2009 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (26) · Engine (5) · Seats (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes-Benz E350 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
50 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Risk: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Risk: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Suspension:rear 2012-06-12 · campaign 12V264000 · 3,613 vehicles
Defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 E350 4MATIC WAGON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2006, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2009. A CONNECTING ROD FOR THE LOAD LEVELING REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM MAY FAIL.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER MAY HAVE REDUCED VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: MERCEDES-BENZ WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL THE CONNECTING RODS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (116)
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
Visibility/Wiper 2026-04-25 · PSL-NCU Return Parts 4/24 · Other
the part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing pdc. the deadline for all dealer returns is no later than thursday, may 14, 2026. after may 14th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. these parts should be
Showing the 6 most recent of 116 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-12 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 200,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2009 mercedes-benz e350. the sale was a private sale. the contact's friend, a dealer, requested a carfax report, which indicated that mileage was last reported at 200,000. in addition, the carfax report indicated that the last reported repair service was performed in 2014 and the mileage then was 66,000. the …”
2022-11-10 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust · 38,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz e350. the contact stated while driving 30 mph, the contact felt heat coming from the rear of the front driver seat and noticed smoke coming from the rear of the seat, causing the back of the driver’s seat to catch on fire. the contact was to pull over and noticed that the back of his shirt had caught on fire as…”
2022-07-14 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 147,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz e-350. the contact stated while driving 30 mph and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle started sputtering and stalled. the contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the roadway. the contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. the contact towed the vehicle to her residence five days late…”
2022-04-04 · Fuel/Propulsion System“this vehicle has a very profound strong gas smell inside and out of the car. upon further research, it has been notably stated that this particular vehicle model from years 2003-2009 had the same common issue that when refueling and topping off at full tank capacity, there is a fuel leakage seeping from the top of the gas tank which sits underneath…”
2022-03-21 · Engine“crank shaft balancer which is so common and an almost $9000 repair. car runs but can't smog or sell because it throws codes p0016 p0017. there is no word on many class action lawsuits about this online. how do we fix. this is a one owner car with problem for last 50k miles and no solution.…”
2022-01-26 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 132,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz e350. the contact stated while driving immediately after refueling, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed. the manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. th…”
2021-10-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i’m smelling gas fumes inside and outside of the car. i heard there was a 15 yr warranty on e class with this issue.…”
2021-03-15 · Steering · 157,382 mi“(1) when driving, the vehicle tends to drift back and forth in the lane. there is no evidence of losing steering fluid. what causes this to happen? (2) the transmission causes the vehicle to tremble when taking off from a stop position and also when driving at slow speedsuch as in slow street trafic.…”
2021-03-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 133,000 mi“serious smell of gasoline during and after refuelling. occurs while stationary.…”
2021-02-26 · Service Brakes“i just purchased a vehicle from a private party and we kept communicating for about 4-5 days. during that time the seller claimed he was the 2nd owner and that was great. then he posted pictures and videos of the car in a video and it looked in perfect condition. then after driving 3 1/2 hours to meet the seller and he lied about the year of veh…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.