2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's wife was able to stop the vehicle from crashing into a concrete curb. The contact stated a nearby independent mechanic assisted the contact, and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a fractured brake line due to corrosion. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured rear brake line due to corrosion. The contact was informed that the rear brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that a year ago the rear subframe fractured due to corrosion. The contact stated that the rear subframe was repaired under an unknown recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11643335

Incident

Feb 17, 2025

Mileage

140,000 mi

When braking the car pulls hard off the road. inspection showed rear subframe rusted and control arms are not attached securely to frame. Unsafe to drive

NHTSA ID

11633494

Incident

Dec 10, 2024

Smell gasoline when tank get filled up. Engine light is on , suspension make a lot of noise , power steering pump also

NHTSA ID

11575979

Incident

Mar 7, 2024

Rear subframe corrosion and failure. Based on my queries this apparently a common issue. I am adding my report to add weight to this common issue. Vehicle is approximately 13 years old, is in good condition, and has not suffered any accidents affecting the rear subframe. Overall only minimal rust or corrosion is found during a visual inspection while on a lift. This vehicle has passed annual inspections as required by Virginia state law. The rear subframe has rusted from the inside. This corrosion was not visible from the outside, which is why it was not found in the annual inspections. Due only to this internal corrosion, the left-hand (driver) side of the rear subframe has broken loose where the rear wheel's control arm is attached. This removes one of the rear wheel's primary attachment points, making the vehicle unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11544758

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

Rear suspension control arm bracket rusted, broken off from frame of vehicle makes a slight to moderate sound when driving or going off bumps I avoid rough surfaces, I drive at a respectable speed ,I never came across as long I owed this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11531323

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

My rear sub frame has major corrosion and is broken on the driver side, the passenger side about to go soon. My vehicle only has 154000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11530364

Incident

Jun 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake line fractured and the low brake fluid warning light illuminated; however, the contact stated he was able to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the subframe was fractured, which caused the brake line to fracture and fail. The dealer repaired the subframe under the recall and charged a fee for the brake line repair. The contact stated that the mechanic stated that the brake line fracture was caused by the subframe fracture. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the manufacturer only authorized the repair of the subframe. The failure mileage was approximately 181,250.

NHTSA ID

11528920

Incident

May 15, 2023

Mileage

181,250 mi

Per the technician: "the rear subframe is rusted out and the lateral strut arm is starting to break away". Because of this issue, the car unknowingly presented a safety risk to occupants and other drivers. A failure of the subframe or connected components could have resulted in a serious accident. Photos are attached. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. There were no warning indicators to this issue. The issue was found only because the car was being serviced for brake pads. Mercedes Benz USA customer care said there was no recall or other warranty covering the issue and said the vehicle was outside their "good will assistance program". The vehicle is no longer able to be driven.

NHTSA ID

11522257

Incident

May 13, 2023

Rear subframe has rusted to the point car is no longer safe to drive. This is apparently effecting many Mercedes’ vehicles and many unsafe cars are currently on the road.

NHTSA ID

11514193

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

During braking a knocking noise happen due to a dislodged or broken bracket from rear suspension cross member. And has appeared to rusted from the inside out. Mercedes was notified and was inspected by a local Mercedes dealership. Vehicle cannot be safely driven.

NHTSA ID

11488341

Incident

Jul 9, 2022

rear crossmember rotted and snapped

NHTSA ID

11488127

Incident

Sep 27, 2017

My family has owned this vehicle since 2013 when it was purchased from the local Mercedes dealership as certified pre-owned. In the past few years, we have had to have several of the rear brake lines replaced due to rust. The last time, we were told by the mechanic that the complete rear subframe would have to be replaced due to rust. Specifically the attachment points from the subframe to the rear suspension have completely rusted through. I contacted the dealership where the car was purchased. They stated they are aware of this issue on almost all of the cars of that period but offered no solution other than a repair of $5,000. Many of the cars of that era and class have serious rust issues but Mercedes chooses to do nothing about it. This is a serious safety issue because the entire rear suspension and brakes attach to the subframe and could come loose at any point while driving. I would like this to be repaired by the manufacturer. Thank you

NHTSA ID

11482416

Incident

May 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the rear wheels were going in a different direction. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear suspensions had rusted and fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,060.

NHTSA ID

11465892

Incident

Apr 28, 2022

Mileage

68,060 mi

HEARING LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM BACK. CROSS MEMBER SUBFRAME. I FEEL LIKE MERCEDES SHOULD REIMBURSE ME.... CAR IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD MY 2005 FRAME IS PERFECT. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR..

NHTSA ID

11390738

Incident

Jan 15, 2021

MERCEDES DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR. FOUND THE REAR SUB-FRAME SEVERELY RUSTED AT WELDS. HE ADVISED THIS WAS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED SOON. SERVICE WRITER SAID THIS WAS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. ONE OF THE WELDS IS ALMOST COMPLETELY FAILING. THERE IS AN ACTUAL SAFETY HAZARD IF THE SUBFRAME FAILS COMPLETELY. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN OCCURRING OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN WELL REPORTED ON MANY INTERNET SITES.

NHTSA ID

11390387

Incident

Jan 25, 2021

Mileage

108,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AND THANK GOD NO OTHER CARS WERE NEXT TO ME. SOMETIMES WHEN I GO OVER 50 THE CAR TENDS TO PULL IN ANOTHER DIRECTION. I TOOK IT TO GET SERVICE A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND GOT MY CAR BACK 6MONTHS LATER. THAN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. THEY JUST REPLACED COMPUTER CHIP THEY SAID. THE CAR HAS NEVER DRIVEN RIGHT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. SO WHEN THE CAR DECIDED TO PULL TO THE LEFT I WAS PULLING WITH ALL MY STRENGTH TO JUST KEEP THE WHEEL STRAIGHT BUT I HAD NO CONTROL AND SPUN AROUND 5 TIMES N LANDED BACKWARDS ON THE TURNPIKE FACING ON COMING TRAFFIC. I'M SO UPSET THAT I NEVER GOT TO ENJOY THE VEHICLE IT STILL PULLS AND THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS SAYS ITS FINE. THE CAR RATTLES. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING N THE SEAT I WAS SITTING ON BLEW UP FOR NO REASON. THEY REPLACE ONLY THE INSIDE PARTS AND NEVER THE STITCHING ON THE SEAT SO I HAVE A RIPPED SEAT FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT . THIS CALL IS DEF A LEMON OR SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10640964

Incident

Aug 12, 2011

Mileage

7,000 mi

ANOTHER CAR MADE AN ILLEGAL U-TURN AND CAUSED ME TO T-BONE ON HIS PASSENGER SIDE. FRONT OF MY CAR HIT HIS PASSENGER SIDE AND DRAGGED HIS CAR FOR ABOUT 10 FEET. AIR BAGS ON MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY, SAFETY SYSTEM M-BRACE IN CAR FAILED AND DID NOT CALL SOS EITHER. CAR SAFETY SYSTEM DID NOT DETECT THE CRASH AT ALL. MERCEDES BENZ DID NOT DETECT A CRASH....UPDATED 09-10-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE RECEIVED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDERS, AND BACK, BRUISED ELBOW, AND HEADACHES AND LOUD RINGING FOR 10 DAYS CAUSED BY THE CRASH. UPDATED 12/16/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10628111

Incident

Aug 7, 2014

Mileage

23,000 mi