Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2010 Mercedes Benz R350 with NHTSA between 2014 and 2023.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 14
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz R350. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2010 compares with every other Mercedes Benz R350
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2010 Mercedes Benz R350
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
750.0%
Median failure at 76,360 miles
Brakes
428.6%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
214.3%
Median failure at 71,000 miles
Suspension
17.1%
Median failure at 67,720 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
444.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
222.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
222.2%
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.
Oct 2014peak 2Apr 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2010 Mercedes Benz R350
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Lacey, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
I called the Dealership to schedule the appointment. They told me they have no appointment available for next 3 weeks and even I wait for that long they will not be able to provide me a loaner car. The total job time is 4-6hrs I am not willing to wait that long. This dealership was not helpful at all in-spite of this is a very serious safety concern. STOP DRIVE REMEDY. Worst Customer Service for the brand we have.
NHTSA complaint #11515770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCoram, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz R350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and became stiff. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a faulty brake booster. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11502857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesCoram, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz R350. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle made a squishing an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that as the speed increased to 15-20 MPH, the issue ceased. The contact stated that upon driving for an extended period, the brake pedal became stiff. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the dealer declined to honor the recall repair because the original brake booster had been replaced by the previous owner. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer needed to complete the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11501488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring Valley, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz R350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11492743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Darien, CT
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" STILL AWAITING REPAIR OF DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG NHTSA RECALL # 16V081 MERCEDES BENZ KEEPS TELLING ME THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART TO MAKE THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11192443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesDavie, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I CHECKED MY VIN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE TAKATA RECALL IN 2016, AND FOUND THAT MY CAR IS IMPACTED BY THIS RECALL. I THEN CONTACTED THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE AIRBAGS REPLACEMENT, BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WILL CONTACT ME ONCE THEY RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS. I KEPT CHECKING WITH THEM EVERY 3 MONTHS, BUT RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE. I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT TAKATA FILED RECENTLY FOR CHAPTER 11 IN THE US. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ USA FOR NEGLECTING TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR, AND FORCE THE COMPANY TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE AS PART OF THIS RECALL,
NHTSA complaint #11062920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Darien, CT
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE REPEATEDLY RECEIVED MAIL THAT MY R350 HAS HAD A SAFETY RECALL THAT URGENTLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. FOR OVER A YEAR I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING MY DEALER AND I AM TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. ACCORDING TO TAKATA, IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATORRUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULTIN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE REMEDY ONCE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE CUSTOMERS WILL BE SENT A LETTER ASKING THEM TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WHO WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES. RECALL CAMPAIGN 2016020003 OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-877-496-3691
NHTSA complaint #11057355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" TO DATE MERCEDES BENZ STILL HAS NO TIMELINE OR DATE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ON MY VEHICLE. THIS CRITICAL SAFETY RELATED RECALL IS OFFICIALLY ALMOST 2-YEARS OLD AND TO NOT HAVE PARTS YET AND OR A TIMELINE IS IRRESPONSIBLE. NOW WE ARE RECEIVING BANKRUPTCY "CHAPTER 11" NOTICES FOR "TAKATA" UNDER "CASE NO. 17-11375 (BLS)". THIS SAID NOTICE ADVISES US TO CALL OUR DEALER TO HAVE PARTS REPLACED; ONLY TO HAVE THE DEALER AND MERCEDES CORPORATE TO INFORM THAT THERE ARE NO PARTS! WHAT IS THIS? THIS IS HOW WE CONSUMERS AND OUR SAFETY ARE PROTECTED? DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR A CATASTROPHE BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED? PLEASE ADVISE AS TO HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR VEHICLE REPAIRED AND SAFE. LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY AND GUIDANCE THAT TO THIS POINT IS COMPLETELY LACKING.
NHTSA complaint #11040361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesKingsville, TX
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TWO MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY, BUT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10946391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesUnion City, NJ
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016 AND IT IS NOW NOVEMBER OF 2016 AND STILL NO PARTS. WE CAN'T SELL THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PASS THE PROBLEM ONTO ANOTHER PERSON AND MERCEDES WON'T GIVE US A LOANER SO WE HAVE A POTENTIAL RISK. TELLING US THAT IT IS A MINIMAL RISK DOESN'T HELP. THIS IS BEYOND IRRESPONSIBLE! CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE
NHTSA complaint #10925705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,700 milesHuntington, WV
AIR BAGS
CAR WAS HIT BY A POT HOLE AROUND 2 INCHES DEEP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND ALL THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO THE TIRES AND NOT EVEN A SCRATCH TO THE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #10860421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesDover, NJ
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A VALVE IN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #10823136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,720 milesLehigh Acres, FL
AIR BAGS
I HAD JUST ARRIVED AT CHURCH AND NOTICED THE CAR LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. I IGNORED IT AT FIRST THINKING MAYBE THE DRIVEWAY WAS UNEVEN. WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE MY BOYFRIEND POINTED IT OUT TO ME THAT THE TRUCK WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO BE CHECKED OUT AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. THERE WAS NO MESSAGE REGARDING ANYTHING ON THE MESSAGE BOARD EXCEPT SERVICE C WAS SO MANY MILES OVERDUE. CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY TOLD ME REAR AIR BAG. COST WOULD BE AROUND $1600. CANT UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALER WOULD NOT PUT A RECALL FIR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10648700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,720 milesLehigh Acres, FL
SUSPENSION
I HAD JUST ARRIVED AT CHURCH AND NOTICED THE CAR LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. I IGNORED IT AT FIRST THINKING MAYBE THE DRIVEWAY WAS UNEVEN. WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE MY BOYFRIEND POINTED IT OUT TO ME THAT THE TRUCK WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO BE CHECKED OUT AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. THERE WAS NO MESSAGE REGARDING ANYTHING ON THE MESSAGE BOARD EXCEPT SERVICE C WAS SO MANY MILES OVERDUE. CALLED MERCEDES AND THEY TOLD ME REAR AIR BAG. COST WOULD BE AROUND $1600. CANT UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALER WOULD NOT PUT A RECALL FIR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10648700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.