2005 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (3) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz E350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (83)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 83 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-02-06 · Service Brakes · 260,000 mi · 💥 crash“hi, i was driving normaly on a road, no warning, just brake light pops up to reduce power. pedal was empty and steering got hard no upshift. i hit a curb and cracked my bumper. all brakes are new. when i looked on line, i saw some people developed a device that resets the abs mudual to 100%. they said mercedes put a timer in the system that runs ou…”
2021-01-18 · Seats · 192,000 mi“the car will sometimes think there is someone riding in the passenger seat when no one is there. it causes the seatbelt light and the warning beeps to occur. its a safety hazard because its a distraction while driving and it would set off the airbags for that side of the vehicle if anything is to happen.…”
2020-12-18 · Steering · 183,000 mi“the steering wheel adjustment doesn't go up. it doesn't work stationary or in motion.…”
2020-09-13 · Unknown Or Other · 136,000 mi“eis module and key failed while on freeway, causing car to lose all gauges radio and ending with not being able to start vehicle on side of freeway. now this is going to cost me 1300 dollars.. car has been greatly taken care of and well maintained. no reason that this should happen. i could of wrecked bc the turn signals stopped working as well in …”
2020-06-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my vehicle fills with the smell of gasoline so badly that it makes me physically ill. i have to drive it with all the windows open to try to tolerate the smell and even then, the overwhelming stench of gasoline is palatable enough to taste, cause headaches, and nausea. this started a couple months ago with a slight smell and has gotten steadily wo…”
2020-05-27 · Service Brakes · 85,000 mi“brake dash warning light comes on intermittently. i have had brakes checked, not a problem with pads or sensors. the brake dash indicator will illuminate for several days, then go out and not come on again for several days or weeks. *tr…”
2020-05-05 · Visibility/Wiper“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e350. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. a dealer was not made aware of the issue. the ma…”
2018-10-11 · Service Brakes · 130,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz e250. while driving 50 mph, the brakes failed to operate when the brake pedal was depressed. the vehicle coasted until it came to a complete stop. the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to carlton motorcars inc. (2446 laurens rd,…”
2015-11-05 · Structure:body · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e350. the contact stated that the windshield molding melted that held the windshield in place. the molding that held the side windows together also melted. the contact believed the vehicle was being hacked. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. the failure mileage w…”
2014-05-12 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank · 82,959 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e350. the contact stated that there was a gasoline smell outside and inside of the vehicle when the fuel tank was filled. the vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, who replaced the fuel tank to repair the vehicle. the manufacturer was notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 82,95…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.