Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 38 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.
The 25 most recent of 38, in the owner's own words
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 109,550. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was approximately 300,000.
I've had the car for 3 years and its all stock. It has 38,500 miles and today out of no where the driver side speaker in the door started making a crackling and popping noise. Smoke started coming from the speaker and filled the cabin. I quickly pulled over and turned off the car, because the smell of plastic burning was horrible. I was immediately alarmed by this and let the car cool down. I started driving again and it started again crackling and alot of smoke coming from the speaker. I called my mechanic and he said that that car had a known problem for a short and others had complained about their speakers melting due to overheating from the amplifier. He quickly searched the fuse box numbers and had me pull fuse #67 that disarmed the amp and speakers but allowed me to drive the car again. There is no warning and this is extremely dangerous due to a possible car fire. I am just thankful that my wife or children were not driving this car when this happened. I researched the problem more and I can't believe there has not been a serious recall for those amps that came with the car.
While driving in stop and go traffic I heard a loud popping noise from the dash area and smoke started filling the cabin. I called a DC area dealer service dept and was told to exit the DC beltway and un plug the audio amplifier in the trunk left access door That stopped the popping noise and the smoke .
The heater temperature is not consistent and keeps fluctuating. When I set the temperature to 80°F, it initially blows hot air, but after about 10 seconds, it starts blowing colder air. To get consistently hot air, I have to set the temperature to the maximum.
Suspension Rear Sub-frame rusted through, rear Lower control arm disconnected from rear sub-frame due to rust/corrosion. It is available for inspection. While braking at highway speeds the car fishtailed and I almost lost control of the vehicle. This has not been confirmed or inspected by any service, Insurance or Police entity. No warning lights, messages etc. Brakes: Rear brake lines are severely corroded in the same area as the rear sub-frame. Electrical System: Battery continuously discharges and is dead after 5 hours.
While driving in traffic there were loud popping and crackling sounds from the rear speakers. Then smoke appeared and an acrid burning smell. The smoke and loud sounds continued after I pulled over and turned the key off. I removed the fuses for the sound system and it remains inoperable. I went home and searched for this problem on the web and discovered that it is a common problem on 2014 Mercedes E350's. Despite this being cited as a common problem by owners, there is no recall. I called Mercedes-Benz USA and they reported that they were not aware of this problem. This event was very alarming and could have caused an accident when the smoke was coming into the passenger compartment. I believe it qualifies for a recall.
My 2014 Mercedes started getting a fault light with multiple performance issues. Mercedes dealer where I can carry out my routine maintenance diagnosed the issue to the electrical harness being contaminated with engine oil and it needed to be replaced on the engine because of a known issue whereby oil from the upper camshaft sensors seep into the harness and makes its way to ECU and causes possible failure of the engine control, which could lead to shutting down or worse, incorrect engine timing which would lead to incorrect detonation at the compressors and subsequently engine failure at critical operational phase. This below link and attached document describes the issue well. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While cruising , car stalled after it beeped intermittently for a few minutes . On checking , the shop found that ignition switch assembly module has failed & stopped working . Strangely , the Mercedes-Benz dealer on Montgomery Road , Cincinnati refused to fix this , though the car was initially towed to them . This is suspicious action on the part of Mercedes-Benz dealer . The dealer acted as if they do not want this problem to become public .
Electrical burning smell and buzzing coming from car entertainment system speakers. Did not stop even when entertainment system was turned off. Had engineer diagnose and issue is the rear subwoofer. Had to remove fuse or disconnect cables to stop issue.
My electric power steering failed. It often resets and can be unpredictable when it wants to fail again. It’s an intermittent problem that local dealer tried to fix with a software update but did not work. I was told I need a new steering rack at $5-6k which is unacceptable for any vehicle that has been maintained it’s whole life . My car is 8 years old with 100,000 miles with full service records I feel like this is a premature failure of the electric power steering
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that the Push to START button failed to operate as needed. Due to the failure, the contact was only able to start the vehicle using the key fob. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where she was informed that due to an apparent electrical failure, the vehicle would also fail to start with the key fob. The contact was informed that the failure was unrepairable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact has stated that they continue to have issues with their vehicle. The relationship with their local dealership has been unpleasant as they do not have a remedy for the vehicle, yet they often state that there is nothing wrong with it.
Speaker(s) caught fire and sent smoke into car while driving. Dealer recognized issue immediately and said they have seen this before a few times. Mercedes said car is not in warranty son they will not support approx. bill of $4,000. The issue was discussed in various forums by several owners. I would like to see that Mercdes act responsibly and address the issue appropriately. Smoke coming into car while driving is hazardous in addition to hindering visibility and potentially cause serious accidents. Please make sure that Mercedes is reprimanded and have them recall vehicles to address the issue.
There have been three events, all the same. Each time a speaker in a door, while driving, has began to squeal, sputter and the smoke. The first occurred while sitting inside a car wash, with the windows up, obviously. I was able to open the window, drenching myself, but venting the acrid electrical smoke. The second was while driving home from a medical clinic. The third was while driving on the interstate, traveling from my mothers funeral in California to Wisconsin It was 2am, just outside of Vail, Colorado in the rain. My wife was driving, while I slept. I woke to her screaming that the car was on fire, she pulled over, taking advantage of the antilock brakes for the first time ever, striking some type of curb, ultimately not killing us, but we lost another speaker, and a tire and rim. I’m, needless to say, displeased with my expensive European wagon, but Mercedes’ does not consider melting and smoking speakers to be a safety issue. Look online, and you’ll see plenty of videos of people with the same issue.
Car was being driven at secondary road speed (~40MPH). Engine suddenly began to spudder and misfire terribly. Came to a stop light engine was idled roughly. Accelerated from stop, when check engine light turned on. Car went into limp MODE at a very dangerous rail road crossing and left turn intersection. Without acceleration, family was in danger of being hit by train and incoming traffic. Took car to Mercedes mechanic. Faulty parts were the Camshaft Position Solenoid valve, ignition cool. Short circuit in one part caused blown ignition fuse and cascading mechanical problems and safety risks. Repair cost so far is $1,100. Concern is the placement of the faulty part. It is exposed to high heat in the motor compartment and poses a fire hazard as well as a personal injury hazard to the occupants and driver.
This car has an electrical problem related to the Radio Amplifier and Speakers. many stories on the net of burning wire speakers and amplifier related to this. i will attach link, my story same as all the rest. I have disconnected after wife complained of smell of electrical fire and smoke from speakers. our car hs Apc 56,000 miles now. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Mercedes-Benz/E350/2014/electrical/electrical_system.shtml Control Module - Mercedes-Benz TYP: Sirius – SDAR HW: 212 870 57 89 Date: 12/2019 SW: 212 902 79 03 Date 12/26/2000 Serial: 063005830376 Mercedes A 212 870 56 89 Model# DL5938 DELPHI Q01 PN: 28335938 Bar Code# A21287056890128335938E1361307 I am unable to access the speakers that burned and let the smoke out. Kurt Kaufman
My 2014 Mercedes E350 with 54k miles has a Harmon Kardon sound system. About 4 months ago there was static/popping sound from the rear deck speaker driver side. The radio was turned off but the static sound remained. The popping eventually went away. Today, the static sound came back along with plastic burning that filled the inside of the cabin. This is a safety concern that should be acknowledged as it can cause a fire or electrical shortage. The smoke and scent of burning plastic from the speaker can cause health issues, distract a driver, and lead to a potential fire. Please look into this matter and protect other drivers. Thank you.
Intermittently, while driving several of the electrical systems will fail including the lane keep assist and abs. When this happens, it also causes the instrument cluster to rapidly change speeds, making the vehicle unsafe to operate as the driver is unable to tell what speed they are going, which can become extremely hazardous since this happens at random. The issue has been diagnosed to be a faulty Radar Sensor in the rear bumper, however the specific part has been on backorder since February 2022 and Mercedes-Benz has shown no signs of urgency with resolving this issue. I have a video of the ongoing hazard that I can submit as well, it's just too large to attach to this form.
Mercedes Benz had a previous recall Campaign # 2009100001 which affected vehicles until 2012 and mine is a 2014 model E350. It has the same issue with Engine severely misfiring and jerky on the road as if it is going to STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY while driving and cause a SAFETY RISK for my family and others on the road. Specific component is Oil leaks from transmission wiring harness and ECM connector. The leak is from camshaft hall sensors and transmission drain plug. Mercedes Benz dealer in Pleasanton, CA has confirmed the issue after I paid $218 for diagnosis.
BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CAR AND STATIC/CRACKLINGS NOISE FROM THE SPEAKER SYSTEM. NOISE CONTINUED WITH ENGINE OFF AS WELL AS ENGINE ON. SPEAKERS STARTED POPPING WITH SOUND LIKE GUNFIRE. SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL FIRE WAS HAPPENING. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HUGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE BACK INSIDE OF CAR AROUND THE BACK DOOR PASSENGER SIDE AS I SAT IN THE CAR. CAR WAS IN PARKED POSITION AT THIS MOMENT N ENGINE WAS RUNNING N RADIO ON. I TURNED OFF CAR AND STREAM N JUMPED OUT OF CAR WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING MOMENT. STILL POPPING SOUND AFTER ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF SO I CALL 911. FIRE DEPT N POLICE CAME OUT N SMELT BURNING SMELL FROM SMOKE N HEARD POPPING FROM BELIEVE SPEAKERS THEREFORE FIRE DEPT DISMANTLE SEVERAL FUSES FROM UNDER HOOD ETC SINCE THEY COULD NOT DISMANTLE THE DOOR PANEL WHERE THE SMOKE WAS SPILLING FROM. THIS WAS EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL FOR ME. I FEEL THE CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND MERCEDES NEED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR N DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED
HEY I HAVE 2014 MERCEDES E350 WITH 57K ON IT. DRIVER SEAT HAS A TEAR AFTER TAKING TO THE MB DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MY 7 SPEED TRANSMISSION HAS KINDA OF A SLIP IN 3 AND 4 GEAR ALSO TOOK TO MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG DID MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT ITS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM
BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CAR AND STATIC AND CRACKLING NOISE FROM THE SPEAKER SYSTEM. NOISE CONTINUED WITH ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE SOUND AMPLIFIER AND THE CENTER DASH SPEAKER WERE FOUND TO BE BURNT. THEY REPLACED THE SOUND AMP., FLASH & SCN CODE COMMAND UNIT, AND SATELLITE RADIO CONTROL UNIT
TRUNK HAS OPENED 6 - 8 TIMES ON ITS OWN. IN JUST OVER 5,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP AND TWO DOCUMENTED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE TRUNK OPENS ON ITS OWN IN NEARLY ANY COMBINATION OF; IN MOTION, STOPPED, IN GEAR, OUT OF GEAR, MODERATE SPEED (40-50 MPH), LOW SPEED (A CRAWL) COOL TEMPS., WARM TEMPS., TOP UP, TOP DOWN. I HAVE EVEN TRIED, WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, TO DELIBERATELY OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE KEY FOB AND WITH THE DOOR MOUNTED RELEASE. IT DID NOT OPEN WHEN I TRIED TO REPLICATE AN UNINTENTIONAL OPENING. MOST RECENT INCIDENT, 10/24/2020- WHILE IN MY GARAGE, TEMPERATURE COOL ~ 65 DEGREES, KEY IN IGNITION ENGINE AND RUNNING FOR ABOUT 1-2 MINUTES, BOTH CAR DOORS CLOSED, PUTTING ON SEAT BELT, EMERGENCY BRAKE STILL ON, STILL IN PARK, HEARD THE TRUNK POP OPEN. CONFIRMED THE OPEN TRUNK IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR. THE EIGHT + MONTHS BETWEEN THIS OCCURRENCE AND THE LAST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IS MISLEADING AS THE CAR'S BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 500 MILES BETWEEN THE LAST REPAIR AND WHEN THE TRUNK OPENED ON ITS OWN THIS TIME.
RECALL NOTICES AND FAILURE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR STEERING COLUMN ISSUES, ETC. WHICH PRESENT POTENTIAL FOR DANGEROUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, HAVE SURFACED NO RESOLUTION. DEALERSHIPS HAVE IGNORED QUESTIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN HOSTILE WHEN ASKED ABOUT NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES.
WEATHER WAS HOT AND HAD BEEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOR HOURS AT TIME OF INCIDENT. SPEAKERS STARTED POPPING WITH SOUND LIKE GUNFIRE. SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL FIRE WAS HAPPENING THEN SOME SMOKE SEEN. STOPPED CAR. STILL HEARD POPPING SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER CAR TURNED OFF AND EXITED CAR. MECHANIC WAS CALLED AND FOUND POPPING IN SPEAKERS AND ESPECIALLY REAR DECK BASS SPEAKERS. HE RECEIVED 2 SMALL 2ND DEGREE BURNS AFTER TOUCHING THEM WITH BACK OF HIS HAND. HE DISCONNECTED BASS SPEAKERS AND PROBLEM WAS MOSTLY SOLVED THOUGH SIMILAR BUT SINGLE POPS STILL PERIODICALLY CONTINUE ON/NEAR OTHER SPEAKERS IN CAR. WILL PROBABLY HAVE SAME FAILURE ISSUE ON REMAINING SPEAKERS IN NEAR FUTURE.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE THE CAR. MY SON PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT DOOR SPEAKER. WE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MERCEDES. WE BROUGHT IT TO RAY CATENA IN EDISON NJ EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND THEY STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH THEY STATED A FAULTY AMPLIFIER AFTER TRYING TO REPLACE THE SPEAKER WHICH MELTED ON THEM AS WELL. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AS MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BE SO HE WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME. THIS WAS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR REPAIR.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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