2012 Mercedes-Benz E350: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ABOVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY VIBRATE AGAINST HIS SHOULDER. THE SEAT BELT WOULD VIBRATE SO UNCONTROLLABLY THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TUCK THE BELT UNDER HIS ARM TO DRIVE SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…

Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10434134 at NHTSA ↗

I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. I CALLED MERCEDES SERVICE AND THEY SENT SERVICE TO JUMPSTART THE CAR. THE CAR FINALLY STARTED. AS I BEGAN TO DRIVE, A WARNING LIGHT STATING "POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION - CHECK OWNERS MANUAL" CAME ON. WITH CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULT, I AVOIDED THE CURB IN THE PARKING LOT AND MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO A PARKING SPACE. THE "POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION" INDICATOR WOULD NOT COME OFF EVEN AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN. THE CAR BECAME UNDRIVABLE. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458487 at NHTSA ↗

THE INTERIOR DASH VENTS (SHINY ITEMS) ARE REFLECTED UNTO THE SIDE MIRRORS MAKING IT DANGEROUS WHEN CHANGING LANES BECAUSE ONE CANNOT BE SURE WHAT ONE IS SEEING IN THOSE LANES BECAUSE THE REFLECTION IS VERY PRONOUNCE. THESE VENTS AND OTHER DASH ITEMS ARE ALSO REFLECTED ON THE WINDSHIELD, ALMOST LIKE AN OBSTRUCTION WHEN ONE IS DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE ADJUSTABLE FRONT SEATS, ARE SO UNCOMFORTABLE THAT ONE IS CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING THE SEAT SETTING WHILE DRIVING. THESE ISSUES CAN CAUSE QUITE A DISTRACTION AND ARE OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS. WHEN WE RE…

Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472816 at NHTSA ↗

LARGE BUBBLE (APPROX 2" ACROSS) ON OUTER SIDEWALL OF LEFT FRONT TIRE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO CAUSE THIS TIRE DEFECT. THIS IS THE SECOND SIMILAR INCIDENT WITH THESE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ON THIS MERCEDES BENZ E350 ARE: CONTINENTAL, CONTIPROCONTACT, 245/40 R18 97V. THESE TIRES DO NOT HAVE SIGNIFICANT TREAD WEAR. HAVING HAD 2 TIRE DEFECTS OUT 4 TIRES IN 8,500 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE, I AM AFRAID TO TAKE THIS CAR ON A ROAD TRIP AT HIGH SPEED. I AM AN ATTORNEY; THIS APPEARS TO ME…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500939 at NHTSA ↗

2012 MERCEDES BENZ E350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRES ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE EXPERIENCED THREE TIRE FAILURES, TWO AT THE SAME TIME, AND ONE ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION. THE CONSUMERS WIFE NOTICED A CUT IN ONE OF THE TIRES AND A BUBBLE IN ANOTHER, THE DEALER SATED IT WAS COSMETIC. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE, WITH THE BUBBLE. ON MAY 13, 2012, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A PUNCTURE CLOSE TO THE SIDEWALL.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10522355 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE STOPS ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. AT ALL OTHER TIMES, VEHICLE DRIVES NORMALLY. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER VEHICLE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND IT SEEMS THAT THE CAR IS NOT DOWN SHIFTING OR THE AUTO CLUTCH IS NOT ENGAGING TO ALLOW DOWN SHIFT WHILE ACCELERATING. IT DRIVES LIKE IT'S IN 4TH GEAR WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR IF IT WERE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND AS IF THE CLUTCH WAS NOT PUSHED IN FULLY WHILE SHIFTI…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,040 miles reported. Look up ODI 10541747 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESS WAY IN DALLAS, TEXAS MY GPS MADE AN ERROR CONCERNING AN EXIT AND I WAS REQUIRED TO DIVERT QUICKLY TO THE LEFT TO MAKE EXIT LANE .TIME WAS 6:00 PM ,HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE EXCELLENT AND DRY. MY MERCEDES PRE ACTIVATED A SKID MODE AND THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY A 70% CUT BACK IN ENGINE POWER .A YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SKID MODE CAME ON OPERATOR SCREEN BUT THERE WAS NO SKIDDING TAKING PLACE. I WAS HELPLESS WITH NO POWER TO KEEP UP WITH THE 50-60 MPH TRAFFIC WHILE TRYING TO GET …

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585027 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2012 MERCEDES E350 WITH 15000 MILES. IT HAS OEM TIRES MADE BY CONTINENTAL. CONTI PRO 245/40 R18 97V. I INCIDENTALLY NOTICED ON 7/23/14 THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAD A BUBBLE WHERE THE WALL WAS BULGING AND TIRE WAS SOFT. ON EXAMINATION OF THE OTHER TIRES, I SAW THAT 3 OF THE 4 TIRES WERE WEAK AND BUBBLES HAD FORMED. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 300 SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. THEY ASCRIBED IT TO THE FACT THAT MERCEDES HAS A "LOW PROFILE HIGH PERFORMANCE" TIRE. IF IT HITS A POTHOLE, THE TI…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616532 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2012-10-09 (October 9, 2012)

Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 E350 and E550 Coupe vehicles, manufactured April 2, 2012, through June 29, 2012. Improper stitching of the right side window curtain air bag may cause it to not deploy as intended in the affected vehicles.

Consequence: In the event of an accident necessitating the deployment of the right window curtain air bag, the improper stitching may cause it to deflate more quickly than intended, reducing the protection it may provide, resulting in an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right side window curtain air bag. The recall began on December 21, 2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

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.

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe 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 2009 C300 4Matic, C300, C350 and C63 AMG 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." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above MBUSA is recalling certain 2008 C300 4Matic, C300, and C350 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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 front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691

Reported: 2017-03-14 (March 14, 2017)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Reported: 2017-10-06 (October 6, 2017)

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.

Consequence: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

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.

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.