2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
161 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
44,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 65 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 161 complaints (29.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 24.2% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 3.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 47 |
| Service Brakes | 29 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Structure:Body | 14 |
| Suspension | 13 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Steering | 10 |
Air Bags: 47; Service Brakes: 29; Engine: 15; Unknown Or Other: 15; Structure:Body: 14; Suspension: 13; Electrical System: 12; Steering: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 96 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2013: 3; 2014: 6; 2015: 6; 2016: 3; 2017: 7; 2018: 13; 2019: 28; 2020: 17; 2021: 20; 2022: 14; 2023: 12; 2024: 17; 2025: 12; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 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 10573213 · 2014-03-18 (March 18, 2014)
CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY IN SPITE OF FOOT ON BRAKE. AT TIMES FOOT WAS PUT LIGHTLY ON THE GAS AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10585675 · 2014-04-30 (April 30, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE "RISK OF ROLLING AWAY, NOT IN PARK" WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY SCREEN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,500. UPDATED 6/18/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATIONS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/24/14
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10810500 · 2015-12-15 (December 15, 2015)
THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL UP AND/OR DOWN BECOMES INOPERABLE. HOWEVER THE IN & OUT ADJUSTMENT STILL WORKS. THIS MAKES PROPER STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG LOCATION IMPOSSIBLE. IT WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT IN THE PROPER/COMFORTABLE POSITION. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND THIS APPARENTLY IS A KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM. A PLASTIC PART CALLED THE COUPLING COLLAR, PART #A203 462 06 78 BREAKS AND RENDERS THE UP AND DOWN ADJUSTMENT IMPOSSIBLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS COVERS MULTIPLE MOD…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10810500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993837 · 2017-06-07 (June 7, 2017)
THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL UP AND/OR DOWN HAS BECOME INOPERABLE. HOWEVER THE IN & OUT ADJUSTMENT STILL WORKS. THIS MAKES PROPER STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG LOCATION IMPOSSIBLE. IT WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT IN THE PROPER/COMFORTABLE POSITION. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND THIS APPARENTLY IS A KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM IN MERCEDES BENZ AUTOMOBILES. SAFE ADJUSTMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE. VEHICLE STATIONARY.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,028 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11416128 · 2021-05-11 (May 11, 2021)
I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS IN THE GARAGE WHENEVER THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE MERCEDES DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING GAS. THE VEHICLE HAS A METAL GAS TANK AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BUILT INTO THE GAS TANK AND THEREFORE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4209.65.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,913 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444940 · 2021-12-25 (December 25, 2021)
Gas smell from left rear of vehicle wheel well. As fuel smell inside of car
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11366677 · 2020-10-27 (October 27, 2020)
TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER. OUR MERCEDES ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 44,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442072 · 2021-11-30 (November 30, 2021)
Automatic Transmission shifts into Park while driving under 6km/h - resulting in sudden stops when pulling onto a road or into an intersection. The creates very unsafe driving conditions. Please refer to attached XENTRY Bulletin issued: Daimler AG 7-09-2015
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10766539 · 2015-09-21 (September 21, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10766539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11053619 · 2017-12-09 (December 9, 2017)
PRE-SAFE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SEE OPERATORS MANUEL INSTRUCTED TO TAKE TO DEALER.REPAIR INVOLVES DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN WARNING LIGHT CAME ON.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11053619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418645 · 2021-05-26 (May 26, 2021)
A Summary of the May 9, 2021, event follows: 6:30 a.m: I Woke up, put on gym clothes and shoes and drove to gym (1 mile from home). 7:01:40 a.m. Turned into the gym parking lot and slowly inched into a parking space. (my Mercedes rides low in the front so I pull in slowly so the block will not scrape my bumper). 7:02:00 a.m. As I pull slowly into the parking space the car stalls and the engine begins revving very loud. I firmly press my right foot (foot was already on the brake as I was inching into the space) on the brake because the car is st…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418645 at NHTSA ↗