2011 Mercedes Benz E: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 10 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 30.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Tires: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Air Bags: 1; Steering: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 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 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 1 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 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2013 | 2 |
2010: 2; 2011: 6; 2013: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10359582 · 2010-10-07 (October 7, 2010)
YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE DIGITAL DISPLAY SAYS "PARK" BUT IT IS NOT. YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE DIGITAL DISPLAY SAYS DRIVE OR REVERSE AND CAR DOES NOT MOVE. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON THEN IT WILL START TO WORK PROPERLY AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTO'S OF THE ISSUE WITH THE RPM UP TO 4K AND THE CAR MPH AT ZERO AND IT SAYS "DRIVE" IN THE DISPLAY. I PROVIDED THE PHOTO'S MERCEDES AND THE DEALER AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,898 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10380206 · 2011-02-04 (February 4, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH IN REVERSE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITHIN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 350. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF UPDATED 10/26/11
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10380206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10392911 · 2011-03-25 (March 25, 2011)
E 350 2011 MERCEDES BENZ I OWN HAS PROBLEMS WITH GEAR SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10394295 · 2011-04-05 (April 5, 2011)
MERCEDES 2011 E550 HAS A SPEEDOMETER THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ AND REQUIRES EYE DIVERSION FROM THE ROAD TO AN UNSAFE EXTENT TO VIEW YOUR DRIVING SPEED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10394295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10403630 · 2011-05-28 (May 28, 2011)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MERCEDES 2011 E550. I FOUND THE SPEEDOMETER VERY DIFFICULT TO READ DURING DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS IT IS NOT LIGHTED. MY EYESIGHT IS 20/20). THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT TAKES YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD TOO LONG TO READ THE VERY DIM SPEEDOMETER. IT ALSO CAUSES ONE TO GO AT SPEEDS NOT EASILY CONTROLLED BY A NORMAL "GLANCE"AT THE SPEEDOMETER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10403630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10419189 · 2011-08-12 (August 12, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END CRASH. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS BUT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A RETURN CALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERE REDUCTION IN THE INJURIES S…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10419189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10440487 · 2011-12-19 (December 19, 2011)
5 MONTHS INTO MY 2011 MB E350 BLUETECH LEASE THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BLOWS ON A HIGHWAY. THE TIRES ARE RUNFLAT BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL400-02 MOEXTENDED 245/45R17 95H. STOPPED THE CAR AND SAW THE RIM MADE A CUT IN A SIDEWALL. NOT REPAIRABLE, HAD IT REPLACED. 45 DAYS LATER ANOTHER FRONT TIRE IS AGAIN BLOWN ON A HIGHWAY THE SAME WAY. PUT ON A SPARE AND ORDERED REPLACEMENT. 2 DAYS LATER - THIRD TIRE BLOWS THE SAME EXACT WAY. ALL INCIDENTS ARE ON THE ROADS I TRAVEL FOR 10 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY PREVIOUS CARS. COMPLAINED TO LOCAL D…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10440487 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V459000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
Reported: 2010-10-04 (October 4, 2010)
MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 C-CLASS, MODEL 204, E-CLASS, MODEL 212, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 E-CLASS COUPE/CABRIOLET MODEL 207 VEHICLES. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY FAIL DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID.
Consequence: OWNERS MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN AREAS, SUCH AS PARKING LOTS, WHERE MAXIMUM POWER STEERING IS REQUIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK AND RETORQUE THE CONNECTION FITTING FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V540000 · Fuel System, Other:Fuel Filter
Reported: 2010-10-29 (October 29, 2010)
MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 M-CLASS, MODEL W164, GL-CLASS, MODEL X164, E-CLASS, MODEL W212, R-CLASS, AND MODEL V251VEHICLES. THE O-RING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY LUBRICATED IN ALL CASES. LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN LEAD TO LEAKAGE OF THE FUEL FILTER.
Consequence: DIESEL FUEL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON ROADS AND MAKING THOSE ROADS SLIPPERY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372. THIS CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED . PLEASE SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 11V-496.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V213000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2011-04-01 (April 1, 2011)
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 E-CLASS MODEL W212 AND S212 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 8, 2010, THROUGH JULY 12, 2010. INSUFFICIENT ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE VIBRATION DAMPER AND ITS INNER MASS DAMPER RING COULD CAUSE A SUDDEN SEPARATION OF THE INNER MASS DAMPER RING FROM THE VIBRATION DAMPER.
Consequence: WHILE WORKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING ENGINE OPERATION, THE DAMPER RING COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE PERSON REPAIRING THE VEHICLE OR A BYSTANDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE PARTS AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V496000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 2011-10-03 (October 3, 2011)
MERCEDES-BENZ USA (MBUSA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VEHICLES INCLUDING E-CLASS (212 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2010 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2011, R-CLASS (251 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2010 THROUGH APRIL 2011, ML-CLASS (W164 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, GL-CLASS (X164 PLATFORM), MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2010 THROUGH MARCH 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 S-CLASS (221 PLATFORM) VEHICLES. THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA AROUND THE HEATING COMPONENT.
Consequence: DIESEL FUEL MAY BE DEPOSITED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: MBUSA WILL CONTACT OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DIESEL FUEL FILTER IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ USA AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗