2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems and recalls

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has no recalls on file. Owners have filed 234 complaints, most often on the Air Bags.

234
Complaints
0
Recalls
7
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
6
Injuries
42.8
Severity index

Severity index 42.8 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 42.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 114 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 12% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Air BagsAir Bags: 92 complaints (39.3%)92 39%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 28 complaints (12.0%)28 12%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 22 complaints (9.4%)22 9%Service BrakesService Brakes: 21 complaints (9.0%)21 9%EngineEngine: 20 complaints (8.5%)20 9%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 17 complaints (7.3%)17 7%SuspensionSuspension: 15 complaints (6.4%)15 6%SteeringSteering: 12 complaints (5.1%)12 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
AIR BAGS9239.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2812.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM229.4%
SERVICE BRAKES219.0%
ENGINE208.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER177.3%
SUSPENSION156.4%
STEERING125.1%

Complaints filed per year

020412011: 12012: 32013: 32014: 52015: 42016: 52017: 412018: 222019: 392020: 182021: 162022: 212023: 122024: 202025: 172026: 7 (partial year)1112131415161741181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20111
20123
20133
20145
20154
20165
201741
201822
201939
202018
202116
202221
202312
202420
202517
2026 (year to date)7
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (49 against 55).

Other Mercedes-Benz E-Class model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.