Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaints
3,253 consumer complaints on file.
- #11495188November 28, 2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the message "Inoperable Headlight" was displayed, and the passenger's side headlight became inoperable. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to dealer who added an unknown gas inside the headlight. However, the failure reoccurred with the driver's side headlight six months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who added the unknown gas inside the headlight, however, the failure reoccurred months later with the passenger's side. The contact stated that the failure persisted with both the driver's side and the passenger's side headlights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that there was water leaking inside the headlights and they could not replace the headlights because the manufacturer would not cover the cost of the repair. The dealer informed the contact that he would need to pay a repair fee. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,700.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11494601November 22, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY
Our mechanic reports a dime-sized rust hole in the rear subframe.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11494611November 22, 2022SUSPENSION
--Rear sub-frame broken. Part is available upon request. --Rear of car swerved when turning and breaking, probably due to control arm dislocation. --Dealer is aware of problem and has in fact replaced many sub-frames. --The dealer has inspected the sub-frame and determined that it is broken. --No warnings prior to failure.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11494535November 22, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Strong fuel smell after refueling and topping off the gas tank. The smell is inside as well as outside driver side rear door. This occurs each time after I put gas in the car and the smell remains.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11494227November 19, 2022TIRES:TREAD/BELT, TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES
The driver front tire was found to have failed at the time of an oil change at approximately 15,000 miles. The tire was torn at the junction of the sidewall and tread in several areas. This tire is no longer available. No incident occurred. The passenger front tire was found to have the same defect when I performed a seasonal tire change but the conditions were worse at approximately 17,000 miles. No incident occurred. The tire will be taken to the dealer for inspection. Photos of this tire attached. 245/35 R20 95Y
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11494095November 18, 2022SUSPENSION
A state inspection identified that the rear subframe is rusted through. Per the service advisor, the failure of the rear subframe is a safety hazard because it effects steering and braking, and complete failure can cause loss of brakes. Service advisor advised not to drive the vehicle until repairs are made due to safety concerns. Vehicle failed inspection because the issue is a safety issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493847November 16, 2022SUSPENSION
I was driving on the highway and braked for traffic ahead of me. My car swerved hard to the right; however, I got it under control and brought it into the Mercedes dealer as soon as they had an opening. Upon examination, the dealer told me that the sub-chassis had corroded and broken away, damaging the torsion bar and denting the gas tank. A search online quickly showed that this is a common issue with Mercedes, and in some countries, they have issued a recall. The dealer quoted $5,250 to fix the car. This easily could have been a tragedy on the road with a less experienced driver behind the wheel. Mercedes must issue a recall for the inspection and repair of all affected vehicles.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493609November 15, 2022SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
When I parked my car there was a loud hissing sound near left front end but no smoke or anything from under the hood. When I drove it again I received a warning of (MALFUNCTION) when I was turning left the front left tire was grinding on the actual car and barely made it home. The car warning turned red and said pull over car too low. When I parked the car the front left side is now sitting on tire and touching the ground. Unable to drive. Not been investigated by a mechanic, insurance, etc. There was also an airbag warning before this issue. The contact has stated that she is disabled, and the vehicle is not currently drivable.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493623November 15, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
The issue with the vehicle's electrical causing power to the starter to stay on even after the vehicle is in the park and turned off, the starter's Solenoid and other electrical parts burn, its a serious fire hazard and needs to be addressed immediately.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493675November 15, 2022VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, she heard a loud abnormal sound emit from the vehicle as glass shattered from the vehicle's panoramic sunroof. The contact immediately pulled over as she, her husband, and her dog suffered minor injuries from the glass shard from the sunroof. The contact managed to clean out the vehicle, used cardboard to tape up the sunroof, and drove the vehicle to her destination. The contact then drove the vehicle to the dealer where she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493437November 14, 2022SERVICE BRAKES
I have a pre owned 2013 Mercedes Benz E-Class 4 Matic. This car runs beautifully and has been not missed a service appt since I took ownership in 2016. September 2022, the cars break light came on, took it to Mercedes Benz Natick, Ma and they states the cars brake lines were heavily corroded and was unsafe to drive. It was leaking brake fluid as well. Upon doing extensive research it seems to be a trend with this years model due to the material that Mercedes Benz used instead of the brake lines used in previous models that had no issues at all. It is a safety issue and they are endangering lives due to the poor quality material that they used for the brake lines.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493501November 14, 2022STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, after depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was jerking and steering to the left independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 181,000. The contact stated that the rusty subframe was so bad that if a piece had broken off it could have punctured the gas tank. The contact paid for the repairs necessary to fix the issues.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493388November 13, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY
Subframe is rusting and will cause structural failure. If failure happens car stability will be compromised and therefore cause an accident. Detected and confirmed by independent service center. Not inspected by dealer or ins. No warnings triggered since system not set up for that detection. Part in such high demand that there is a 10 mo wait via several dealer parts depts.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493193November 11, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
In June 2017, I received a letter from Mercedes-Benz of America informing me that the warranty of the fuel system in my vehicle is extended to 15 years. In that same year, I had my whole fuel tank replaced by an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer in San Jose, California due to strong smell of fuel by the rear wheel well on the driver side of the car. The repair was fully cover by MB-America under this extended warranty. On November 3, 2022, I experienced the same fuel smell from the same place of the car (i.e., driver side rear wheel well) and was told that the repair will not be cover at all, even though the fuel system in my car is only 5 years old. I am writing to suggest that you impose a 15 years warranty on the fuel leak replacement parts. MB needs to stand behind their product if it was their OEM parts and done by their authorized dealer. In my case the new fuel smell was due to a cracked Fuel Pump Assembly (Part # 211 470 60 94) which was found in the brand new fuel tank installed in my car in 2017. My car is now repaired at a local shop at a fraction of the cost that MB-San Jose would have charged me. My hope is for you to help future similar customers who will experience similar issue avoiding this unjust expense. Thank you very much, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493197November 11, 2022SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES
I noticed fluid on the ground under my car in the driveway. Turns out it was brake fluid, the vehicle alerted me to low brake fluid. Here was a broken brake line which appears to have been caused by the subframe being rusted out. The issue is with the rear subframe on the Mercedes’ E and C class dating from 2008 on. Mine is a 2011 E class. The subframes on these vehicles rust and rot out causing issues to the brake lines and rear suspension parts rotting / rusting out due to the subframe being compromised. I’ve taken my vehicle to the dealer to look at the brake line and I was advised that the subframe was rusting out and should be replaced as well, it will only worsen, creating a safety hazard while driving because it can cause the car not to stop properly and difficult to control. I’ve taken the vehicle to repair shop and was told the same. Also was advised by both the dealer and private repair shops that this is a common issue with these vehicles, yet there is no recall by Mercedes in this country. Canada has a recall for this issue and other countries as well but not the USA. I was quoted $5000 to fix the issue by putting a new subframe, repairing is not possible. The part itself is on back order almost everywhere due to the commonality of this issue. This has caused the price to go up in cost due to the demand. A junkyard / car parts quoted me $2000 for a used subframe. As a service connected disabled Veteran I find this issue to be very concerning and ask why this is not a recall that Mercedes should replace without cost to the consumer. I hope that my complaint and hopefully others as well can get this issue resolved and hold Mercedes accountable. The subframe rust out yet other parts around it does not, this has to be a manufacturer issue with the sub frame. Reports of this issue are in warm weather southern states with no snow or salt issues as well as northern states
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493045November 10, 2022SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact felt heat coming from the rear of the front driver seat and noticed smoke coming from the rear of the seat, causing the back of the driver’s seat to catch on fire. The contact was to pull over and noticed that the back of his shirt had caught on fire as well, the contact was not injured. The contact was able to stop the fire by pouring water on the seat. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed, but the front driver seat was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and they agreed to replace the front seat. The failure mileage was 38,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11492738November 8, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On my way to work lady Tuesday 11/1/22 just a few blocks from my AT&T office I started smelling fuel. I thought it was an lad car next to me. Looking at the rear mirror I noticed a line of fuel following me. By the time I pulled a side and shut down the vehicle I lost the full tank. The vehicle was towed and is still at Mercedes Benz of Plano, Plano, TX. The tech said the orings had gone bad and the hose deteriorated. It seems very similar to this recall https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2014-mercedes-benz-e350-recalled-for-fuel-line-problem.html I called Mercedes USA and opened CASE [XXX]. No reply yet. Fortunate the car didn’t catch on fire or someone thrower a cigarette while I was driving they downtown. Leaking fuel should not happen INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11491824November 1, 2022ENGINE
Vehicle running really rough. Check engine light came on and stated Cylinder #1 misfire. Technician took apart the engine and found cylinder #1 piston to have a Crack in it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11491827November 1, 2022SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES
We have been told by our Mercedes Auto Repair shop and subsequently confirmed by two additional auto repair shops, that our rear sub frame has deteriorated and that the steel brakes lines are also rusting creating a very dangerous situation. We were warned to drive straight home and not to drive it again. We have also been told that this is a "known" problem with Mercedes C and E class cars and that the sub frame deteriorates from the inside out and has nothing to do with salt on the roads or snow or ice. Had we not brought it in for the usual oil change and check up we could have been killed. We understand that there are recalls in the UK, Canada, Ireland, and other countries but not in the US. The repair is $7,000.00+ and the wait for the part is approximately 6 months. Why is there no recall in the US? We have read numerous reports on the Menz World Forum with the same issue. I would like to file a complaint as someone could be killed and Mercedes is not addressing this hazardous issue. Does someone have to die before it is recalled?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11491677October 31, 2022SUSPENSION
The rear subframe is broken. I was braking and the car lost control about two weeks ago. Ever since then the car feels like it's slipping whenever I brake or on a turn. I lose control of the car and I'm endangering my life and others. I went to take my vehicle to get inspected today and the said the rear subframe is broken and no fault of my own. The car was kept in a garage for years and only has 55k miles on it. There's no reason a subframe should be broken.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0