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

Yes, by a large gap. Owner complaints run about 18.6 per 10,000 sold for the EQE and 160 per 10,000 for the Model S. The EQE has only two model years of history, so its record is shorter, but the Model S shows more crash-linked problems in more areas.

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

The Model S has far more. Federal recall records show 227 across eight model years for the Model S and 15 across two model years for the EQE. Longer time on the road explains part of the difference, but the Model S total is still much larger.

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

Sudden stalls are the biggest concern. Electrical complaints describe loss of propulsion while driving, often at 40 to 45 mph, with a warning that towing may be needed. Several began between about 2,500 and 5,700 miles. Dealers often reboot the system, update software, or cannot reproduce the fault.

Does the Tesla Model S have a phantom braking problem?

Yes. It is the most common pattern in owner complaints. The car brakes hard at highway speed with nothing ahead, on Autopilot, adaptive cruise, and sometimes in manual driving. Some drivers report it about once every 100 miles. Phantom braking shows up in both forward collision avoidance and service brake complaints.

Which Tesla Model S years should I avoid?

Avoid 2021 and 2023, which are the weakest years in the data. The strongest are 2019 and 2025. The 2025 car has had less time to collect complaints, so 2019 is the safer reading. Test any year for phantom braking and parking-speed surges.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model S: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Mercedes-Benz EQE

Mixed

Tesla Model S

Mixed

The Mercedes-Benz EQE comes out well ahead of the Tesla Model S on reliability. Model S drivers file far more complaints per car sold, led by phantom braking and unintended acceleration. The EQE has serious stall reports, but its record is much shorter.

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

Only two model years of EQE history exist in the data, 2023 and 2024, and the car is listed as a first-generation V295. With so little time on the road, its complaint count is small and could grow. The Model S has stayed in a single generation since 2013, with major facelifts in 2017 and 2021. Used shoppers will mostly see cars from 2018 to 2025. The 2021 facelift year is among the weakest, and 2023 is too, so newer cars have not been trouble-free. The 2019 car predates the 2021 facelift and is listed among the strongest.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz EQE is more reliable than the Tesla Model S, scoring 59/100 vs 41/100.

Reliability favors the EQE by a large margin. Both carry a mixed standing, but Model S drivers file far more complaints per car sold. Those reports reach into steering, unintended acceleration, and phantom braking, with crash-linked cases in every major area. The EQE has serious reports too, including sudden stalls and an airbag failure in a crash. It has only two model years of history, so its record is thinner. Even so, the gap is wide enough to settle the call.

Key Differences

1Mercedes-Benz EQE has 212 fewer total recalls
2Mercedes-Benz EQE has 141.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mercedes-Benz EQE scores 18 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Mercedes-Benz EQE

—

0Tesla Model S

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

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

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model S at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mercedes-Benz EQE	Tesla Model S
Reliability Score	59/100	41/100
Years Tracked	2	8
Total Recalls	15	227
Complaints per 10k Sold	18.6	160
Year Wins	2	0

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

Sudden stalls define the EQE: loss of propulsion at 40 to 45 mph early in the car's life, plus soft brake pedals and tire blowouts on Pirelli tires. The Model S is dominated by phantom braking at highway speed, surges at parking speed, and a steering wheel that locks or stiffens. Forward collision avoidance, speed control, and steering are the Model S's top three problem areas, all with crash-linked reports, and the EQE has no matching categories. Electrical and service brakes show crash-linked reports on both cars. Air bags appear only on the EQE's list, where a severe frontal crash saw none deploy.

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model S common problem areas comparison
Component	Mercedes-Benz EQE	Tesla Model S
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	34High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	4.7Average	19.8High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	5.1Average	17.1High
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	18.1High
STEERING	—None	17.8High
SERVICE BRAKES	1.3Low	11.1Above Avg
SUSPENSION	—None	9.1Above Avg
AIR BAGS	1.3Low	3.4Average
POWER TRAIN	1.3Low	2.6Low
STRUCTURE	—None	2.5Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	1.9Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	1.1Low
WHEELS	0.8Very Low	—None
TIRES	0.8Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.3Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.3Very Low

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

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

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model S year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mercedes-Benz EQE	Tesla Model S	Edge
2024	61/1005R / 14C	42/10019R / 316C	Mercedes-Benz EQE
2023	56/10010R / 30C	32/10043R / 1307C	Mercedes-Benz EQE

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE scored 61/100 and the 2024 Tesla Model S scored 42/100 — 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 S?

Pick the EQE if you want the lower-risk car and can live with a short track record. Its complaint rate is far lower, and it has far fewer recalls. Before you buy, ask the dealer whether any stall or propulsion-loss warning was ever logged, and check which tires are on the car. Owners report blowouts on both the original tires and their replacements. Have the brakes tested for a soft pedal. Pick the Model S if you want a full-size sedan with a long used market and you accept the risks. Target 2019, which is listed among the strongest years. The 2025 model year is also listed as strong, but it has had less time to collect complaints, so do not read that as proof it is better. Avoid 2021 and 2023, the weakest years. Whichever year you choose, test how the car brakes on the highway and how it behaves at parking speed. Phantom braking and parking-speed surges are the most common reports.

Mercedes-Benz EQE vs Tesla Model S: Common Questions

Is the Mercedes-Benz EQE more reliable than the Tesla Model S?: Yes, by a large gap. Owner complaints run about 18.6 per 10,000 sold for the EQE and 160 per 10,000 for the Model S. The EQE has only two model years of history, so its record is shorter, but the Model S shows more crash-linked problems in more areas.
Which has more recalls, the EQE or the Model S?: The Model S has far more. Federal recall records show 227 across eight model years for the Model S and 15 across two model years for the EQE. Longer time on the road explains part of the difference, but the Model S total is still much larger.
What is the biggest problem with the Mercedes-Benz EQE?: Sudden stalls are the biggest concern. Electrical complaints describe loss of propulsion while driving, often at 40 to 45 mph, with a warning that towing may be needed. Several began between about 2,500 and 5,700 miles. Dealers often reboot the system, update software, or cannot reproduce the fault.
Does the Tesla Model S have a phantom braking problem?: Yes. It is the most common pattern in owner complaints. The car brakes hard at highway speed with nothing ahead, on Autopilot, adaptive cruise, and sometimes in manual driving. Some drivers report it about once every 100 miles. Phantom braking shows up in both forward collision avoidance and service brake complaints.
Which Tesla Model S years should I avoid?: Avoid 2021 and 2023, which are the weakest years in the data. The strongest are 2019 and 2025. The 2025 car has had less time to collect complaints, so 2019 is the safer reading. Test any year for phantom braking and parking-speed surges.

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

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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