2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
38,212 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 51 complaints (15.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 15.7% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 15.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 9.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7; Air Bags: 6; Engine: 5; Power Train: 5; Steering: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 23 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2015: 1; 2016: 5; 2017: 5; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 7; 2021: 8; 2022: 6; 2023: 5; 2024: 7; 2025: 1; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10947642 · 2017-01-25 (January 25, 2017)
MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING THRU INTERSECTION WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT. I HIT THE BRAKES, BUT STILL CRASHED INTO SIDE OF OTHER VEHICLE AT 20-25 MPH. MY VEHICLE HAD FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT IT DID NOT HOLD ME TO THE SEAT. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST AND HAD TO GO TO HOSPITAL FOR X-RAYS. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER SAID I WAS NOT GOING FAST ENOUGH TO DEPLOY AIR BAG. THAT IS NOT TRUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11408469 · 2021-04-16 (April 16, 2021)
MY 2016 MERCEDES E-350, WHICH I BOUGHT 2 YEARS AGO AS A CPO VEHICLE FROM A MERCEDES DEALER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE E-PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER IN MARCH TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED, AND WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE PARKING BRAKE CABLE AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I ASSUMED THIS WAS A COVERED REPAIR, ESPECIALLY WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GIVEN ON CERTIFIED VEHICLES, AND THE FACT THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. HOWEVER THE DEALER SAID IT IS NOT COVERED BY MERCEDES AND WOULD COST ME OVER $2500 TO REPAIR. I CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11408469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820475 · 2016-01-15 (January 15, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING SYSTEM SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE MESSAGE "MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO BOTH HANDS DURING THE CRASH, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311093 · 2020-02-24 (February 24, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ E350W. CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (MERCEDES-BENZ OF WEST HOUSTON 1025 HIGHWAY 6 N, HOUSTON, TX 77079, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG GASKET SEAL, CABLE CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V177000 (ELECTRIL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 41,166 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11394574 · 2021-02-03 (February 3, 2021)
WHEN I TRY TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE CAR IS STUCK IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IF THE CAR IS IN REVERSE OR IF THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND YOU USE THE GEAR SELECTOR TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK OR CHANGE AND GEAR THE VEHICLE DOES NOT CHANGE THE GEAR. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE CERTIFIED PREOWNED FROM MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2019 THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT CERTIFIED AND THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD HAVE INJURY AND OR DEATH. THE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER IS STATING THERE WAS A FAULT CODE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10954937 · 2017-02-15 (February 15, 2017)
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE 722.9 7G-TRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES GET STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. THE ENGINE SPEED ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY EXCEEDS 5000 RPM. THE CAR MUST BE IMMEDIATELY DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE TRANSMISSION WILL THEN SHIFT PROPERLY UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT FAILS WHICH COULD BE AT ALMOST ANY TIME. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WHICH MERCEDES BENZ HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS. ONLY MERCEDES BENZ WILL REPAIR THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY WILL NOT ALLOW 3RD PARTIES ACCESS TO THE REPAIR PA…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448342 · 2022-01-21 (January 21, 2022)
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while shifting between the lower gears, the vehicle would shift roughly resulting in the vehicle jerking while driving. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was transferred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage…
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11448342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11603751 · 2024-07-22 (July 22, 2024)
The fuel pump assembly Seals leaked fuel into my vehicle and saturated the interior of my car
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11603751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11750938 · 2026-07-16 (July 16, 2026)
The rear subframe is defective and subject to premature corrosion and failure of parts that connect to the rear suspension. Due to the fracturing of the joints connecting to the suspension, my car was at risk of going out of control when needing to brake at higher speeds. The way the suspension component broke also risked damage to the gas tank if the car was driven over a large bump or pot hole. The problem was diagnosed by an independent repair service. The corrosion is not visible to an owner. It does not impact any body panels - onl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11750938 at NHTSA ↗