2003-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Problems: 12 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2003-2024 model years · 12,500+ owner reports · Updated April 2026

According to Au7o's analysis of 12,500+ owner reports, the 2003-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 12 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are M272 Balance Shaft Gear Wear ($2,000-$5,000 repair), 7G-Tronic Conductor Plate Failure ($500-$1,500 repair), Air Suspension Failure (W212) ($800-$3,000 repair), OM642 Diesel Oil Cooler Leak ($800-$2,500 repair), Front Brake Hose May Rupture or Leak, Reducing Braking Performance ($0-$600 repair), 48V Integrated Starter-Generator / DC-DC Converter Failure Causing Sudden Power Loss and No-Restart ($1,200-$4,500 repair), Fuel Pump Delivery Module Failure Leading to Extended Crank, Stalling, or No-Start ($900-$1,800 repair) and Panoramic Sunroof Glass Bonding Defect Can Cause Panel Separation or Fly-Off ($0-$2,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is M272 Balance Shaft Gear Wear with 2,600 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $0 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at .

All 12 Known Issues

When Issues Typically Appear

Front Brake Hose May Rupture or Leak, Reducing Braking Performance

0K-60K

Panoramic Sunroof Glass Bonding Defect Can Cause Panel Separation or Fly-Off

0K-50K

MBUX / Instrument Cluster Black Screen, Rebooting, and Rear Camera Inoperative Due to Infotainment Software Faults

1K-40K

48V Integrated Starter-Generator / DC-DC Converter Failure Causing Sudden Power Loss and No-Restart

5K-50K

Fuel Pump Delivery Module Failure Leading to Extended Crank, Stalling, or No-Start

10K-70K

M272 Balance Shaft Gear Wear

40K-90K

Turbo Oil Line Leak (M274)

40K-90K

COMAND Infotainment System Freeze

40K-100K

7G-Tronic Conductor Plate Failure

60K-130K

Air Suspension Failure (W212)

60K-120K

OM642 Diesel Oil Cooler Leak

60K-120K

Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure

60K-120K

038K75K113K150K mi

Community Reported

2,600 owners

On the 2005-2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 3.5L M272 V6, the M272 3.5L V6 has a defective balance shaft gear that wears prematurely due to a soft sprocket material used in early production. When the gear teeth strip, the balance shaft stops functioning, causing severe engine vibration and potential timing chain skip.

This issue also affects: Citroën C3, Citroën DS3, Hyundai Santa Fe

Common Symptoms

Severe engine vibration at idle
Check engine light with timing codes

How to Fix

Replace the balance shaft assembly and idler gear with the updated hardened-steel version. Mercedes extended warranty coverage for some VINs. Requires significant engine disassembly — 15-20 hours labor.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 2,600+ owners who fixed this issue

NoteCheck the engine serial number — M272 engines built before June 2008 used the defective soft gear. Later production engines have the updated hardened gear.

Typical repair cost:$2,000 - $5,000

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2,600+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence2,600 reportsLast reported by owners May 2025Reviewed Mar 2026

Community Reported

1,700 owners

On the 2007-2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the OM642 3.0L V6 diesel engine oil cooler seals fail, causing engine oil to leak into the coolant or vice versa. The oil cooler is sandwiched between the engine block and the intake manifold, making access difficult.

Common Symptoms

Milky substance on oil cap or dipstick
Coolant level dropping with no visible leak

How to Fix

Replace the oil cooler seals and gaskets. Requires intake manifold removal for access. Flush both the oil and cooling systems thoroughly after repair to remove cross-contamination.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 1,700+ owners who fixed this issue

NoteDo not drive with oil/coolant mixing. Even brief contamination can destroy bearings and overheat the engine. Tow the vehicle to a shop if you see milky oil.

Typical repair cost:$800 - $2,500

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1,700+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence1,700 reportsLast reported by owners Mar 2025Reviewed Mar 2026

Community Reported

1,300 owners

On the 2010-2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the crankshaft position sensor fails due to heat exposure and oil contamination, causing intermittent stalling, no-start conditions, and rough running. The sensor is mounted near the flywheel and exposed to high temperatures.

This issue also affects: BMW X2, GMC Envoy, Honda Passport

Common Symptoms

Intermittent stalling while driving
Engine cranks but will not start

How to Fix

Replace the crankshaft position sensor. A straightforward repair — the sensor is accessible from under the vehicle near the transmission bellhousing. Use OEM or Bosch sensor for reliability.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 1,300+ owners who fixed this issue

UpgradeBosch 0261210302 crankshaft position sensor — Bosch is the OEM supplier for Mercedes. Avoid cheap no-name sensors that fail within months. (Bosch Crankshaft Position Sensor)
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Typical repair cost:$100 - $350

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1,300+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence1,300 reportsLast reported by owners Aug 2025Reviewed Mar 2026

Community Reported

800 owners

On the 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the turbo oil feed and return lines on the M274 2.0L turbo engine develop leaks at the banjo bolt fittings and gaskets. Oil drips onto the exhaust manifold, creating smoke and a burning oil smell.

This issue also affects: Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Common Symptoms

Burning oil smell from engine bay
Visible smoke from turbo area after driving

How to Fix

Replace the turbo oil feed line and crush washers. Tighten to the correct torque specification. Clean oil residue from the exhaust to eliminate the burning smell.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 800+ owners who fixed this issue

TipAlways use new copper crush washers when retightening banjo bolts. Reusing old washers is the #1 cause of repeat leaks.

Typical repair cost:$200 - $800

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800+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

Medium Confidence800 reportsLast reported by owners Oct 2025Reviewed Mar 2026

On the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 3.0L M256 inline-6 turbo mild hybrid, multiple owners of facelift W213 E-Class models with the M256 mild-hybrid system reported sudden warning messages, loss of charging, reduced power, stalling, or a no-start condition traced to the 48V system. Mercedes issued service communications and there are numerous owner complaints describing failure of the integrated starter-generator or associated DC-DC converter/48V battery support hardware. When the 48V system drops offline, the vehicle may illuminate multiple warnings and can become undriveable or fail to restart.

This issue also affects: Audi A6 allroad, Ford Bronco, Ford C-Max

Common Symptoms

12V battery/charging system warning
Check engine light or multiple warning lights
Vehicle will not start
Sudden loss of power or limp mode
Engine shuts off at a stop and will not restart
Rough restart behavior

How to Fix

Scan the vehicle for 48V powertrain and charging faults, verify 12V and 48V battery state, and inspect freeze-frame data for ISG/DC-DC converter shutdown events. Dealers typically update control-unit software and replace the failed DC-DC converter, integrated starter-generator, or related 48V components as needed. Battery support and proper post-repair coding/adaptation are important to prevent repeat faults.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue

TipIf buying used, check service history for prior 48V battery, ISG, or DC-DC converter replacement and ask whether the latest powertrain software campaigns were completed.
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TipOwners recommend scanning with a Mercedes-capable tool rather than a generic OBD reader because many 48V faults are stored in submodules not visible to basic scanners.
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Typical repair cost:$1,200 - $4,500

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0+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Invalid Date

On the 2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, owners of 2021+ facelift E-Class cars frequently reported MBUX display freezes, black screens, spontaneous reboots, loss of audio/navigation, and backup camera malfunctions. Mercedes has issued software-related service information for MBUX and camera behavior, and NHTSA complaints describe the center display or cluster going dark while driving. In some cases the issue also disables parking aids or leaves the rearview image unavailable when reversing.

This issue also affects: Infiniti QX60

Common Symptoms

Center screen black
Instrument cluster reboots
Backup camera unavailable
Frozen navigation or audio screen
No sound from media or phone
Parking assist warnings

How to Fix

Confirm software level of the MBUX head unit, instrument cluster, and camera control modules, then perform guided updates and fault tracing. If software does not resolve the issue, dealers may replace the display, head unit, LVDS cable, or camera module depending on stored faults and reproducibility. Low-voltage battery health should also be checked because undervoltage can trigger repeated module resets.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue

TipBefore replacing hardware, owners recommend checking for pending software updates and documenting the exact conditions when the screen fails so the dealer can reproduce it.
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TipIf the issue is intermittent, record a phone video of the black screen or camera failure; forum users say this helps dealers justify module replacement under warranty.

Typical repair cost:$250 - $2,200

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0+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Invalid Date

Community Reported

1,600 owners

On the 2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the COMAND infotainment head unit freezes, reboots randomly, or displays a black screen. The hard drive-based system is prone to disc failure and software corruption, losing navigation data and settings.

This issue also affects: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Honda CR-V

Common Symptoms

Infotainment screen goes black
System reboots randomly while driving

How to Fix

Perform a COMAND system reset by holding the power and back buttons. Update to the latest firmware via USB. If the hard drive has failed, the head unit needs replacement or refurbishment.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 1,600+ owners who fixed this issue

TipA refurbished COMAND head unit from a specialist like BeckerAutoSound costs $500-800 vs $2,000+ from the dealer. Same functionality, much lower price.

Typical repair cost:$100 - $2,000

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1,600+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

Medium Confidence1,600 reportsLast reported by owners Jun 2025Reviewed Mar 2026

Community Reported

2,400 owners

On the 2003-2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the 722.9 7G-Tronic transmission conductor plate (internal electrical board with speed sensors) fails, causing limp mode, harsh shifting, and loss of gears. The electrical connector corrodes or the sensors crack from heat cycling.

This issue also affects: Audi A4, Audi A5 Sportback, Chrysler LeBaron

Common Symptoms

Transmission goes into limp mode (stuck in one gear)
Harsh shifting between gears

How to Fix

Replace the conductor plate and both speed sensors inside the transmission. Requires dropping the transmission pan and valve body. Replace the transmission filter and fluid at the same time.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 2,400+ owners who fixed this issue

TipThe conductor plate is a $150 part and 3-hour DIY job. Many shops quote $1,500+ because they don't differentiate it from a full valve body replacement.

Typical repair cost:$500 - $1,500

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2,400+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence2,400 reportsLast reported by owners Apr 2025Reviewed Mar 2026

Community Reported

2,100 owners

On the 2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the AIRMATIC air suspension on the W212 E-Class develops leaks in the air springs (struts), causing the vehicle to sag overnight or drop on one corner. The compressor wears out from overwork trying to compensate for leaking struts.

This issue also affects: Audi A4 allroad, Audi A6 allroad, Audi S8

Common Symptoms

Vehicle sags on one corner overnight
Air compressor runs constantly

How to Fix

Replace the leaking air spring(s). If the compressor runs excessively, replace it as well along with the relay. Arnott and Bilstein make quality aftermarket air springs at lower cost than OEM.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 2,100+ owners who fixed this issue

UpgradeArnott A-2782 air spring for W212 E-Class — half the cost of OEM with excellent reliability. Includes a 2-year warranty. (Arnott AIRMATIC Air Spring W212)
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Typical repair cost:$800 - $3,000

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2,100+ owners have reported this issue

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High Confidence2,100 reportsLast reported by owners Sep 2025Reviewed Mar 2026

On the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, mercedes recalled certain 2021-2023 E-Class vehicles because front brake hoses may not meet durability specifications and can rupture or leak. Owners may notice a soft pedal, brake fluid loss, warning messages, or reduced braking force. This is a documented safety defect rather than an isolated wear item.

This issue also affects: Audi A8

Common Symptoms

Soft or sinking brake pedal
Brake fluid warning
Visible brake fluid leak near front wheel
Longer stopping distance
Brake warning light

How to Fix

Inspect both front brake hoses for seepage, cracking, or damage and verify whether the recall remedy has been completed. The fix is replacement of the affected front brake hoses with updated parts, followed by a full brake fluid bleed and confirmation of pedal feel. Any contaminated pads or rotors should also be evaluated if fluid leakage occurred.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue

TipCheck VIN recall status before purchase; many owners recommend confirming the hose replacement was actually completed rather than only marked as open/closed in a sales listing.
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TipAfter recall work, inspect for any residual fluid on the inner wheel and verify pedal feel on the first drive home.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $600

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High Confidence0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Invalid Date

On the 2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a number of late-model E-Class owners reported hard starting, long crank times, hesitation, and occasional stalling traced to low-pressure fuel supply faults, including in-tank fuel pump or delivery module issues. Mercedes service literature for related models and owner reports point to intermittent fuel pressure loss rather than a high-pressure pump problem in some cases. Symptoms can be sporadic at first and become a complete no-start as the pump weakens.

This issue also affects: Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Audi A4, Audi A8

Common Symptoms

Extended cranking
Intermittent no-start
Engine stalling
Hesitation on acceleration
Reduced power
Whining noise from fuel tank area

How to Fix

Measure low-side fuel pressure during crank and under load, compare commanded versus actual values, and inspect pump current draw and fuel pump control operation. Repair usually involves replacing the in-tank fuel pump/delivery module and sealing ring, then clearing adaptations and verifying pressure stability on a road test. If contaminated fuel is suspected, inspect the tank and filter components as well.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue

TipOwners recommend not ignoring occasional long-crank events; capturing fuel pressure data early can prevent getting stranded later.
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TipUse top-tier fuel and avoid repeatedly running the tank very low, which forum members say may accelerate pump wear from heat.

Typical repair cost:$900 - $1,800

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0+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

Medium Confidence0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Invalid Date

On the 2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, mercedes recalled certain recent E-Class vehicles because the bonding between the sliding sunroof panel and glass may be insufficient. Owners have reported loud wind noise, rattling, water leaks, or in worst cases the glass panel lifting or detaching. This is a serious body/safety issue because separated roof glass can create a road hazard.

Common Symptoms

Wind noise from roof
Rattling from sunroof area
Water leak from sunroof
Sunroof panel appears misaligned
Glass panel loosens or lifts

How to Fix

Check VIN for open recall status and inspect the panoramic roof for abnormal wind noise, uneven panel height, or visible adhesive separation. The remedy is dealer inspection and replacement of the affected sliding sunroof glass panel if necessary. Water leak testing and sunroof calibration may be performed after repair.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue

TipIf you hear new roof wind noise at highway speed, inspect the panel gap immediately and avoid opening the roof until it is checked.
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TipOwners suggest photographing panel alignment before dealer visits because intermittent lift or uneven seating can be hard to reproduce.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $2,500

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0+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Invalid Date

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 12,500+ owner reports, the 2003-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 12 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: M272 Balance Shaft Gear Wear, 7G-Tronic Conductor Plate Failure, Air Suspension Failure (W212). Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?

The 2003-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 12 known issues documented across 12,500+ owner reports. 8 issues are rated critical: M272 Balance Shaft Gear Wear and 7G-Tronic Conductor Plate Failure and Air Suspension Failure (W212) and OM642 Diesel Oil Cooler Leak and Front Brake Hose May Rupture or Leak, Reducing Braking Performance and 48V Integrated Starter-Generator / DC-DC Converter Failure Causing Sudden Power Loss and No-Restart and Fuel Pump Delivery Module Failure Leading to Extended Crank, Stalling, or No-Start and Panoramic Sunroof Glass Bonding Defect Can Cause Panel Separation or Fly-Off. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?

Repair costs for known Mercedes-Benz E-Class issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, M272 Balance Shaft Gear Wear, typically costs $2,000-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Based on owner reports, issues are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2003-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 12 documented issues from 12,500+ owner reports.

All 12 Known Issues

When Issues Typically Appear

2005-2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: M272 Balance Shaft Gear Wear#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

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2007-2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: OM642 Diesel Oil Cooler Leak#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

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2010-2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

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2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Turbo Oil Line Leak (M274)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

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2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 48V Integrated Starter-Generator / DC-DC Converter Failure Causing Sudden Power Loss and No-Restart#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: MBUX / Instrument Cluster Black Screen, Rebooting, and Rear Camera Inoperative Due to Infotainment Software Faults#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: COMAND Infotainment System Freeze#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

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2003-2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 7G-Tronic Conductor Plate Failure#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

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2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Air Suspension Failure (W212)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

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2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Front Brake Hose May Rupture or Leak, Reducing Braking Performance#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Fuel Pump Delivery Module Failure Leading to Extended Crank, Stalling, or No-Start#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Panoramic Sunroof Glass Bonding Defect Can Cause Panel Separation or Fly-Off#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

Other Mercedes-Benz Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?

Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?

What year Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the most reliable?

What is the 2005-2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class M272 Balance Shaft Gear Wear?

What is the 2003-2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7G-Tronic Conductor Plate Failure?

What is the 2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Air Suspension Failure (W212)?

What is the 2007-2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class OM642 Diesel Oil Cooler Leak?

What is the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Front Brake Hose May Rupture or Leak, Reducing Braking Performance?

What is the 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 48V Integrated Starter-Generator / DC-DC Converter Failure Causing Sudden Power Loss and No-Restart?

What is the 2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Fuel Pump Delivery Module Failure Leading to Extended Crank, Stalling, or No-Start?

What is the 2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Panoramic Sunroof Glass Bonding Defect Can Cause Panel Separation or Fly-Off?

What is the 2010-2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure?

What is the 2014-2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Turbo Oil Line Leak (M274)?

What is the 2021-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class MBUX / Instrument Cluster Black Screen, Rebooting, and Rear Camera Inoperative Due to Infotainment Software Faults?

What is the 2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class COMAND Infotainment System Freeze?