garage with not enough room to maneuver. We never had any car which locks the brakes in this manner. Took it to MB dealer and they say it’s the way brakes are designed. A complete nonsense.”

NHTSA complaint #11470644, filed 2022-06

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 743 and 2,800 miles.

100%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 1,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

202152022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
E-Class · wagon 4WD★★★★★4 / 5555 · 9.7% risk
E-Class · sedan 4WD★★★★★4 / 5555 · 9.7% risk
E-Class · sedan RWD★★★★★4 / 5555 · 9.7% risk
E-Class · wagon RWD★★★★★4 / 5555 · 9.7% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E450 4matic 4WD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid9-speed automatic233026$3,150
E450 4matic All-Terrain (wagon) 4WD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid9-speed automatic222824$3,400
E450 4matic Convertible 4WD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid9-speed automatic232925$3,300
E450 4matic Coupe 4WD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid9-speed automatic233025$3,300
E450 Convertible RWD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid9-speed automatic233025$3,300
E450 Coupe RWD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid9-speed automatic233126$3,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 14 recalls for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 239 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 239 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz E 450

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023176004525—Too new
2022114005525—Not enough data
202171,00014525—Not enough data
2020941,0007523—Not enough data
2019177,20012523—Rising

All Mercedes-Benz E 450 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine with 2.

Has the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 (E450 4matic Convertible, 3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 450 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 1,000 miles and the middle half falls between 743 and 2,800 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.