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2011 Mercedes-Benz E350: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

223 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

59,200 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 76 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 108 of 223 complaints (48.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior2310.3%
Fuel system concerns188.1%
Steering behavior125.4%
Transmission and shifting73.1%
Engine operation31.3%
Electrical and battery issues20.9%

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.

Air Bags
108
Fuel/Propulsion System
28
Unknown Or Other
18
Suspension
16
Engine
13
Service Brakes
13
Steering
11
Structure:Body
11
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags108
Fuel/Propulsion System28
Unknown Or Other18
Suspension16
Engine13
Service Brakes13
Steering11
Structure:Body11

Air Bags: 108; Fuel/Propulsion System: 28; Unknown Or Other: 18; Suspension: 16; Engine: 13; Service Brakes: 13; Steering: 11; Structure:Body: 11

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
10
25,000 to 49,999
23
50,000 to 74,999
17
75,000 to 99,999
15
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
6
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00010
25,000 to 49,99923
50,000 to 74,99917
75,000 to 99,99915
100,000 to 149,9995
150,000 and above6

Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 6

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 147 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.

2011
1
2012
2
2013
5
2014
3
2015
10
2016
13
2017
48
2018
35
2019
27
2020
9
2021
14
2022
17
2023
20
2024
9
2025
9
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20111
20122
20135
20143
201510
201613
201748
201835
201927
20209
202114
202217
202320
20249
20259
20261

2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 5; 2014: 3; 2015: 10; 2016: 13; 2017: 48; 2018: 35; 2019: 27; 2020: 9; 2021: 14; 2022: 17; 2023: 20; 2024: 9; 2025: 9; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 18 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 10441324 · 2011-12-27 (December 27, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 E350 MERCEDES BENZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL GATE WOULD UNLATCH AND OPEN SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441324 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10464808 · 2012-07-09 (July 9, 2012)

THIS VEHICLE FROM MERCEDES-BENZ, IN PARTICULAR 2011 E350 4MATIC WITH 18IN WHEELS DOES NOT MEET CERTAIN STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND DURABILITY AND POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. MY VEHICLE HAS ALL 4 WHEELS DENTED AND CRACKED FROM ROADS WITH NORMAL TO MINOR ROAD SURFACE ABNORMALITIES. THE WHEELS ON THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND DOES NOT MEET THE QUALITY STANDARDS EXPECTED, THEY CANNOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THESE WHEELS EASILY DENT AND CRACK AND CAN LEAD TO A DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THERE VEHICLE. I HAVE SO F…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464808 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10488321 · 2012-12-06 (December 6, 2012)

SUBJECT: FORWARDED FROM FMCSA REGARDING CONSUMERS COMPLAINT ABOUT MERCEDES BENZ TIRES. *SMD 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED THE SPORT PACKAGE VEHICLE, TWO YEARS AGO. HE HAD CHROME PUT ON THE WHEELS; THE ALLOY WHEELS WERE ORIGINAL. JUST CHROMED ON THE EXTERIOR. WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGED, THE TIRES DEFLATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, TO HAVE THE TIRES FILLED WITH NITROGEN. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER RAN OVER A POT HOLE AND TWO WHEELS AND TWO TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN JUNE 2012, HIS WIFE RAN OVE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10488321 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10522362 · 2013-06-24 (June 24, 2013)

I WAS COMING OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE. I PROCEEDED TO THE ENTRANCE TO GARAGE. THE STREET WAS NARROW FOR TWO CARS TO PASS BY. I MADE A RIGHT TURN FROM THE GARAGE EXIT TO THE NARROW STREET WITH 5 MPH SPEED. THERE WERE TWO CARS ABOUT 25 FEET AWAY ALREADY ON THAT STREET. THOSE TWO CARS WERE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN ON MAIN STREET AT THE T JUNCTION. SUDDENLY MY CAR ACCELERATED TO 45 MPH APPROXIMATELY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE DID NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN THE CAR. WITH THE BRAKE NOT WORKING AND THE CAR ACCELERATING VERY FAST, T…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,145 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522362 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10543847 · 2013-09-16 (September 16, 2013)

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON LAYTON AVE AND 43RD STREET, AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE HEADRESTS OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED, PUSHING MY NECK FORWARD. GRANTED I WENT OVER A HOLE NOT THAT BIG, BUT THE EXPLOSION WAS SO DRASTIC THAT IT PUSHED MY SEAT FORWARD AND MY NECK IS NOW SORE AND TENDER FROM THE IMPACT. I AM REALLY SCARE NOW THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WANT ME TO BRING THE CAR SO THE CAN RESET THE SYSTEM. I DON'T LIKE THAT IDEA, BECAUSE I GOT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND NOW THE VALUE REALLY C…

Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543847 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10549383 · 2013-10-24 (October 24, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DRIVER'S SIDE RIM BECAME BENT, CREATING A SHARP EDGE WHICH SLICED INTO THE TIRES. THE RIMS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,100.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10549383 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10550207 · 2013-10-29 (October 29, 2013)

2011 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RADIO AUTOMATICALLY TURNS ON WHEN GEAR SHIFT IS PLACED IN REVERSE MODE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER MANUALLY TURNING OFF THE RADIO, THEN PLACING THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE MODE, THE RADIO AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED TO THE ON MODE WHICH DISTRACTED AND INTERFERED HIS CONCENTRATION AND AWARENESS WITH REGARD TO SAFE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10550207 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10551326 · 2013-11-07 (November 7, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT DUE TO EXCESSIVE BIO DIESEL, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551326 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

12V557000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported: 2012-12-03 (December 3, 2012)

Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.

Consequence: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V363000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-26 (May 26, 2016)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, MBUSA is recalling certain model year 2008 C300 Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan and C300 4-Matic Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V010000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V638000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2021-08-13 (August 13, 2021)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.

Consequence: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA campaign record ↗