18 of the 215 complaints about the 2013 Mercedes Benz E350 are about the body and structure — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.
18
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I took car to dealer to have subframe repaired due to rust and the brake lines are rusted as well due to this issue and i am being charged for the brake lines.
NHTSA complaint #11689488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the front end of the panoramic sunroof allowed water to leak into the vehicle during inclement weather. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further research, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V918000 (Visibility) and 21V197000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11633084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The brake lines leaked fluid brakes started failing. Brought to a repair garage. Advised that subframe is cracked and completely corroded. Mercedes is covering the subframe but not the inferior brake lines which are failing.
NHTSA complaint #11623609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Brake line corrosion and rear subframe corrosion
NHTSA complaint #11623729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rusted, corroded subframe. Diagnosed by dealer as unsafe to drive upon 70K service visit.
NHTSA complaint #11531351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle veered into another lane. Additionally, while her son was driving at high speeds, he detected a shimmy in the front end. While approaching a stop, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was slow to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11526073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Same problem that many others have reported. Took car dealer for a battery. Was told subframe is rusted and about $5000 to fix and that if not fixed could lead to car failure. 1) Why has Mercedes not informed the many thousand 2010-2014 C-Class and E-Class drivers affected by this dangerous defect. Many do not take their cars to the dealership for service anymore and could miss the problem until it is too late. 2) These cars have been recalled in Germany and elsewhere. Why not in the United States? 3) Is this situation up the the standards of NHTSA? If not why has a recall not been ordered? 4) Is there a difference in weighing customer safety against company bottom-line in the US compared to other countries? Thanks.
NHTSA complaint #11505557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being State Inspected, the vehicle failed due to a rusted subframe. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was sway coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. There was also a slight vibration coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11500788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that an abnormal, fuel odor was coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact later noticed a small leak coming from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel leak was caused by severe corrosion to the subframe. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11495598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, after depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was jerking and steering to the left independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 181,000. The contact stated that the rusty subframe was so bad that if a piece had broken off it could have punctured the gas tank. The contact paid for the repairs necessary to fix the issues.
NHTSA complaint #11493501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Subframe is rusting and will cause structural failure. If failure happens car stability will be compromised and therefore cause an accident. Detected and confirmed by independent service center. Not inspected by dealer or ins. No warnings triggered since system not set up for that detection. Part in such high demand that there is a 10 mo wait via several dealer parts depts.
NHTSA complaint #11493388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Upon routine maintenance visit to manufacturer dealer, was told that rear subframe assembly was corroded and could fail. Took vehicle to other local manufacturer dealer and they confirmed the same. Was able to catch the issue before incident, but was told subframe failure was imminent.
NHTSA complaint #11484408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11396413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUSPENSION ISSUES, I JUST PLACED 4 NEW TIRES ON MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2018. ON DEC 28, 2019 MY CAR FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS UNSCREWING ALL OF MY WHEELS OFF AND I SPENT OUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GET MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO SHARE GROUND CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS 100.000 MILES. MBUSA DIRECTED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE SPEC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND NEVER DID. I GOOGLED INFO REGARDING MY ISSUES AND SAW THIS SITE AND WAS LIKE WOW.
NHTSA complaint #11204983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUSPENSION ISSUES, I JUST PLACED 4 NEW TIRES ON MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2018. ON DEC 28, 2019 MY CAR FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS UNSCREWING ALL OF MY WHEELS OFF AND I SPENT OUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GET MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO SHARE GROUND CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS 100.000 MILES. MBUSA DIRECTED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE SPEC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND NEVER DID. I GOOGLED INFO REGARDING MY ISSUES AND SAW THIS SITE AND WAS LIKE WOW.
NHTSA complaint #11204985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUSPENSION ISSUES, I JUST PLACED 4 NEW TIRES ON MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2018. ON DEC 28, 2019 MY CAR FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS UNSCREWING ALL OF MY WHEELS OFF AND I SPENT OUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO GET MERCEDES-BENZ USA TO SHARE GROUND CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS 100.000 MILES. MBUSA DIRECTED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE SPEC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK AND NEVER DID. I GOOGLED INFO REGARDING MY ISSUES AND SAW THIS SITE AND WAS LIKE WOW. IT WAS RAINING AND I WAS DOING 60 MILES NOTHING MORE.
NHTSA complaint #11204992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AUTOHAUS OF PEORIA MERCEDES-BENZ (2322 W WAN WINKLE WAY, PEORIA, IL 61615, 309-740-0295) WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE BUT FAILED TO INFORM THE CONTACT OF THE DIAGNOSIS AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. *DT
NHTSA complaint #11143907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I PURCHASED THE CAR (CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED) ON DECEMBER 18, 2014. ON FEBRUARY 13, 2015 I WAS PARKING IN A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT THE CRASH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT A VEHICLE HAD RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. HOWEVER, IT TURNED OUT MY VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER CAR. I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPOT (WHICH WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE) AND WAS ABOUT TO PUT IT IN PARK WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE OTHER CAR INVOLVED AND FILED WITH MY INSURANCE. ONCE I HAD MY VEHICLE BACK, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IT FELT AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS MOVING BACKWARDS. I THEN TESTED THE CAR ON A SLIGHT INCLINE (5-10 DEGREES) AND WHILE IN DRIVE. IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE. THIS CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN AUTOMATIC ROLLING BACKWARDS WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION - ESPECIALLY ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS "NORMAL".
NHTSA complaint #10693628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.