Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300

Aug 03, 2018 — Recall Campaign #18V515000

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300, E300 4Matic, E43 AMG 4Matic, E400 4Matic, E63S AMG 4Matic+, and 2019 CLS450 4Matic vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 345 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

18V515000

Manufacturer:	Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Recall date:	August 03, 2018
NHTSA Campaign #:	18V515000
Units affected:	345

Description:: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300, E300 4Matic, E43 AMG 4Matic, E400 4Matic, E63S AMG 4Matic+, and 2019 CLS450 4Matic vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may not be properly calibrated, resulting in the front passenger air bag not being deactivated if a child seat is in the front seat.
Consequeces:: If a child seat is in the front seat and the passenger air bag is not deactivated, in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Corrective action:: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began November 26, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Notes:: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affects the following:

2018 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E63S Complaints
THIS NOTE REGARDS COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11301860, WHICH I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. PLEASE REFER TO IT FOR INFORMATION. MERCEDES-BENZ TOOK THE VEHICLE TO M-B FAYETTEVILLE, NC ON 1-31-20 AND RETURNED IT ON 2-3-20. AFTER ONLY 54 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS PERFORMING EXACTLY AS IT DID WHEN I FIRST REPORTED THIS ISSUE. IN MY VIEW, THE DEFICIENCIES CAN LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT'S ELECTRONIC "SAFETY" ASSIST FACILITIES LULLS ONE INTO A DEPENDENCY AND FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. THEN, THEY STOP WORKING WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN ON BUSY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.;
2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E 300 Complaints
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes Benz E Class. The contact stated that while driving stopped at a residential gate, the gear was shifted and skipped from g1 to g3., shifting itself to neutral. In another incident, when at a stop light or stop sign, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair for software update however the issue that was experienced with the vehicle stalling was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that he thought the recall had to do with the issue he was experiencing but was informed by the dealer that it was a separate issue. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. the approximate failure mileage was 112,000.;
2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E 400 4MATIC Complaints
Component/System: The intake camshaft positioner/adjuster on cylinder bank 2 of the M276 V6 engine has failed, along with associated timing components. The vehicle (2018 Mercedes-Benz E400, VIN [XXX]) remains unrepaired and is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The engine produces a loud metallic rattle on cold starts, indicating loss of proper camshaft timing control. If unaddressed, camshaft timing deviation can progress to timing chain failure, which on interference engines can cause valve-to-piston contact and sudden, severe engine damage or loss of power while driving, posing a risk to vehicle control. Confirmed by Dealer: Yes. Mercedes-Benz of Catonsville (RO# [XXX]) diagnosed the issue and confirmed stored fault code P002177, indicating the intake camshaft position on cylinder bank 2 deviates from its specified value. The dealer's own notes state camshaft adjusters "are prone to failure and commonly damage camshafts when they fail." Manufacturer Notified: I contacted Mercedes-Benz USA directly (Case #[XXX]) to request they address this repair, citing that this camshaft/timing failure is a known, recurring issue on M276-equipped vehicles, supported by Mercedes' own technical service bulletins (TSB LI05.10-P-056435 and TSB LI05.20-P-059966) describing this exact failure pattern. Despite multiple attempts, including a promised callback that was never received and nearly an hour on hold with no resolution, Mercedes-Benz USA has not adequately responded or taken action. Warning Signs: The check engine light illuminated in early August 2026, prompting a dealer visit. The cold-start rattle was identified by the dealer during diagnosis the following day. No prior symptoms were noticed beforehand. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6);
2018 MERCEDES-BENZ E43 AMG Complaints
I BOUGHT A 2018 MERCEDES BENZ E43 ABOUT A YEAR AGO WITH APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MILES. TODAY THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MILES. IN THOSE 13,000 AND ABOUT ONE YEAR OF USE THE VEHICLE HAS DAMAGED THREE FRONT WHEELS AND FOUR FRONT TIRES. THE FIRST WHEEL HAD A 1.5' TRANSVERSE CRACK ALONG THE INNER RIM LIP AND WAS NOTICED BY ME ONLY 1,000 MILES OR LESS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THIS NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RIM AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TWO FRONT TIRES. THE SECOND WHEEL THAT WAS DAMAGED HAD A 6'-7' AND POSSIBLY LONGER LONGITUDINAL CRACK (SEE PHOTOS) ALONG THE INNER LIP THAT INDICATES THAT THE RIM FAILED STRUCTURALLY AND ALMOST CATASTROPHICALLY. THIS PARTICULAR FRONT RIGHT RIM WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TIRE THAT WAS ALSO DAMAGED ON OCTOBER 10, 2020. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME WHEEL / TIRE ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE RIM WAS BENT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. THIS VEHICLE UNDER TYPICAL AND CONSERVATIVE DRIVING CONDITIONS AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE SUSPENSION SET ON 'COMFORT' HAS DAMAGED THREE FRONT WHEELS AND FOUR FRONT TIRES. AS A RESULT OF THESE REPEATED AND CONTINUAL FAILURES OF THE FRONT WHEEL / TIRE ASSEMBLIES IT HAS BECOME RATHER CLEAR THAT THESE 20' DIAMETER WHEELS FAIL STRUCTURALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE MARGINAL IN TERMS OF YIELD STRENGTH AND HAVE ZERO ROAD HAZARD IMPACT RESISTANCE BUILT INTO THEM. THIS DEFECT MAKES THESE WHEEL / TIRE ASSEMBLIES AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO OPERATE BECAUSE A CATASTROPHIC WHEEL / TIRE ASSEMBLY FAILURE CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS MANDATORY. THE CONFIGURATION AND USE OF 20' WHEELS WITH LOW-PROFILE RUN-PLAT PIRELLI TIRES ON THE 2018 E43 IS HIGHLY DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC WHEEL / TIRE ASSEMBLY FAILURE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND LOSS OF LIFE.;
2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450 Complaints
My vehicle steering wheel completely disengaged/malfunctioned when driving home. The steering wheel continuously rotates however there is no shifting of wheels. This is hazardous as I had to brake the car and call roadside assistance. It is currently at the Mercedes dealership and will be inspected tomorrow. The car displayed the following error after the steering malfunctioned: ESP® is malfunctioning Other driving systems and driving safety systems may also malfunction. The brake system continues to operate normally. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can increase. WARNING: Risk of skidding if ESP® is malfunctioning • Drive on carefully.;