Is the Mercedes-Benz EQE more reliable than the Tesla Model 3?

Slightly, yes. The EQE draws 18.6 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 28.7 for the Model 3. Both have a mixed standing. The EQE record covers only two model years, so the gap could shift as more reports come in.

Which has more recalls, the EQE or the Model 3?

The Model 3 has far more. Federal recall records show 113 across nine model years for the Model 3 and 15 across two model years for the EQE. The Model 3 has been on the road longer, so some of that gap is simply time.

What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz EQE?

Sudden loss of propulsion while driving. Owners describe stalls at 40 to 45 mph with warnings that sometimes call for towing. Several reports came within about 5,700 miles. Dealers rebooted the system, updated software, or could not reproduce the fault.

Is phantom braking a problem on the Tesla Model 3?

Yes, it is the most common complaint in two areas. Owners say the car brakes hard on Autopilot or adaptive cruise control with nothing ahead, often near overpasses or hill crests. Some report several stops on one trip, and service often finds nothing wrong.

Which Tesla Model 3 years should I avoid?

Avoid 2018 and 2021, the weakest years in the data. Early 2018 builds had rusted brake lines that leaked fluid, including one car at 107,000 miles. The 2024 and 2025 years rank strongest, though newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model 3: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Mercedes-Benz EQE

Mixed

Tesla Model 3

Mixed

Shoppers weighing the Mercedes-Benz EQE against the Tesla Model 3 will find the EQE slightly ahead on reliability. Owners file fewer complaints per car sold, and federal recall counts are far lower. The EQE record covers only two model years, so the lead is small.

How Do the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Tesla Model 3 Generations Compare?

Every used EQE belongs to its first generation, called V295, which is the only one on record. US model years for that generation start in 2022. No facelift is listed, so the cars you find share the same basic design. The Model 3 has had two generations. The first began with the 2017 model year and got a facelift for 2021. The second began with 2024 and carried a refresh. Most used Model 3 shoppers will see first-generation cars, while 2024 and newer cars belong to the newer design.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz EQE is more reliable than the Tesla Model 3, scoring 59/100 vs 55/100.

A slight edge goes to the Mercedes-Benz EQE. Owners file fewer complaints per car sold, and its federal recall count is far lower than the Model 3's. The edge is small for two reasons. The EQE has only two model years and a small pool of reports, so its record is thin. And its worst complaint, sudden loss of power while driving, is serious. The Model 3 has a long record, and it is mixed.

Key Differences

1Mercedes-Benz EQE has 98 fewer total recalls
2Mercedes-Benz EQE has 10.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mercedes-Benz EQE scores 4 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Mercedes-Benz EQE

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0Tesla Model 3

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model 3: Which Is More Reliable?

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model 3 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mercedes-Benz EQE	Tesla Model 3
Reliability Score	59/100	55/100
Years Tracked	2	9
Total Recalls	15	113
Complaints per 10k Sold	18.6	28.7
Year Wins	0	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Tesla Model 3?

Power loss defines the EQE's complaints. Cars stalled at 40 to 45 mph, often before 5,700 miles, and others shuddered or lost speed on the highway. Brake pedals went soft and sank. Crash-linked reports are few: two in the electrical system, three in air bags, and one in service brakes. The Model 3 has crash-linked reports in all five of its main areas. Phantom braking, unintended acceleration while parking, Autopilot steering toward barriers, and worn front control arms lead the list. The EQE has no steering or forward-collision area among its main problems.

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model 3 common problem areas comparison
Component	Mercedes-Benz EQE	Tesla Model 3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	5.1Average	3Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	4.7Average	3.1Average
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	6.1Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	3.7Average
SERVICE BRAKES	1.3Low	2.1Low
AIR BAGS	1.3Low	1.7Low
STEERING	—None	2.6Low
POWER TRAIN	1.3Low	0.4Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	1.6Low
WHEELS	0.8Very Low	0.1Very Low
TIRES	0.8Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	0.7Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.3Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.2Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

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

How Does Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model 3 Reliability Compare by Year?

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model 3 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mercedes-Benz EQE	Tesla Model 3	Edge
2024	61/1005R / 14C	62/1004R / 183C	Tesla Model 3
2023	56/10010R / 30C	57/10010R / 386C	Tesla Model 3

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE scored 61/100 and the 2024 Tesla Model 3 scored 62/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQE vs the Tesla Model 3?

Choose the EQE if you want fewer complaints per car sold and can live with a short track record. Only 2023 and 2024 model years are in the data. Because stalls showed up early, around 2,500 to 5,700 miles, ask whether the control unit software was updated and whether any warning messages were ever logged. Check federal recall records by VIN before you sign. Choose the Model 3 if you want a large used market and a long history to research. Target 2025 or 2024, the strongest years in the data. Avoid 2018 and 2021, the weakest. On a 2018, look at the brake lines, since owners reported rust and fluid leaks on early builds. On any year, have the front suspension inspected, because control arm wear showed up between roughly 29,000 and 55,000 miles. Test the touchscreen and backup camera, and be wary of relying on Autopilot, given the phantom braking reports.

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model 3: Common Questions

Is the Mercedes-Benz EQE more reliable than the Tesla Model 3?: Slightly, yes. The EQE draws 18.6 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 28.7 for the Model 3. Both have a mixed standing. The EQE record covers only two model years, so the gap could shift as more reports come in.
Which has more recalls, the EQE or the Model 3?: The Model 3 has far more. Federal recall records show 113 across nine model years for the Model 3 and 15 across two model years for the EQE. The Model 3 has been on the road longer, so some of that gap is simply time.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz EQE?: Sudden loss of propulsion while driving. Owners describe stalls at 40 to 45 mph with warnings that sometimes call for towing. Several reports came within about 5,700 miles. Dealers rebooted the system, updated software, or could not reproduce the fault.
Is phantom braking a problem on the Tesla Model 3?: Yes, it is the most common complaint in two areas. Owners say the car brakes hard on Autopilot or adaptive cruise control with nothing ahead, often near overpasses or hill crests. Some report several stops on one trip, and service often finds nothing wrong.
Which Tesla Model 3 years should I avoid?: Avoid 2018 and 2021, the weakest years in the data. Early 2018 builds had rusted brake lines that leaked fluid, including one car at 107,000 miles. The 2024 and 2025 years rank strongest, though newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

More Mercedes-Benz EQE comparisons

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More Tesla Model 3 comparisons

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How we score the Mercedes-Benz EQE and Tesla Model 3

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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