2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
173 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
86,688 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 134 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 65 of 173 complaints (37.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 60 | 34.7% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 7.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 5.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 2.3% |
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/Propulsion System | 65 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 20 |
| Seats | 17 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Wheels | 10 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 65; Fuel System, Gasoline: 20; Seats: 17; Electrical System: 16; Engine: 13; Wheels: 10; Air Bags: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 26 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 33 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 39 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 26; 75,000 to 99,999: 33; 100,000 to 149,999: 39; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 39 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2009: 2; 2010: 6; 2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 17; 2014: 23; 2015: 20; 2016: 14; 2017: 8; 2018: 12; 2019: 12; 2020: 17; 2021: 8; 2022: 4; 2023: 10; 2024: 5; 2025: 5; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 60 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 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 10361324 · 2010-10-20 (October 20, 2010)
I OWN A 2008 MERCEDES E350 4MATIC. AFTER A TRIP, WITH THE CAR SITTING AT THE AIRPORT FOR A WEEK IN WARM WEATHER, I ENTERED THE CAR AND NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. I VENTED THE CAR AND DROVE HOME. THE ODOR REMAINED. SUBSEQUENTLY I HAD THE CAR PUT ON A LIFT AND THERE WAS A STAIN COMING DOWN AROUND THE SIDES OF THE GAS TANK. I ALSO REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND NOTICED THAT THE SEAT FOAM WAS SATURATED WITH A GASOLINE SMELL DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ACCESS PANEL FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. I UNDERSTAND FROM LOCAL MECHANICS THAT THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505200 · 2013-04-01 (April 1, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED LARGE PUDDLES OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.. *TR...UPDATED 05/08/13 *BF UPDATED 06/10/2013 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 59,838 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425106 · 2011-09-12 (September 12, 2011)
THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN IN A PARKING LOT LEADING TO A CRASH. THE CAR WENT INSIDE A BUILDING. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES ALL THE TIME, BUT CAR DID NOT STOP. AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10515532 · 2013-06-06 (June 6, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION INDEPENDENTLY. AFTER REPEATED FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 06/26/2013 *LJ UPDATED 7/1/13 UPDATED 7/2/2013 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10744033 · 2015-07-27 (July 27, 2015)
THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED DUE TO SEPARATION OF BOND WIRES FROM THE LEAD FRAME IN THE SENSOR. THIS RESULTS IN AN INTERRUPTION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE CHIP HOUSING OF THE SENSOR. THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP IS NOT RECEIVING A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED. * MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALLED 2008 E350 MODELS. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER OR START. THERE'S A FAINT GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE BACK SEAT. THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT SENDING A SIG…
Owner-reported narrative. 142,307 miles reported. Look up ODI 10744033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873766 · 2016-06-12 (June 12, 2016)
"TAKATA RECALL" . I GOT MY MERCEDES 2008 FULLY BY MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER ON 12MAY16. FOLLOWING IS THE REPORT OF THE SERVICE DONE. " 140405 1.7C PERFORMED SHORT TEST. PERFORMED BACK TO NEW SPECIAL RESET SERVICE LIGHT INSPECTED INTERIOR COMPONENTS AND SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FUNCTION, CHECKED EXTERIOR LIGHTS FOR PROPER FUNCTION, CLEANED AREA OF WIND DEFLECTOR AND CHECKED WIPER BLADES. EVACUATED ENGINE OIL AND REPLACED ENGINE OIL FILTER, TOPPED OFF ALL FLUIDS AND INSPECTED AREA OF ENGINE FOR DAMGES OR LEAKS, LUBRICATE DOOR HINGES, LIFTED…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,404 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10548628 · 2013-10-20 (October 20, 2013)
ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR LOSES POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. NO CHECK ENGINE ALERT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON. THE CAR STARTS AGAIN ONCE I PULLED OVER AND STARTED THE IGNITION AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE LAST TIME I WAS COASTING DOWNHILL AROUND 40 MILES AN HOUR AND, WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, THE CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ON ALL 4 TIRES CAME ON. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE CHECK TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577540 · 2014-04-05 (April 5, 2014)
GAS TANK FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE CAUSING INACCURATE READINGS. ONE INCIDENT MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FAST LANE AND GAS GAUGE INDICATED 1/2 TANK OF FUEL REMAINING AND CAR STALLED BECAUSE OF NO FUEL CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION DUE TO NO AREA TO PULL OVER SAFELY. PLEASE REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 91,545 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10456264 · 2012-04-23 (April 23, 2012)
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR WHILE DIVING. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES POWER WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. I'M TOLD BY THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, $7000! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,021 miles reported. Look up ODI 10456264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10670770 · 2015-01-07 (January 7, 2015)
STARTING APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014, MY CAR SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR WHEN I FEEL UP THE FUEL TANK. WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, ENTIRE GARAGE SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE AS WELL. THE SMELL USUALLY WENT AWAY IN A FEW DAYS AND THE SMELL WASN'T TOO BAD IN THE BEGINNING AND I THOUGHT I WAS OVERREACTING. HOWEVER, ON 12/19/14, IMMEDIATELY AFTER I FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK, THE SMELL WAS SO BAD AND I HAD A TERRIBLE HEADACHE FROM SMELLING THE GASOLINE WHILE I DROVE THE CAR. SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERS…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10670770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11101061 · 2018-06-11 (June 11, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO DETACH. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BOLT, HARMONIC BALANCER, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101061 at NHTSA ↗