Which has more recalls, the Audi E-Tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQE?

The Audi E-Tron has more recalls (106) compared to the Mercedes-Benz EQE (15). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi E-Tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQE?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mercedes-Benz EQE has a lower complaint rate at 18.6 per 10,000 sold versus 80.3 for the Audi E-Tron. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Audi E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE: Reliability Compared

Audi E-Tron

Mixed

More Reliable

Mercedes-Benz EQE

Mixed

Choosing between the Audi E-Tron and the Mercedes-Benz EQE? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Mercedes-Benz EQE currently leads with an average score of 59/100 compared to 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi E-Tron and Mercedes-Benz EQE Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mercedes-Benz EQE is in its first generation, which debuted in 2022 as the V295 model. This means it's relatively early in its generation cycle, a period when new platforms can often experience initial teething issues as manufacturers work out any kinks. In contrast, the Audi E-Tron, first introduced in 2019, underwent a significant facelift in 2023, when it was rebranded as the Q8 e-tron. This model is later in its generation cycle, suggesting that many early issues have likely been addressed, resulting in a more refined and reliable vehicle. For buyers prioritizing reliability, the more mature Audi platform may offer a more dependable choice.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz EQE is more reliable than the Audi E-Tron, scoring 59/100 vs 51/100.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE and the Audi E-Tron both present reliability challenges, but the EQE edges ahead with a slightly better average reliability score of 59/100 compared to the E-Tron's 51/100. The EQE has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 18.6 per 10,000 vehicles, against the E-Tron's 80.3, indicating fewer issues per capita. However, the EQE has been subject to 15 recalls over two years, while the E-Tron has had 106 recalls over an eight-year span, suggesting ongoing reliability concerns for both. Overall, the EQE's lower complaint rate and higher reliability score make it the more reliable choice between the two.

Key Differences

1Mercedes-Benz EQE has 91 fewer total recalls
2Mercedes-Benz EQE has 61.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mercedes-Benz EQE scores 8 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Audi E-Tron

—

3Mercedes-Benz EQE

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Audi E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi E-Tron	Mercedes-Benz EQE
Reliability Score	51/100	59/100
Years Tracked	8	2
Total Recalls	106	15
Complaints per 10k Sold	80.3	18.6
Year Wins	0	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi E-Tron and Mercedes-Benz EQE?

The Mercedes-Benz EQE and Audi E-Tron exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the E-Tron accumulating a significantly higher total of 240 complaints compared to the EQE's 44. Both vehicles face issues with their electrical systems, but the E-Tron's 92 complaints, including 6 crash-linked, suggest a more pervasive problem in this area. The EQE shows a higher proportion of crash-linked complaints in air bags, with all three incidents being crash-related, indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the E-Tron also has notable issues with its power train and vehicle speed control, reflecting broader mechanical challenges not as prevalent in the EQE.

Audi E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi E-Tron	Mercedes-Benz EQE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	30.8High	5.1Average
POWER TRAIN	10Above Avg	1.3Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	5.7Average	4.7Average
SERVICE BRAKES	4Average	1.3Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	2.7Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2Low	—None
ENGINE	1.7Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.3Low	—None
STEERING	1.3Low	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	1.3Low
TIRES	—None	0.8Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.8Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.7Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.7Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.7Very Low	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Audi E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi E-Tron	Mercedes-Benz EQE	Edge
2024	48/10016R / 23C	61/1005R / 14C	Mercedes-Benz EQE
2023	46/10022R / 30C	56/10010R / 30C	Mercedes-Benz EQE

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Audi E-Tron scored 48/100 and the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE scored 61/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi E-Tron vs the Mercedes-Benz EQE?

If you prioritize reliability and a smoother ownership experience, the Mercedes-Benz EQE is the better choice. With a higher reliability score of 59/100 and significantly fewer recalls (15 compared to the Audi E-Tron's 106), the EQE demonstrates better dependability. Additionally, it has fewer owner complaints, with just 18.6 per 10,000 sold, suggesting fewer issues for you to manage. On the other hand, if you're considering the Audi E-Tron, be prepared for a higher likelihood of encountering electrical and power train issues, as indicated by its 51/100 reliability score and higher complaint rate of 80.3 per 10,000 sold. While the E-Tron might appeal to those who value its design or brand, you'll need to weigh these against its potential for more frequent repairs and recalls. Choose the EQE for a more reliable and less troublesome ownership experience.

Audi E-Tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE: Common Questions

Is the Audi E-Tron more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz EQE?: Based on our data, the Mercedes-Benz EQE is more reliable with an average score of 59/100 compared to 51/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Audi E-Tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQE?: The Audi E-Tron has more recalls (106) compared to the Mercedes-Benz EQE (15). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi E-Tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQE?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mercedes-Benz EQE has a lower complaint rate at 18.6 per 10,000 sold versus 80.3 for the Audi E-Tron. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

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More Mercedes-Benz EQE comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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