CSR

Mercedes-Benz · NHTSA safety record

2015 Mercedes-Benz E350

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

31

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350 have filed 31 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2015 and April 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 5 of them (16%). The typical failure was reported at 25,000 miles, the median across the 13 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (6)

COMMUNICATION

19V787000 · November 1, 2019

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf
The risk
An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 24,226 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

17V627000 · October 6, 2017

The 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 Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
The risk
If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
The remedy
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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 495,290 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

17V177000 · March 14, 2017

The 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 C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 51 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

16V899000 · December 14, 2016

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.
The risk
If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 70 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

15V088000 · February 13, 2015

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 E350 Sedan, E350 4Matic Sedan, E350 4Matic Station Wagon, E400 Hybrid Sedan, CLS 550 CGI, and CLS550 4Matic, 2013-2014 E550 4Matic Sedan, 2013 E63 Sedan, E63 Station Wagon and CLS63, 2014-2015 CLS63 4Matic, E63 4Matic Sedan, E63 4Matic Sedan "S", and E63 4Matic Station Wagon, 2015 CLS400, 2015 E400 Sedan, E400 4Matic Sedan and CLS400 4Matic and 2014 CLS63 "S". The affected vehicles have a rubber seal at the back of the engine bay that may temporarily stick to the hood when it is opened and then may fall into the engine bay when the hood is closed.
The risk
If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will attach four additional retaining clips to the rubber seal, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-201-573-5339. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015020001.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 147,224 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

14V818000 · December 24, 2014

The defect
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 E250 Diesel, E250 Blue Tec 4 Matic, E350 Sedan, E350 Sedan 4 Matic, E350 Wagon 4 Matic, E400 Sedan, E400 Sedan 4 Matic, E63 Sedan, and E63 Wagon vehicles manufactured October 8, 2014, to October 24, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the double seat belt buckle for the middle position of the rear passenger seat could fail under loading experienced in a severe frontal crash.
The risk
If the middle position double seat belt buckle assembly fails under load such as in a severe frontal crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant.
The remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the double seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2014120006.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. · up to 1,378 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

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.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Rear brake line failure

DP20004

Closed defect petition · opened April 24, 2020 · closed October 9, 2020

the brakes, the hydraulic brakes

On April 10, 2020, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Surjit Singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a Mercedes dealer service department that his car had severely rusted brake lines that need[ed] to be replaced immediately at a cost of about $3300. He further stated that the dealer service advisor informed him that he had seen the issue on many cars like his. The petitioner requested ?that NHTSA launch an investigation into this serious issue of rusting brake lines on [his] 2013 Mercedes E350.? The brake line corrosion reported by the petitioner did not result in brake line leakage or any compromise in brake system performance before it was detected in a dealer vehicle inspection. The petitioner submitted a complaint to NHTSA documenting his experience (NHTSA ID 11319024).On April 24, 2020, ODI opened Defect Petition DP20-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI conducted a search for all consumer complaints and Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data related to allegations of brake line corrosion or leakage in 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedans and similarly equipped vehicles. The 2013 E350 is a fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicle (W212 platform), which was first sold in the United States in 2009 as a 2010 model. Mercedes-Benz sold approximately 245 thousand model year 2010 through 2015 E-Class sedan and wagon vehicles in the United States with the same brake line design as the petitioner?s vehicle.ODI?s search for complaints and EWR data in 2013 Mercedes E350 vehicles found no additional records related to the alleged defect. Expanding the search to all W212 platform vehicles identified just one incident, a complaint alleging unspecified brake line corrosion and leakage in a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 (NHTSA ID 10902081). The complaint did not allege that the brake line leakage resulted in reduced brake performance, crash, or injury. The resulting failure rate of 0.4 failures per hundred thousand vehicles is extremely low for a population that includes vehicles that have been in service for over ten years. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence of a defect trend in the subject E-Class vehicles that would support opening a defect investigation into premature brake line corrosion failure. NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Since the information before the Agency is not indicative of a vehicle-based defect, it is unlikely that any investigation opened because of granting this petition would result in an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect. Therefore, upon full consideration of the information presented in the petition and the potential risks to safety, the petition is denied. The denial of this petition does not foreclose the Agency from taking further action if warranted or the potential for a future finding that a safety-related defect exists based upon additional information the agency may receive.A Federal Register notice further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be forthcoming.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 31.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5 16%
STEERING 5 16%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 13%
STRUCTURE 4 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 10%
WHEELS 3 10%
AIR BAGS 2 6%
ENGINE 2 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 6%
SUSPENSION 2 6%
TIRES 2 6%
VISIBILITY 2 6%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 7.

2015 2023 2026
2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

POWER TRAIN

1 injured · 24,125 miles

CAR WAS STOPPED, PLACED IN PARK ON SLIGHT REARWARD INCLINE. DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A GATE CODE IN A BOX LOCATED NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. DRIVER COULD NOT REACH THE KEYPAD SO THE DOOR WAS OPENED AND DRIVER LEANED OUT TO ENTER THE CODE. THE CAR BEGAN ROLLING REARWARD AND DRAGGED THE DRIVER OUT OF THE CAR AND UNDER THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND AND INLINE FOR THE SAME GATE OPENER. DRIVER SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO LOCAL HOSPITAL. NUMEROUS ELECTRONIC FAILURES PRECEDED THE INCIDENT AND HAD BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR CORRECTION BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THIS INCIDENT. FAILURES INCLUDED AUX BATTERY, CPA+ INOP, KEYLESS ENTRY FAILURE AND

NHTSA complaint 10875815, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed · 55,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 42 MPH, THE BLIND STOP DETECTION MONITORING SYSTEM AND OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS

NHTSA complaint 11256349, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
NHTSA Complaint Vehicle: 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Gas Fuel Pump Filter Housing Defective Know Manufacture defect -Fuel pooling under rear seat causing fumes in cabin. Health and fire risk. Request investigation and recall/Safety consideration. -Service Center inspection Video Confirmation -Requested Goodwill and Repair by Manufacturer Senior Advisor who corresponded with the Service Manager -No warning lamps, smell of gas for few weeks and unaware it was from the gas under the back seat. -Towed to Local Mercedes Dealer on March 25. Drivable-Fumes very Strong.

NHTSA complaint 11729767. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2015 E3350 SMELLS GAS INSIDE CABIN, A MECHANIC DETECTED A FUEL LEAK IN THE ELECTRIC PUMP THAT IS LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT. 70000 MILES NO WARNING LIGHTS

NHTSA complaint 11715876. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

77,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to steer in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign: 16V899000(Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA complaint 11707570. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On [XXX] I went out and started my car and it said. Power steering was my function so I turned it off and tried it again. And it said the same thing. Power steering malfunction read the owner's menu which I did is said if you can steal it. Drive it to the nearest dealership. You can't park it Well, it was already parked in my driveway. So on June 13th. I had a toll to Feldmann Import in Bloomington MN I hate to think of what would happen if I was driving. Could it cause an accident? They confirmed that it was a problem with the stirring call at first I thought it was a leak. Turns it off that This is electrical steroid. The electronics on this during column went out. The report said it was

NHTSA complaint 11669739, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Rear brake lines rusted out on top of rear subframe which is rusting out and caused immediate brake failure . Our lives and the lives of other were at risk because we were driving on highway and suddenly brakes went to floor and had complete loss of brakes There were no prior warnings no way to prevent this ...i see there is a recall on the subframe but not on the brake lines even though ive now read of this happening to many people

NHTSA complaint 11665460. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
I had a brake line blowout in my 2015 Benz E350 rear brake line blowout. The rear lines were complete rusted out.

NHTSA complaint 11601998. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mercedes-Benz E350

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 8 3
2021 13 12
2020 8 6
2016 51 5
2014 277 8
2013 161 6
2012 215 7
2011 223 5
2010 183 4

Other 2015 Mercedes-Benz models

Every Mercedes-Benz on this site — 216 vehicles, 576 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst