Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2011 Mercedes Benz E with NHTSA between 2010 and 2013.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Mercedes Benz E
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
327.3%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
327.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 100 mi
Steering
218.2%
Median failure at 300 miles
Electrical System
218.2%
Median failure at 55 miles
Airbags
19.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 7,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
660.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
220.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2010peak 2Sep 2013
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 7,000 milesDiamond BAR, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
NHTSA complaint #10419189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesPotomac, MDCrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 ROLL BACKWARDS. SHE COULDN'T REACH OVER THE CONSOLE TO HIT THE BRAKE. SHE TRIED PUSHING THE PARK BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE (72 HOURS OLD) STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A CAR BEHIND IT IN ANOTHER PARKING SPACE. FORTUNATELY, NOBODY WAS BEHIND THE CAR OR SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I SPOKE WITH MERCEDES CORPORATE WHO SAID THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTER HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 2006. THE SERVICE FOREMAN AT MY DEALER TOLD ME THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE COMPUTER SO THAT IF THE CAR ISN'T IN PARK AND THE KEY IS TURNED OFF THE TRANSMISSION WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SENSE NO ONE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK INTO PARK. HE EXPLAINED WITH THE KEY OFF HAD SHE OPENED THE DOOR THE PARK WOULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY HAPPENED. IT SEEMS THERE IS A SIMPLE FIX. IF THE VEHICLE IS BELOW 5 MPH AND SOMEONE HAS THE ENGINE RUNNING BUT OPENS THE DOOR TO GET OUT IT STILL SHOULD GO INTO PARK. THIS IS A SIMPLE PROGRAM FIX I WOULD GUESS. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A WARNING BELL OR VOICE COMMAND ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE ISN'T IN PARK. IT CAME TOO LATE FOR MY WIFE TO KNOW HAD SHE OPENED THE DOOR THE CAR WOULD HAVE LOCKED INTO PARK WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF. THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING POSTED TO ALL NEW OWNERS AND A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW TO BEST UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS KILLED BUT MY WIFE BEING TWISTED HEART HER BACK. NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SINCE THE DEALER HAS NO DESIGNATED FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10356174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 38,000 milesPeachtree City, GA
TIRES
TIRE TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM TIRE ON BACK OF TIRE. ALL FOUR TIRES ON VEHICLE DISPLAY TREAD SEPARATION APPROXIMATELY HALF CIRCUMFERENCE OF TIRE IS AFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10543982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesPeachtree City, GA
TIRES
ALL FOUR TIRES ON 2011 MERCEDES E550 HAVE TREAD SEPARATION. TREAD SEPARATION IS OCCURRING ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE TIRE AND IS UNKNOWN UNTIL THE TIRE BEGINS TO LOSE TIRE PRESSURE. TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MICHELIN RADIAL X TIRES. FAILURE BETWEEN 38,000-40,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10543992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morris Plains, NJ
TIRES
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 DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY MY "WAY OF DRIVING". RIDICULOUS! TIRE REPAIRMAN TOLD ME THESE RUN-FLATS ARE NOT FLEXIBLE AND HAVE A VERY THIN SIDEWALL SO IT GETS PUNCTURED BY THE RIM. SINCE MERCEDES DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TIRES FOR FREE, HOW DO I GET COMPENSATED FOR WHAT I PAID REPLACING THEIR TIRES?
NHTSA complaint #10440487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesDiamond BAR, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
NHTSA complaint #10419189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesNaples, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10403630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesNaples, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10394295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesEmerald Hills, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
E 350 2011 MERCEDES BENZ I OWN HAS PROBLEMS WITH GEAR SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING UPHILL.
NHTSA complaint #10392911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesSyosset, NY
STEERING
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
NHTSA complaint #10380206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesSyosset, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
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
NHTSA complaint #10380206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,898 milesRutherford, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 PROBLEM OCCURS ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. I SPENT SOME TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT GETS IN THIS MODE AND FROM WHAT I DETERMINED IS WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE IF YOU MOVE THE LEVER TO GO IN PARK YOU DON'T HEAR THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGE WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY BUT THE DIGITAL DISPLAY SAYS "PARK". THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT TRIGGER THE DISPLAY WHEN IT SHOULD IT SEEMS TO ME THE SHIFT LEVER DOES THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD TRIGGER THE DASH DISPLAY IF IT IS IN PARK OR DRIVE OR REVERSE TO ENSURE IT IS IN THE PROPER GEAR. THE SAME THING GOES FOR WHEN YOU ARE IN PARK AND PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL TIME THAT I LEFT MY CAR WHILE RUNNING THINKING IT WAS IN PARK AND IT START TO DRIVE FORWARD ONLY TO JUMP BACK IN AND PHYSICALLY TURN THE CAR OFF. THIS ISSUE OCCURS ONE OR TWICE A MONTH.
NHTSA complaint #10359582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesPotomac, MDCrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 ROLL BACKWARDS. SHE COULDN'T REACH OVER THE CONSOLE TO HIT THE BRAKE. SHE TRIED PUSHING THE PARK BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE (72 HOURS OLD) STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A CAR BEHIND IT IN ANOTHER PARKING SPACE. FORTUNATELY, NOBODY WAS BEHIND THE CAR OR SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I SPOKE WITH MERCEDES CORPORATE WHO SAID THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTER HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 2006. THE SERVICE FOREMAN AT MY DEALER TOLD ME THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE COMPUTER SO THAT IF THE CAR ISN'T IN PARK AND THE KEY IS TURNED OFF THE TRANSMISSION WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SENSE NO ONE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK INTO PARK. HE EXPLAINED WITH THE KEY OFF HAD SHE OPENED THE DOOR THE PARK WOULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY HAPPENED. IT SEEMS THERE IS A SIMPLE FIX. IF THE VEHICLE IS BELOW 5 MPH AND SOMEONE HAS THE ENGINE RUNNING BUT OPENS THE DOOR TO GET OUT IT STILL SHOULD GO INTO PARK. THIS IS A SIMPLE PROGRAM FIX I WOULD GUESS. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A WARNING BELL OR VOICE COMMAND ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE ISN'T IN PARK. IT CAME TOO LATE FOR MY WIFE TO KNOW HAD SHE OPENED THE DOOR THE CAR WOULD HAVE LOCKED INTO PARK WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF. THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING POSTED TO ALL NEW OWNERS AND A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW TO BEST UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS KILLED BUT MY WIFE BEING TWISTED HEART HER BACK. NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SINCE THE DEALER HAS NO DESIGNATED FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10356174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.