10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,092 miles

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problem #24

Jun 242024

E350

  • miles
I received a letter from Mercedes stating there was concern over 2010 to 2014 (est) that should be checked after 10 years. I can not find that letter. I have a 2014 EClass 350 model. Can you please tell me what is was? Thanks

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #23

Apr 032023

E350

  • miles
The rear subframe of my vehicle failed at the lower trailing arm mounting point (passenger side). This resulted in the car swerving to the right when I applied pressure to the brake pedal, which was worse at higher speeds. This had been getting progressively worse for a few weeks until I almost spun out on the highway while braking. The next day, I randomly got a flat tire on the rear right side while driving at 30MPH near Valley Street in Providence. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. I immediately replaced the tire and brought it to Midas on Mineral Spring Ave in North Providence, RI, so that they could inspect the vehicle. They discovered that the rear subframe was almost completely disconnected at the lower trailing arm mounting point due to excessive rust that had wore a hole in the part from the inside-out, which was not visible at the time of the last inspection. Midas immediately informed me that the car was unsafe to drive more than the distance back to my house. They also informed me that 3 tires needed to be replaced, including the flat, as a result of excessive wear on the inner wall and the inner edge of the tread. None of these three tires had reached the wear bars yet, and Midas confirmed they would not have had to be replaced if not for the subframe defect. I had the car towed to Mercedes-Benz of Warwick after Midas replaced the 3 tires (RL, RR, FR) because I heard that Mercedes had recently extended the warranty period for rear subframes (only months after a class action lawsuit was filed about the issue). Mercedes inspected the vehicle and confirmed the issue, and is currently replacing the rear subframe under the new extended warranty program for rear subframes. However, they refuse to reimburse me for the other issues directly caused by the corroded rear subframe (which they admit liability for when they replace the part free of charge), stating they have been instructed by corporate that related issues are not covered.

- Lincoln, RI, USA

problem #22

Jan 162023

E350

  • miles
The subframe of my vehicle is prematurely rusting, creating the risk of unpredictable, catastrophic failure. This failure could cause loss of control of the vehicle and severe injury and/or death. The vehicle is available for inspection. My independent mechanic is aware this is a known problem with these vehicles, and has been monitoring mine, and his mother-??s, for damage. By August 2023, my vehicle will fail Pennsylvania-??s safety inspection. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by any entity other than my mechanic. There is no warning, from any system of the vehicle, of the deterioration, extent of deterioration, or impending failure of the subframe.

- Pittsburgh , PA, USA

problem #21

Sep 132022

E350

  • miles
I brought my car into Mercedes on 9/13/2022 and was told my brake lines and subframe were rusting. It's a 2014 with only 80k miles on it. I was told I had a year before it needed to be replaced/addressed. I brought the car in again on December 12, 2022 and they said on a scale of 1-10 the subframes and brake lines were a 7 and were a safety issue. After doing some research, I am clearly not the only owner of this model dealing with this issue. This is safety issue and should be recalled. Subframes and brake lines should not rust so quickly.

- Paramus, NJ, USA

problem #20

Nov 152022

E350

  • miles
I own a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350, 4matic. that yeah car has approximately 64,500 miles on it. I recently Took it in for service and was advised that the rear subframe has a whole rusted through on the left side. The dealers advice was to replace the rear subframe. I was advised that it is not presently a safety issue, but it was going to be a safety issue as the rust continued. I was dubious about this advice, so I took the vehicle to a second dealer, who also identified the rust issue in the same area. Both dealer representatives advised that they had seen these issues before with the 350 class, and that there had been many complaints about them. I am aware that MB has replaced subframes on this group of cars in Germany and in Canada already-?"this is a well-known issue. The repair will cost between 3,800-5,000, but my real concern is that the subframe will fail and cause injury or death before it can be repaired. I do not believe this to be ordinary wear and tear as the car is relatively young, and rust is a very controllable problem with current vehicle technology. I am concerned that the scope of this problem is widespread, as both dealer representatives said that they had seen many cars with this issue. It needs to be recalled and repaired before people are injured or die.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #19

Nov 282022

E350

  • miles
Driver's side rear subframe has rusted to the point metal is split open. This was found during routine maintenance service at dealer. While braking the vehicle pulls to the left. If not replaced, wheel can fall off.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #18

Oct 112022

E350

  • miles
The 2014 E350 4matic was diagnosed by the Dealer with a cracked rear subframe. When I questioned that is this common with a 2014 model EClass they were not sure. Calling MB USA they felt there weren't any complaints. When I called 9 different dealers in the USA looking for a NEW subframe for the E-Class, the common response was we are receiving many calls about replacing the subframe due to issues / cracked frame/rust, etc. They were all surprised and felt this is odd that this model would have so many subframe issues. MBUSA denied any issues as far as any structural issues. Very odd that my 2014 with approx 100k miles (garaged all the time) has subframe issues.

- Ridgefield, CT, USA

problem #17

Sep 162022

E350

  • miles
The subframe on this vehicle is broken I took it to an independent dealer and they said they have never seen anything like this on a car this old. The Mercedes dealer told me that it would cost me $5000 for them to fix it about 3 weeks ago but said it's rusting and beginning to crack. But never said it was something that needed to be addressed immediately. Upon further research it seems to be a common issue on this make and model on the right side. https://

- Clayton, DE, USA

problem #16

Jul 282022

E350

  • miles
The Rear Subframe Unit of this 2014 E-Class E212 is diagnosed as rusted and rotted out on this 8 year old vehicle. The poor quality of this part from Mercedes Benz is known to be an underlying, hidden risk factor to the stability of the vehicle. This is a hidden/underlying area of the vehicle, not visible to the driver/owners, that without cause, can break free from the main frame structure of the vehicle and create a stability factor when cornering and braking, causing swaying of the rear and owner panic when abruptly stopping. I had this vehicle serviced at Catonsville Mercedes-Benz since I purchased the vehicle on April 14, 2017. On my last visit on December 19, 2019 having only 40,051 miles. No physical evidence know to me during this inspection. The vehicle has been hardly used. My next service was done on July 28,2022, having only 49,250 miles. That's just 9,299 miles and just over 2 years later, no harsh weather conditions, and the dealership has confirmed that this subframe has rotted out and rusted nearly thru. The service writer informed me that this is a serious condition that can break apart and lead to a very serious accident. Depending on certain driving conditions, if this breaks apart unknowingly, can be catastrophic. Mercedes Benz advertised greatly the ultimate safety features of its products, only to be realized, that it has used poor quality galvanized steel on a major structure of its framework to save cost. Mercedes provides a 3 year/36,000 mile and a 5 year 50,000 mile powertrain warranty which neither covers this. Galvanized steel has a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years resulting in deterioration, which Mercedes knowingly intends to pass this repair cost to the owners. This vehicle was inspected by a certified authorized Mercedes Benz dealership. Warning lights, message sensors are not installed on this part. No other parts surrounding this component show any signs of rust, rot or deterioration. I feel unsafe to drive or place family within.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #15

Aug 012022

E350

  • miles
This car has an electrical problem related to the Radio Amplifier and Speakers. many stories on the net of burning wire speakers and amplifier related to this. i will attach link, my story same as all the rest. I have disconnected after wife complained of smell of electrical fire and smoke from speakers. our car hs Apc 56,000 miles now. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Mercedes-Benz/E350/2014/electrical/electrical_system.shtml Control Module - Mercedes-Benz TYP: Sirius -?" SDAR HW: 212 870 57 89 Date: 12/2019 SW: 212 902 79 03 Date 12/26/2000 Serial: 063005830376 Mercedes A 212 870 56 89 Model# DL5938 DELPHI Q01 PN: 28335938 Bar Code# A21287056890128335938E1361307 I am unable to access the speakers that burned and let the smoke out. Kurt Kaufman

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 132022

E350

  • miles
I want to report a structural issue with the Mercedes rear subframe rusting. Three Mercedes dealers told me that it is common but there is no recall. The mechanic told me that if this is not corrected the back wheel will fall off while you are driving. There are no warning lamps. Please help.

- Great Falls, VA, USA

problem #13

Mar 072022

E350

  • miles
The car was brought in for scheduled maintenance and they told me that my rear sub frame rusted out and had snapped. Car is only 7 years old, always garaged, basically a main part rusted out. Mercedes prides itself on durability and safety. There were no warning lights, alarms, nothing. Whenever I braked the rear end of the car would slide to the left and I had to try and adjust accordingly. Prior to bringing the car in for its maintenance I was reluctant to drive it on highways and at higher speeds. Now that I am aware of the problem, had the rear of the car given out while I was on a highway, I had the potential to roll over and possibly blown up had the gas tank been impacted. I researched the issue on Google and found many instances of others having the same issue, with the same part, luckily no one appears to have been killed as yet. As I mentioned this was never picked up during all the scheduled maintenance work, nor state inspections, all handled by this dealership. The dealership is in the process of replacing the part and all work associated with that replacement. I don't know if they kept the part or tossed it out, but will ask. No one else has seen the car or rusted part other than the dealership. I'm also sending you a copy of the letter I sent to he dealership and Mercedes-Benz Home Office.

- Lower Gwynedd, PA, USA

problem #12

Jun 212021

E350

  • miles
Mercedes Benz E350 2014 - Panoramic Sunroof rattling and squeaking noise/sound: This issue has been reported by many online, and it is a well known problem with E350. It starts with a little bit of squeak and metallic rattle noise here and there, and then after a year or so it is almost happening all the time as you drive the car. Dealer states that Sunroof Frame bolts have to be retorqued and loose bolts which rattle around have to be put back on. Estimated cost $712. If not a safety risk causing Pano sunroof to eventually fly off, it should definitely be a recall as many E350 owners have reported the same issue, and it is a manufacturer defect.

- Boxfrod, MA, USA

problem #11

Oct 232020

E350

  • 55,450 miles
Burning smell inside the car and static and crackling noise from the speaker system. Noise continued with engine off. Vehicle was taken to the Mercedes Benz dealer for repairs. The sound amplifier and the center dash speaker were found to be burnt. They replaced the sound amp., flash & scn code command unit, and satellite radio control unit

- Alpine, NJ, USA

problem #10

Sep 212020

E350

  • 57,750 miles
After driving for 1 hour, back seat shelf speaker made a loud popping and humming noise and emitted a strong burning smell. Trunk opened and confirmed smoke coming from rear amplifier, strong smell of plastic melting and speakers were too hot to touch. Disconnected amplifier from battery and took vehicle to dealer who confirmed. Dealer re-hooked amplifier to battery, confirmed that amplifier was indeed smoking and speakers would need replacing as well. Vehicle only has 57,750 miles and is out of warrantee. Local dealer maintenance representative agreed that a vehicle with such low mileage should not be catching fire but dealer would not cover cost of repair.

- Brookeville, MD, USA

problem #9

May 122014

E350 6-cyl

  • miles
I was easing into my garage and suddenly the car accelerated and the brakes would not work.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #8

Apr 012020

E350

  • 0 miles
My 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350S wagon has known defective wood trim that has faded within 5 years and has became cloudy, and deteriorated over time due to inadequate uv ray protection. There have been several law suites for models 2009 to 2016. The dealer and Mercedes-Benz usa headquarters told me that that the wood would have to be replaced at my cost. This is a known defect and the dealers have been told to sell cars and don't mention that the wood would fade over time.

- Beverly Hills, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 202019

E350

  • 68,000 miles
While driving the onboard computer failed resulting in all the warning lights going on and disabling the power steering. My mechanic determined that it was due to the blind spot sensors which are located in the rear bumper going bad because of salt corrosion. Wrote to Mercedes but have not received even a response. See the attached letter in the documentation section.

- Millerton, NY, USA

problem #6

Dec 102018

E350

  • 78,000 miles
Pre safe collision warning- the lights beeps when there is nothing in front our next to me. It is very distracting. I took the car in to the dealer three times already for the same problem. Now it is still beeping. There needs to be a recall because it is very distracting and can cause an accident.

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

problem #5

Dec 032018

E350

  • 60,500 miles
I was driving on route 40 (speed limit 55mph, but 45 mph due to construction) when I began hearing rattling in my rear passenger side speaker, then crackling, a burning smell and then smoke filled my vehicle. I believed my vehicle was on fire. Had I not remained calm, I could have caused an accident. I ended up driving to a nearby walmart parking lot where I left my vehicle until it was towed to the dealership for a diagnostic. The tow truck driver also confirmed smelling the burning upon starting my vehicle to pull it onto the tow truck. This happened although no audio was being used in the vehicle. I googled the issue and located similar stories on mbworld.org forum dating back to 2016. The issue is melting harmon kardon speakers in the 2014 E350 model. Speakers do not melt as a part of normal wear and tear, but because of poor wiring, adhesive and/or craftsmanship. My service advisor called me today and confirmed my suspicions that the rear passenger speaker had in fact melted and my front driver side speaker is also in the process of suffering the same fate. Both need replacing. Because my vehicle has been out of warranty for just over a year, there are no recalls for this issue and it is not a "known issue" I am expected to pay out of pocket for 2 malfunctioning/ melting speakers caused by the manufacturer. This is a safety issue, could have caused both an electrical fire in my vehicle (near my gas tank) and me to have gotten in an accident. Please issue a recall before someone is seriously hurt.

- Belcamp, MD, USA

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