2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
81,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 50 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 64 complaints (42.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 17 | 26.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.6% |
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 | 27 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 27; Air Bags: 6; Engine: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Seats: 4; Seat Belts: 3; Suspension: 3; Electrical System: 2
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 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 9; 2016: 6; 2017: 4; 2018: 5; 2019: 4; 2020: 10; 2021: 8; 2022: 5; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10452865 · 2012-03-24 (March 24, 2012)
REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 INCONSISTENT GAS SMELL FROM MY CAR AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10452865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552765 · 2013-11-18 (November 18, 2013)
STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES FROM CAR, ESPECIALLY AFTER REFUELING. FUME SMELL GOES AWAY AS TANK LEVEL GOES DOWN. BROUGHT CAR TO FLETCHER JONES MOTOR CARS IN NEWPORT BEACH, CA, AND THEY REPORTED A HIGH GAS TANK FUEL LEAK, WITH GASOLINE BUILDING UP IN BODY BEHIND REAR DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS HAPPENS TO BE WHERE MY 8-YEAR OLD SON SITS IN THE CAR - ON TOP OF EXPLOSIVE GASOLINE. MERCEDES BENZ DENIES THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE E350 FUEL TANK, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTED PROBLEMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10779986 · 2015-10-06 (October 6, 2015)
ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 1 THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY 2009 E350W MERCEDES BENZ BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE HEAT AND FLAMES FROM THE FIRE BURNED MY SHIRT. MY LEFT SIDE WAS ALSO BURNED. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, LEAP FROM THE CAR AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. IT WAS ONLY BY GOD'S GRACE THAT I AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND POSSIBLY FATALITIES. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE BEVERLY HILLS MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTER TO ALERT THEM OF THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE CAR TOWED …
Owner-reported narrative. 37,770 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11096499 · 2018-05-17 (May 17, 2018)
VEHICLE HAS STRONG EXTERNAL GAS ODER EMANATING FROM THE DRIVER'S REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND IS MORE PREVELANT AFTER FILL UP AND PARKING IT. IT IS A CONCERN TO MY SAFETY THAT GASOLINE MAY BE LEAKING AND A ELECTRICAL SPARK OR IMPACT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE/EXPLOSION.
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11096499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10760310 · 2015-08-31 (August 31, 2015)
I WAS DRIVING MY MERCEDES E350 ON I-95 NORTH BOUND SOMEWHERE NEAR PHILADELPHIA. MY FAMILY INCLUDING MY WIFE AND MY TWO SONS WERE ALSO ON THE CAR. SOMEHOW, ALL OF SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER CONTROL, WHICH IS, THE VEHICLE QUICKLY SLOWED DOWN AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT I KEPT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE (I BELIEVE THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN FOR SOME REASON). I HAD TO USE HAZARD SIGNALS TO WARN THE VEHICLES OF THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME. MEANWHILE, MY SON ADVISED ME TO PRESS THE SOS BUTTON OF MY VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY SOME DR…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10760310 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11403170 · 2021-03-15 (March 15, 2021)
(1) WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO DRIFT BACK AND FORTH IN THE LANE. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF LOSING STEERING FLUID. WHAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN? (2) THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO TREMBLE WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION AND ALSO WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDSUCH AS IN SLOW STREET TRAFIC.
Owner-reported narrative. 157,382 miles reported. Look up ODI 11403170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311354 · 2020-02-25 (February 25, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN ADDITION THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER TORSO AND CHEST PAINS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. INJURIES TO THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,370 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11473869 · 2022-07-14 (July 14, 2022)
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-350. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started sputtering and stalled. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence five days later. The contact used an OBD reader to determine that the failure was associated with the fuel system. The contact replaced the fuel relay and fuses, fuel pump and fuel filter herself; however, the vehi…
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11473869 at NHTSA ↗