Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaints
3,253 consumer complaints on file.
- #11491328October 28, 2022SUSPENSION
When I took my vehicle to the dealership for service to have it inspected, I was told that it would not pass inspection due to the corrosion of the rear subframe. They told me this is a serious safety issue and that they are seeing a lot of Mercedes, especially in the last year and a half, that have this issue. The repair will cost me $4,500, Mercedes does not cover the cost even though it is a major structural issue. The subframe should last the life of the vehicle which is only 8 years old/60,000 miles and has been garage kept with all recommended services done by the dealer. My life and and the life of others is at risk as if the subframe fails, it causes loss of control of the car. Mercedes will not issue a recall. Mercedes owners don't even know to look out for this problem. Why do they have air bag recall and braking system recall but not a recall for this as Mercedes Benz in the UK does??
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11491143October 27, 2022FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving on North Shepherd Drive in Houston, TX, at a speed of approximately 35 MPH. While I was lightly braking to slow down for an upcoming intersection where I wished to turn, the car flashed 2 error lights--Frontal Collision Avoidance System Inoperable, and Traction Control System Inoperable. At that moment, the car began to accelerate out of my control. It began to accelerate at a pace comparable to a full-throttle acceleration. At that moment, I turned off the vehicle and coasted to the side of the road. After a moment, I turned the car back on, electrical components responded as normal. However, there was a fluttering movement on the RPM levels on the tachymeter--even at idle levels.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11491007October 26, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY
The rear subframe of the car (MB E350, 2015 with 81,000 miles) is completely rusted/corroded through creating an unsafe situation where the car pulled left on braking with resultant loss of control of the vehicle as it spun out. The brake lines are adjacent and are also currently being inspected by MB Open Road Service [XXX] in Bridgewater, NJ. It is a miracle we (my three grandchildren, my husband, and/or I) were not involved in a tragic accident. This manufacturing component failure has been widely reported in the USA and worldwide for years with recalls in other countries, but not yet in the USA. I also reported this by phone to MBUSA, but have yet to receive any information or confirmation of the issue in writing. As you can see from the photo (courtesy of Denson's Auto Repair who has seen this issue before), the subframe is completely corroded through. There were no warning lights and I get my vehicle serviced at the dealer every year. The vehicle was thoroughly inspected in January of 2022 for an A type service and no mention was made to me at that time about this dangerous corrosion. This is a material failure and not simply a result of harsh NJ winters with salted roads. I have never seen subframe corrosion failure in any of my cars with far more years and miles on them. 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
- #11491068October 26, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V365000 (Electrical System, Communication) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490720October 25, 2022SUSPENSION
Owned the car for only ONE winter season and it failed to pass a vehicle safety inspection required in my state for operation. Mechanic reported a rear subframe deteriorating from winter road salts and related weather conditions, and that this was a common issue for my car in these particular climates, but Mercedes refuses to cover the cost in the US, but is currently covering the cost of repair in Europe and Canada. This us ridiculous my car warranty will not cover it and I can’t afford $3500 to repair and replace. The vehicle only had 58,000 miles on it at the time of diagnosis. What’s worse is it could technically happen again even when repaired because the subframe lacks the special coatings needed for winter protection. Now my beautiful car is not safe and I’m subject to municipal fines and penalties. OUTRAGEOUS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490562October 24, 2022ENGINE
While driving on the highway the engine shut down and I needed to pull over and restart the car. The engine would restart but then stalled several more times while driving. No check engine lights were on before the vehicle stalled and upon restarting the car no check engine lights turned on. I have it at the dealership currently but they can't look at it until December because of their backlog of repairs.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490604October 24, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, STEERING
The rear sub-frame involving vehicle stability under braking and turning. A component that should remain attached to the vehicle has broken off due to corrosion. My vehicle is not that old that a key structural component of the car should break at the weld/attachment point. I have video of this defect. But its greater than 10MB and will not let me upload it is there an email I can send it to ?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490698October 24, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Speaker(s) caught fire and sent smoke into car while driving. Dealer recognized issue immediately and said they have seen this before a few times. Mercedes said car is not in warranty son they will not support approx. bill of $4,000. The issue was discussed in various forums by several owners. I would like to see that Mercdes act responsibly and address the issue appropriately. Smoke coming into car while driving is hazardous in addition to hindering visibility and potentially cause serious accidents. Please make sure that Mercedes is reprimanded and have them recall vehicles to address the issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490459October 23, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING, SUSPENSION
The rear subframe failed as a result of pre-mature corrosion while traveling at 70mph. Control of vehicle was lost and could easily have led to a multiple fatality incident if not for luck. The problem has been reproduced in many Mercedes models around this model year and Mercedes is well aware of the issue with their inferior subframe. NTSA needs to order a recall from Mercedes as class action lawsuits are going to be put together if nothing is done. There was no warning that this subframe was going to fail.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490306October 21, 2022POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced jerking and hesitation and erroneously switched from the automatic transmission to the manual transmission position, without the transmission selector being switched. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not yet notified of failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11490187October 20, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The 2014 E350 4matic was diagnosed by the Dealer with a cracked rear subframe. When I questioned that is this common with a 2014 model EClass they were not sure. Calling MB USA they felt there weren't any complaints. When I called 9 different dealers in the USA looking for a NEW subframe for the E-Class, the common response was we are receiving many calls about replacing the subframe due to issues / cracked frame/rust, etc. They were all surprised and felt this is odd that this model would have so many subframe issues. MBUSA denied any issues as far as any structural issues. Very odd that my 2014 with approx 100k miles (garaged all the time) has subframe issues.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11489879October 18, 2022SUSPENSION
In a routine oil change, Mercedes dealership reports poorly rusted subframe. 2014 E350 with 160,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11489519October 17, 2022STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the local dealer for a routine oil change, the contact was informed that the rear subframe, control arms, brake lines, and pipe socket were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488610October 10, 2022SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
2014 E350 with 41,000 miles. Rusted subframe and was informed that it represented unsafe and risky driving conditions. Reported this to manufacturer as, apparently, it is a very common problem with certain Mercedes classes. No recall and very expensive fix ($4500)! Not my idea of a safe and reliable car, as Mercedes likes to advertise. Consumers should not be responsible for manufacturing defects/ poor quality of materials used ..... and should definitely not be exposed to unsafe conditions when operating their vehicle!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488632October 10, 2022ENGINE
Positive crankcase ventilation regulator valve performance
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488341October 7, 2022SUSPENSION
During braking a knocking noise happen due to a dislodged or broken bracket from rear suspension cross member. And has appeared to rusted from the inside out. Mercedes was notified and was inspected by a local Mercedes dealership. Vehicle cannot be safely driven.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488127October 6, 2022SUSPENSION
rear crossmember rotted and snapped
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11488121October 5, 2022SERVICE BRAKES
There’s a squeakly sound coming from my brakes. I have to start breaking very early in order for to be safe. It you feels very dangerous to drive this vehicle. I had my brakes change twice in the same year because of the same problem and it has not fix the problem.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11487848October 4, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL SMELL IN CABIN FROM REAR FUEL PUMP. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE W212 HAVE BEEN HAVING AS WELL ACCORDING TO MBWORLD.ORG FORUMS. I AM FRIGHTENED THAT ONE SPARK MAY CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO EXPLODE, I ALSO CANNOT ALLOW MY 5 YEAR OLD SON TO RISE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT HIM TO BREATHE THE FUEL FUMES. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN POSSESSION OF DEALER BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO A GOODWILL REPAIR FOR IT. THEY ARE CHARGING FOR INSPECTION WHEN IT IS NOT MY FAULT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11487625October 3, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving the car on a road I drive daily with my son in a child seat in the back row. The car inexplicably slammed on the brakes at full force, stopping in time to avoid driving over the shadow of a tree. Approximately thirty minutes later, there was a loud popping / explosion sound from inside the engine compartment, the car lost all power, coasted along for approximately 100 feet, and then restarted while coasting. This is the second time in under a year that the car has experienced a major electrical system malfunction.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0