Mercedes Benz E problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
14,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2011 model years. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 31 complaints (19.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 19.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 12.9% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Tires: 4; Air Bags: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
2008: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 9; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2014: 3
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10469732 · 2012-08-08 (August 8, 2012)
AFTER FUELING UP COMPLETELY, THERE WAS A STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN MY GARAGE. IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. THIS IS THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF WHERE THE FUEL FILL CAP IS! THERE WERE NO VISIBLE PUDDLES ON MY FLOOR, BUT IT SMELLED AS IF THERE SHOULD BE. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A LITTLE BIT, HOWEVER, IT DOES THIS NOW EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE CAR AND IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,311 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562603 · 2014-02-02 (February 2, 2014)
AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK WITH GASOLINE, I SMELL AN ODOR OF GAS UNTIL THE TANK IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 33,130 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10263035 · 2009-03-25 (March 25, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ 350E. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 35 TO 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS IF IT ENGAGED INTO THE NEUTRAL GEAR. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN FULL POWER AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE COMPONENT AND THE ASSOCIATED PART NUMBER WAS 14027008-61. THERE HAD NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10356174 · 2010-09-17 (September 17, 2010)
2011 MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS-THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC SHIFTER JUST BEHIND STEERING WHEEL. IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL IF IT GOES INTO PARK OR NOT. MY WIFE HAD ENGINE RUNNING, GOT OUT OF CAR TO CHECK THE TRUNK AND THOUGHT SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT STARTED TO MOVE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO JUMP INSIDE AND HIT THE BRAKE. LATER THAT MORNING I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THOUGHT I HIT THE PARK. I GOT OUT LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ON THE PHONE. WHEN FINISHED SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR STARTED TO R…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10356174 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10532213 · 2013-07-28 (July 28, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SBS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH LOSS OF MOST BRAKING ABILITY. I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR, TURN AROUND AND RETURN ABOUT 8 MILES TO MY HOME IN "LIMP HOME" MODE. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. I THEN CALL THE MB DEALERSHIP WHICH SENT A TRUCK TO PICK UP THE CAR. THE SBS HYDRAULIC UNIT HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT NO COST. WHILE I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE COST (NONE), THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH THE LOSS OF BRAKE ABILITY. I TAKE ROAD TRIPS TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215351 · 2008-01-18 (January 18, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 004869. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63. UPDATED 02-15-08. *KB UPDATED 02/15/08 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 63 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10377998 · 2011-01-20 (January 20, 2011)
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS: YESTERDAY 1/19/11 WHILE DRIVING ~35-40MPH AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, MY 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 SUDDENLY &RAPIDLY DECELERATED WHILE MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE AUTO GAVE THE MESSAGE THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEACTIVATED BY THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR ME HAD I BEEN ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE AUTO TO THE DEALERSHIP- MERCEDES BENZ HONOLULU AND THEY OFFERED VERY LITTLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE DEFECTIVENESS OF THE AUTO AND WOULDN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. ANOTHER MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS A COUP…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10428751 · 2011-10-05 (October 5, 2011)
COMPLETE FAILURE OF WIRING HARNESS FOR ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INCLUDING DAMAGE TO MASS AIR SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, ECU, ETC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10428751 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
2004: 0; 2005: 0; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 0; 2010: 1; 2011: 4