2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (80) · Fuel/Propulsion System (24) · Engine (13)
🧭 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
68 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Air Bags:frontal 2021-08-13 · campaign 21V638000 · 205 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 E400 Coupe, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Coupe, and 2012-2014 E350 Cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Risk: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-09 · campaign 19V010000 · 288,779 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Z
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air Bags:frontal 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V627000 · 495,290 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Cou
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Electrical System:software 2017-03-14 · campaign 17V177000 · 51 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C30
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-10 · campaign 17V017000 · 104,119 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017. Second notices started going out in October 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691
Fuel System, Gasoline 2012-12-03 · campaign 12V557000 · 5,800 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.
Risk: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Air Bags:side/Window 2012-10-09 · campaign 12V492000 · 499 vehicles
Defect: Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 E350 and E550 Coupe vehicles, manufactured April 2, 2012, through June 29, 2012. Improper stitching of the right side window curtain air bag may cause it to not deploy as intended in the affected vehicles.
Risk: In the event of an accident necessitating the deployment of the right window curtain air bag, the improper stitching may cause it to deflate more quickly than intended, reducing the protection it may provide, resulting in an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right side window curtain air bag. The recall began on December 21, 2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (151)
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,
Electrical System 2026-08-06 · LI82.85-P-079087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint a popup is seen on the hu with the message "data connection temporarily not available". potentially affected functionalities in ntg4.5, ntg5 1.weather 2.local search 3.ip radio 4.send2car 5.speech detection service 6.navigation 7.iheartradio 8.traffic cams cause mb apps is sundowned for al
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
Exterior Lighting 2026-06-13 · PSL-NCU Return Parts 6/12 · Other
dear mercedes-benz usa dealers, 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, july 2, 2026. after july 2nd, returns of these parts will no longer be
Showing the 6 most recent of 151 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-16 · Steering“the vehicle was parked when the steering wheel locked , and the headrest. the electrical for my headlight driver side low beam gave me a warning lamp message. …”
2026-08-31 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:crank/Camshaft Position Sensor · 152,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz e-350. the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed crankshaft sensor. the contact stated that the crankshaft sensor was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. …”
2026-06-22 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes-benz e350. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor coming from the inside of the vehicle. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fuel leak. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact research…”
2026-06-01 · Service Brakes“brake failure due to leaking brake fluid after dealership conducted rear sub frame extended warranty coverage replacement and recent brake fluid services and after two (2) multi point inspections including video and reported “no items failed” and “no items cautioned.” vehicle was released to me both times vehicle was inspected and is available for…”
2026-05-15 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 35,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mercedes- benz e350. the contact stated while operating the vehicle the odor of fuel was present coming from the vehicle. upon inspection it was discovered that the fuel had leaked from the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. the vehicle wa…”
2026-05-04 · Suspension“the failed component is a fuel pump, and it is available for inspection upon request. my safety and the safety of others was put at risk due to the following: 1) sudden engine stalling 2) dangerous power loss while accelerating 3) potential fire risks; a damaged fuel pump assembley can cause fuel leaks and overheating due to insufficient fuel suppl…”
2026-03-25 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera“rear camera fails unexpectedly when placing car in reverse …”
2026-03-20 · Service Brakes“the brake lines on my car rusted out from the brake booster all of way to the rear calipers. this is the third time it’s happened to me as i’ve owned multiple e classes. if mercedes-benz covers the subframe, why is the brake lines which are located right above said subframe not covered?…”
2025-12-04 · Unknown Or Other“the rear subframe got separated from chassis. i was driving to work and had to hard brake to void a collision with another vehicle all of a sudden vehicle shifted to the left and i ended up on a curb. further inspection vehicle`s rear subframe rotted out due to rust. also, both rear brake lines from abs module to calipers are damaged due to corrosi…”
2025-08-26 · Suspension“brake line is thoroughly corroded, went to a repair shop, when they brought it back down, the subframe collapsed. mercedes has a 20 yr warranty on the subframe so they will cover that but want another $3k to fix the brake line that was obviously tied to the same mfr issue that the sub frame was in regards to rusting. dealer won't take any res…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.