2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Steering Problems

Subject: Safety Concern – Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC (2011) Subframe and Brake Line Rust Dear [Mercedes-Benz Customer Care / NHTSA], I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding my 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC. Recently, I brought my vehicle in for recall service, and during the inspection, it was discovered that: The rear subframe is broken due to rust. The brake lines are extremely rusted, and I was advised that I could lose braking control if they are not replaced immediately. The estimated repair cost exceeds $4,000. I have been a long-time owner of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and part of the Mercedes-Benz family. However, I am now deeply concerned about the safety of myself, my family, and others on the road due to this severe corrosion issue, which I believe may be a widespread defect. I respectfully request that Mercedes-Benz investigate this issue and provide assistance, as the failure of these critical components poses a serious safety hazard. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [Phone: [XXX] ] [Email: [XXX] ] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11689944

Incident

Sep 18, 2025

While driving at approximately 55mph on the highway, I was required to brake for a merging vehicle who decided to make a lane change at the last second. I used my breaks, and my car did not break correctly. Instead, the car pulled the the right and locked up, it felt as though I had lost control of the car. When I went to my mechanic, I thought it was a break issue. Instead, it turns out the whole rear sub frame had rusted. When researching this issue, I found many other similar experiences. The harm that this part failure lead to was extreme. This could have been deadly. This is a safety issue that the manufacturer does not address.

NHTSA ID

11559920

Incident

Dec 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn from a traffic light the power steering failed to perform as needed. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. The contact drove the vehicle to a parking lot, stopped, placed the vehicle in park(P) and turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V459000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11516754

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

Mileage

180,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11507901

Incident

Feb 16, 2023

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

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

MY VEHICLE IS A 2011 E350 MERCEDES ALL A & B SERVICE FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP PARKPLACE MERCEDES. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN A PANDEMIC SO I START MY VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT AROUND ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. I STAYS IN A SHELTERED PARKING GARAGE AREA AND LAST WEEK I STARTED MY CAR DROVE UP TO MY BUILDING RAN IN TO GET SOME GLOVES BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO STORE AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. PARKPLACE MERCEDES SERVICE CALLED BACK AND STATED THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND IT WOULD BE HERE IN 1-2 DAYS AND COST WOULD BE $1691 FOR NEW ESL PART & LABOR. I ASKED THE SERVICE ASST MANAGER HOW MUCH WAS THE PART AND HE TOLD ME $447. I CALLED THE PARTS DEPARTMENT TO SEE HOW MUCH THE PART WAS AND I WAS TOLD $544 AND ONLY MERCEDES COULD DO THE JOB AND PARTS ARE IN STOCK. A BIT CONFUSED I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH THE PARKPLACE MANAGER OFF LEMMON AVE IN DALLAS AND I WAS TOLD HE WAS UNSURE IF PROGRAM KEY COULD BE ACTIONED BY A AFTER MARKET DEALER BUT WOULD CHECK AND LET ME KNOW. THE ASST MANAGER CALLED BACK AND I ADVISED OF MY CONFUSION AND HE ADVISED HE WOULD SEEK ANSWERS AND CALL ME BACK. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM THE ASST MANAGER AND WAS ADVISED THE 2 THAT WAS IN STOCK WAS FOR 2 OTHER VEHICLES THAT WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY QUESTION IS HOW IS IT LEGAL FOR MERCEDES TO ADVISE THEY CAN ONLY DO THE WORK ON A VEHICLE I OWN? AND ADDITION IF I WERE TO GET AN AFTER MARKET SHOP TO DO THE WORK AND THEY HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO REPROGRAM THE KEY, WHY CAN I NOT GO TO ANOTHER SHOP? IS THIS INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN THE MANUAL IN MERCEDES SERVICE BOOKS? THIS SHOULD BE A EASY RECALL BECAUSE THE TECHNICIANS ARE NOT TROUBLESHOOTING TO SEE IF THE MOTOR THAT IS INSIDE THE ESL CAN BE REPLACED. I KNOW IT'S A PANDEMIC AND REVENUE IS AT AN ALL TIME LOW BUT LYING TO CUSTOMERS IS NOT THE CORRECT APPROACH. I SENT AN EMAIL AND REQUESTED TROUBLESHOOTING OF ESL OF MY VEHICLE. IT COULD BE A QUICK FIX.

NHTSA ID

11387079

Incident

Dec 30, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING SO THAT YOU CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL. THE COLUMN SAYS IT IS IN NEUTRAL BUT YOU STILL CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL. YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT TO BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. IT RANDOMLY OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. IT OCCURS ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. VARIOUS SPEEDS. TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER ON FEBRUARY 27, 2019 AND THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. IT HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS.

NHTSA ID

11186187

Incident

Feb 27, 2019

Mileage

60,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF JACKSON (455 STEED RD, RIDGELAND, MS 39157, (601) 956-4211). IT WAS UP TO THE DEALER AND WARRANTY COMPANY TO DECIDE WHO WOULD REPAIR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V459000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11142617

Incident

Aug 23, 2018

Mileage

96,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED METAL FRAGMENTS INTO THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID

10948487

Incident

Jan 18, 2017

Mileage

82,000 mi

EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING FROM 50-40MPH. CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT, KNOWN PROBLEM ON 2010-2012 E350/E550, YET MB REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10691305

Incident

Feb 12, 2015

Mileage

46,000 mi