51 of the
214 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz E550
are about the suspension —
24% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
While under a hard stop the vehicle’s rear end started to swing back and forth suddenly causing loss of control of the vehicle. Mercedes Benz diagnosed the problem as a rusted through subframe which they’ve said is a “known issue” and extended the warranty on the part. The part is unavailable and there’s no ETA from Mercedes which means that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and cannot be repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11518503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is an ongoing issue with the front and rear air shocks. They don't inflate properly. Sometimes they inflate and sometimes they don't. This is a risk because my suspension system is not stable. The problem has been confirmed by Astorg Mercedes-Benz. Yes, the problem has been inspected by an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership. There was no indication beit warning lamps, messages, etc., before the issue happened.
NHTSA complaint #11508974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle felt like it was all over the road at highway speeds. Took it to a mechanic and the rear subframe had become weakened with premature rust. The mounting point for one of the rear suspension arms had broken off of the subframe and was making contact with my gas tank. I called the dealer to see if there were any recalls. No recalls for this issue however there are a few reports on this website. I have also been on forums for my vehicle and it is a VERY common problem on these vehicles. From what i gather this is a widespread issue, and the fact that it could possibly puncture a gas tank and cause serious injury that something should be done to correct the concern.
NHTSA complaint #11500100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I parked my car there was a loud hissing sound near left front end but no smoke or anything from under the hood. When I drove it again I received a warning of (MALFUNCTION) when I was turning left the front left tire was grinding on the actual car and barely made it home. The car warning turned red and said pull over car too low. When I parked the car the front left side is now sitting on tire and touching the ground. Unable to drive. Not been investigated by a mechanic, insurance, etc. There was also an airbag warning before this issue. The contact has stated that she is disabled, and the vehicle is not currently drivable.
NHTSA complaint #11493609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The air suspension started leaning heavily on one side after being parked for 12+ hours. And 2 days ago, while warming up the car, air suspension did not stop pumping air until front right air strut blew up. It was really loud and unexpected, I was lucky the car was not driven when the explosion happened. Checking through forums, most people who own W212 E-Class with airmatic suspension have issues with car lowering over night. This is a big Safety concern that might lead to blow out of the strut(or multiple)
NHTSA complaint #11469220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving Home Late Going 75 mph in Michigan when hitting brakes the car became unstable felt like it wanted to spin out of control. Hitting brakes at speeds above 30mph made car want to spin out of control.. Took car to MB dealer. Told them car was unsafe to drive and almost killed self hitting brakes.They test drove car and confirmed issue. MB mechanic put car on lift found the left control arm trailing arm bracket welds had rust of the rear suspension cross member subframe!! This has rendered car unsafe and Unoperational !! NHTSA needs to get involved force recall ! We are lucky to be alive!
NHTSA complaint #11453552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear K Frame front part has completely rusted out. Mount ripped trail arm. Both rear tires were ready to shoot off. This was confirmed by a mechanic when the car was being serviced after the check engine light came on one day before taking it to be serviced. The car is not drivable. It only has 60,000 miles on it. It was always serviced at the Mercedes dealers. It appears as a defective part.
NHTSA complaint #11435694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FREQUENTLY DROPS LOW TO THE GROUND WITH ERROR MESSAGE "VEHICLE TOO LOW". VEHICLE LOSES AIR SUSPENSION ABILITY TO DRIVE IN LOWERED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #11340500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR WAS BOUGHT IN 2017 WITH 100,000 MILES,EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD, NO SPECIAL ACTIVITY WITH THE CAR , NO LONG RIDES, JUST INSIDE THE CITY WHEN IT REACHED $120,000 MILES THE TWO REAR AIR SUSPENSION JUST BROKE DOWN FOR NO REASON, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NOW A YEAR AFTER THE 2 FRONT ONE JUST WENT DOWN FOR NO REASON, VERY BAD SURPRISES WHILE IN THE HIGHWAY FROM AIRPORT HOME THE CAR FELL DOWN THE RED LIGHT TO PULL OVER CAME UP AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE WAY, SINCE THE TIRES AND WHEELS COULDN'T TURN NO WHERE SINCE THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR JUST FELL DOWN SO BAD, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION
NHTSA complaint #11281658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR SUSPENSION APPEARS TO BE LEAKING. AFTER SITTING IN MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT THE BODY OF THE 2011 MERCEDES E550 IS LOWERED BY ALMOST 2 INCHES. WHEN I START THE CAR AFTER SITTING LESS THAN 24 HOURS, A PROMPT ON THE DASH INFORMATION SCREEN INDICATES "VEHICLE RISING, PLEASE WAIT". THE MERCEDES HAS JUST OVER 64,000 MILES. IN RESEARCH OF THE ISSUE, IT APPEARS TO BE A CHRONIC MALFUNCTION WITH THE W212 MERCEDES AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AS WELL AS SEVERAL HUNDRED TO 1-2 THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11228663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION ON THIS VEHICLE HAS PREMATURE WEAR AS DO MANY OTHERS. THE AIR SHOCK COMPONENTS LEAK AIR CAUSING THE CAR TO LOWER DANGEROUSLY TO THE GROUND. IT OCCURS STATIONARY, WHILE IN MOTION, AT VARIOUS DRIVING SITUATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11205945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM NOW OFFICIALLY ON MY 3RD SET OF WHEELS, 16 FLAT TIRES, AND NOW HAD TO REPLACE EVERY SINGLE COMPONENT IN THE AIR SUSPENSION ALMOST 8K INTO THE REPAIRS
NHTSA complaint #11205025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"CAR TOO LOW" WARNING CAME ON WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AND DROVE ABOUT A BLOCK; I PULLED OVER, LOOKED AROUND THE ENTIRE CAR AND THEN GOT BACK INTO MY CAR; THE 'CAR TOO LOW' WARNING HAD DISAPPEARED; THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE FENDER; I CONTACTED A LOCAL FOREIGN CAR REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUSPENSION HAD FAILED AND THAT BOTH SHOCKS (WHICH I WAS TOLD HAD AIR BAGS) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS CAR 500 MILES SINCE I PURCHASED IT THE 1ST OF FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR (2019) BUT NOW SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WITH RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MERCEDES CAR; IF I HAD KNOWN I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT.
NHTSA complaint #11195654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.