2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Powertrain & Transmission Problems

While driving, malfunction warning flashed on dash, followed by 48v malfunction warning, then engine coolant overheat warning. The car then went into limp mode and finally stopped completely. Luckily this occurred on a residential street and not on a high speed freeway - the car gave very little warning before drastically reduced speed and shutting down systems. A 48 volt battery problem should have a redundant system to prevent the engine from overheating and not shutting down the vehicle at speed. Very dangerous!

My first incident was on July 17, 2023, the transmission shifted from drive to neutral, with out me touching the gear shift lever in any way. My safety and any passengers I have in this car, could be at risk, at this point I was going about 40 MPH, going into a gradual curve, entering a Entrance to 95 north, I had slowed down to the entrance ramp speed, this is when the transmission went from Drive to Neutral, with out me touching the gear shift lever. I had a appointment at Quirk Auto Park, there service dept. in Bangor, Maine, no warning lamps came on the dashboard, they proceeded to put the diagnostic tool on the car, they came out maybe 15or20 minutes later, they didn’t find anything. The first incident I also reported to the NHTSA. The second incident took place on 10/20/23, I was going under 25 MPH, I was into a left hand turn, the transmission came out of drive, and went into neutral, I did not touch the gear shift lever at all. There was no warning lamps that came on after this second incident either.

My 2023 Mercedes 450E car was purchased on June 11, 2023 and has 1,750 miles. On 2 to 3 different occasions, I was stopped at a light waiting to make a left turn, fortunately my light was red and not a green permitting turning, which would have meant I would have pulled up and into the cross section to prepare to turn; I pushed the gas in the drive position and large red malfunction letters displayed across the dashboard and the car just revved. I put it in park and then drive postion a few times and had the same result. Finally, I turned the car off and back on, put it in drive, pushed the gas and it went. I live in Miami, with the serious traffic congestion. The issues that my stalled car caused blocking other drivers’ passage through a few lights, can only be imagined Fortunately, no accidents happened as other drivers attempted to get around my vehicle. The car was taken into service on October 9, 2023, many tests were performed, a diagnosis of the stalling problem was provided, however, I was told there no solution to the problem at this time, “maybe in the future” I was told. Turn off the Economy button, I was told. What if I forget? What if someone else is driving the car? As one can clearly read from the service record, attached hereto, the car is irreparable.The car was released to me anyway on October 28, 2023. After complaining to Mercedes corporate, they offered to repurchase my car. I said I wanted a replacement. They said my model had this problem and a replacement would not solve my problem. I asked about the safety of all other owners and drivers coming into contact with this model on the road and why a recall hadn't been issued and there was no response, nor concern from Mercedes. This model can stall in stop and go traffic on the nation's interstate highways and there will be fatalities. Mercedes, fix the car and give notice to owners of this model about the defect.

The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz E450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and merging into traffic, the gear shifter inadvertently shifted into neutral (N). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the RPM was fluctuating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300.