RoadVitals

2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Aug 18, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 223 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 18, 2024

Rear subframe rusted and broken apart.

NHTSA ID
11609172
Incident
Aug 17, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Oct 13, 2023

The sunroof detached and the water from the rain leaked through the faulty sunroof into the interior doors, floorboard and dashboard. This happened to both the passenger side and the driver side. It was repaired out of pocket because of the hazard and lack of dealership accountability. Because the dealership wanted to charge $1000 to provide a water intrusion inspection so we went to an a MB authorization independent mechanic to repair the vehicle.This leaking lead to the growth of mold and lack driver visibility.Lastly they were no warnings before the leak happened.

NHTSA ID
11549863
Incident
Aug 14, 2022
Body & structureFuel systemSteering
Filed Feb 17, 2023

Power steering is makes winding noise and very wobbly Wood grain interior is turning white Emissions problems

NHTSA ID
11507901
Incident
Feb 16, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Dec 16, 2022

The subframe is rusting in four places in the area of the wheels. If the frame breaks I could lose control of the vehicle

NHTSA ID
11497716
Incident
Dec 1, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Dec 1, 2022

Rear sub-frame is starting to rust/corrode. Understand from my repair shop that similar problems have been identified in other models using same rear subframe (W204 2008-2014 C-Class). Failure of the rear subframe may result in tire detachment and possible rupture of the fuel tank by metal fragments (per the repair shop).

NHTSA ID
11495638
Incident
Nov 11, 2022
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 23, 2022

The rear subframe failed as a result of pre-mature corrosion while traveling at 70mph. Control of vehicle was lost and could easily have led to a multiple fatality incident if not for luck. The problem has been reproduced in many Mercedes models around this model year and Mercedes is well aware of the issue with their inferior subframe. NTSA needs to order a recall from Mercedes as class action lawsuits are going to be put together if nothing is done. There was no warning that this subframe was going to fail.

NHTSA ID
11490459
Incident
Sep 30, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Oct 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the local dealer for a routine oil change, the contact was informed that the rear subframe, control arms, brake lines, and pipe socket were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID
11489519
Incident
Oct 13, 2022
Mileage
132,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz E350. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and abruptly depressing the brake pedal to avoid striking a deer, the vehicle inadvertently veered to the left out of the lane almost causing a collision with another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was severely rusted causing the rear subframe to fracture. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 123,000.

NHTSA ID
11465123
Incident
Apr 18, 2022
Mileage
123,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 8, 2021

The rear "K" suspension subframe assembly had to be replaced because of rust internally in the vehicle frame. There was no other rust, internally or externally visible, on the entire car. My mechanic indicated that the car would not pass inspection without major repairs at a cost of over $2800. If the subframe became disconnected, steering control would be lost resulting in a potentially serious injury due to loss of directional control at high speeds. My mechanic has already replaced parts to repair this issue on at least 4 other cars within a short period of time.

NHTSA ID
11432196
Incident
Aug 27, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Jul 9, 2021
Crash reported

hit and run

NHTSA ID
11424155
Incident
Jul 8, 2021
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes
Filed Jan 26, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM ON A CLEAR, SUNNY DAY, ABOUT A MINUTE AWAY FROM MY HOME. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD, AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC. I STOPPED AT THE CORNER TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I PROCEEDED TO TURN, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT JUMPED THE CURB ( CAUGHT ON PROPERTY OWNER'S CAMERA, GOING AIR BORN) , AS I CONTINUED TO BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD WITH THE CAR INCREASINGLY ACCELERATING.I CRASHED THROUGH A FENCE AND HIT A POLE WHICH STOPPED THE CAR DEPLOYING BOTH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS. THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR, AND IT WAS TOTALED. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE.MY INJURY WAS DIAGNOSED AS ACUTE L1 COMPRESSION FRACTURE ALONG THE SUPERIOR ENDPLATE WITH MILD ANTERIOR WEDGING. I WAS REFERRED TO AN ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST AND HAVE NOT RETURNED TO WORK DUE TO PAIN AND ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, TWO DAYS LATER I WAS ISSUED A WARNING FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL SPEED!@&!

NHTSA ID
11301964
Incident
Jan 16, 2020
Mileage
95,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 7, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OF THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VERY FAST, JUMPED THE CURB AND RAN INTO THE WALL OF ONE OF THE EXAMINING ROOMS, INJURING A PATIENT.NO ONE IN THE CAR WAS INJURED BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED. AIR BGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS BUT I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE HITTING ANOTHER CAR ON OUR CHURCH PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID
11013421
Incident
Jul 28, 2017
Mileage
43,471 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 29, 2013

2011 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RADIO AUTOMATICALLY TURNS ON WHEN GEAR SHIFT IS PLACED IN REVERSE MODE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER MANUALLY TURNING OFF THE RADIO, THEN PLACING THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE MODE, THE RADIO AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED TO THE ON MODE WHICH DISTRACTED AND INTERFERED HIS CONCENTRATION AND AWARENESS WITH REGARD TO SAFE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10550207
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Body & structureSeat belts
Filed Sep 16, 2013

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON LAYTON AVE AND 43RD STREET, AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE HEADRESTS OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED, PUSHING MY NECK FORWARD. GRANTED I WENT OVER A HOLE NOT THAT BIG, BUT THE EXPLOSION WAS SO DRASTIC THAT IT PUSHED MY SEAT FORWARD AND MY NECK IS NOW SORE AND TENDER FROM THE IMPACT. I AM REALLY SCARE NOW THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WANT ME TO BRING THE CAR SO THE CAN RESET THE SYSTEM. I DON'T LIKE THAT IDEA, BECAUSE I GOT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND NOW THE VALUE REALLY CHANGE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN IT ANYMORE. I DON'T THINK MERCEDES IS WILLING TO TAKE THE CAR BACK EITHER. SHOULD I FOLLOW A LAWSUIT? I HAVE 5 MONTHS LEFT ON THIS LEASE BUT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN WITH THIS CAR NOW SINCE ALREADY SHOWED SOME MALFUNCTION. HEADRESTS ARE SUPPOSED TO POPPED OUT ONLY IF YOU ARE REAR ENDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543847
Incident
Sep 14, 2013
Mileage
26,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 E350 MERCEDES BENZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL GATE WOULD UNLATCH AND OPEN SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10441324
Incident
Sep 26, 2011
Mileage
10,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .