I took my car in for its annual service on January 21, 2021, and was told that the rear subframe and brake lines were so badly rusted that the car was unsafe to drive. The entire subframe and rear left and right brake lines had to be replaced at a cost of $5,300 (Mercedes Benz usa gave me a "good will" discount so I paid less than that amount). I am the original owner of this vehicle and I take meticulous care of it. It is parked in a garage, receives every recommended maintenance check at the same mechanic (euro motorcars bethesda, md) and has low mileage for its age. Only one year and 7,000 miles had elapsed between the car's last service and the discovery of the corrosion. In other words, in just one year the subframe of the car corroded to the extent that it was so unsafe to drive that according to the mechanic I am lucky that I did not get into an accident. I have owned many cars throughout my life for upwards of 10 years and none of them have had rust corrosion issues. I have to believe that there was something defective with the materials Mercedes Benz used on this vehicle's subframe. The NHTSA database shows that another person with the same vehicle (who coincidentally seems to have purchased his car at the same dealership where I purchased mine - euro motorcars bethesda) also filed a complaint for the exact same issue. How many other owners have had this problem but don't know that they can file a safety complaint with the NHTSA? the mechanic took a short video of the corrosion that I am not attaching to this complaint; please contact me if you would like me to send it.

- Garrett Park, MD, USA

I was driving and almost hit the car in front of me and the brakes light went on "low fluid" taking it to manhattan Benz and they charge me $8614.50 because they have to replace all the rusted brake lines. Iam 80 and max. Driving 5000miles/yr

- Staten Island, NY, USA

I have a model year 2013 Mercedes E350 that has a safety defect with rusted brake lines that should be investigated by your Agency. During a recent visit to the Mercedes dealer (euromotorcars in bethesda, Maryland), I was informed that my car has severely rusted brake lines that need to be replaced immediately at a cost of about $3300. I subsequently had my car inspected by an independent repair shop (star car auto service in rockville, Maryland) that confirmed the dealer's diagnosis that the brake lines are rusted and need to be replace. The service advisor at the dealership told me he has seen this issue on many cars like mine. As a retired senior, I have owed numerous vehicles (one car I owned for over thirty years) and never had to have the brake lines replaced on any of my cars. Having to replace the brake line on a seven year old car with only 37,000 miles is not acceptable by any standard and should be investigated by your Agency. I have attached the estimate from the dealer and pictures taken by the dealer of the rusted brake lines. I am concerned for my family's safety and for others on the road as a brake line failure could cause a serious accident resulting in injury or death. Please look into this serious issue of rusting brake lines on my 2013 Mercedes E350.

- Potomac, MD, USA