2017 Mercedes-Benz E350

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.

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING. I'M SEEING THIS AS A COMMON ISSUE IN THREADS ONLINE. CAR OUT OF WARRANTY SO NEED HELP MAKING THIS A RECALL ITEM GIVEN THE DANGER OF FUEL LEAKS. SOLUTIONS POSTED ARE BELOW: 1) QUOTE FROM MY INVOICE: CONFIRMED FUEL LEAK WAS COMING FROM LINE TO HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. REMOVED LOWER PANEL OF TRANSMISSION TO GAIN ACCESS TO LINES. REMOVED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP COVERS, REMOVED AND INSTALLED FUEL LINES, AND INSTALLED IN REVERSE ORDER TO CORRECT. RAN ENGINE TO VERIFY NO LARGE FUEL LEAKS. FOUND GOOD AT THIS TIME. 2) HAVE YOUR DEALER REPLACE THE TWO FLEXIBLE FUEL LINES FROM THE FUEL FEED LINE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.THERE IS NO OFFICIAL BULLETIN ON THIS BUT THIS IS THE FIX.

NHTSA ID

11375685

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

35,000 mi

I AM IN AN MBFOURM AND I AM STARTING TO HEAR OF ENGINE FAILURE AT AN EARLY AGE. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS, YET. BUT, FROM WHAT I AM READING IN THE FORUMS, A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL ENGINE I HAVE IN MY 2017 MERCEDES E300 ARE HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE PISTON CRACKS AND THEY NEED A NEW ENGINE. MERCEDES ISN'T PAYING FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENTS AND IT IS ALL OUT OF POCKET COST. I AM WORRIED THAT ONCE MY WARRANTY IS OVER AND MY ENGINE BLOWS BECAUSE OF MERCEDES DESIGNS FLAW, I WILL END UP SPENDING 9-10K FOR A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW. HERE IS THE LINK TO THE FORUM: HTTPS://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/E-CLASS-W213/798120-2018-MERCEDES-W213-E300-NEEDS-NEW-ENGINE-23K-MILES.HTML HTTPS://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/C-CLASS-W205/731642-W205-C300-STAY-AWAY-PISTON-CRACKED-65-K-MILES.HTML

NHTSA ID

11372488

Incident

Oct 30, 2020

ON SUNDAY 9/13 DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT AND THEN GLASS JUST FELL ON ME FROM EVERYWHERE CAUSING ME TO SWERVE ALL OVER THE ROAD AND I THOUGHT IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING I FELL OFF THE 18 WHEELER TRACTOR TRAILER NEAR ME AND I CHASED HIM DOWN AND HE ALMOST RAN ME OFF THE ROAD AND KILLED ME WE GOT INTO AN ALTERCATION ONLY TO FIND OUT IS A DEFECT FROM MERCEDES. IF SOMEONE COULD PLEASE CALL ME [XXX]OR EMAIL ME AT [XXX]. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11362285

Incident

Sep 13, 2020

AT AROUND 2.15 PM CST, I WAS DRIVING MY MERCEDES WESTBOUND ON I-694 TOWARDS MINNEAPOLIS AT ROUGHLY 70 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY E300 STALLED AND BY THE TIME I COULD FIGURE WHAT WAS WRONG, I LOST ALL POWER IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MERCEDES BRAKE ASSIST TRIGGERED A HARD BRAKE AND MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR BEHIND ME NEARLY MISSED ME AND AT THIS POINT EVERY LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD LIT UP (I HAVE ATTACHED THE PICTURE BELOW). I TRIED HITTING ON THE IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. AT THIS POINT, I DECIDED NOT TO SIT IN THE CAR SINCE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS WITH FAST ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND IT WAS ONLY GOING TO BE A MATTER OF TIME THAT SOMEONE WOULD REAR END ME. I STEPPED OUT OF MY CAR AND WHILE MULTIPLE CARS WERE APPROACHING ME AT HIGH SPEED FROM BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT LANES I FOUND A VERY SMALL WINDOW OF TIME (2-3 SECONDS) TO SPRINT FROM THE MIDDLE LANE OF I-694 TO THE SHOULDER. MY WORRY WAS STILL FAR FROM OVER AS MY CAR WAS STILL SITTING IN MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND NOW I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHER FOLKS WHO WERE TRAVELING IN MY DIRECTION. I SAW 12 TO 15 CARS ALMOST REAR END MY CAR. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING, I REALIZED MY PHONE WAS DEAD AND I WAS UNABLE TO CALL 911. I CONTINUALLY WAVED AT THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO ALERT THEM OF MY CAR AND REQUESTED THEM TO CALL 911. ABOUT 7 TO 9 MINUTES LATER, THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL SHOWED UP AND BLOCKED TRAFFIC TO ASSIST ME WITH MOVING MY CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THESE 7 TO 9 MINUTES WERE THE MOST TRAUMATIC I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. I FELT HELPLESS, ANXIOUS, AND EXTREMELY STRESSED OUT.

NHTSA ID

11360136

Incident

Sep 18, 2020

Mileage

18,700 mi

CAR SHIMMERING ABOVE 5/60 MPH. AFTER MANY VISITS I WAS CHARGED $839.39 TO REPLACE THE ROTORS. CONTACTED MB CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME BUT TO DOCUMENT MY ISSUE. MB FACTORY WOULD NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL.I EXPLAINED THAT THERE A A LOT OF OTHER CUSTOMERS AROUND THE WORLD ON A MB FORUM AND THEY SAIT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPORT THE ISSUE AS WELL PROBLEM PERSIST AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIRES I PURCHASED FROM COSTCO. RETURNED THE TIRES TO COSTCO AND PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES ON 12/30/19 AND ISSUE STILL PERSIST

NHTSA ID

11322350

Incident

Oct 22, 2019

WHEN STARTING THE CAR, IN THE FIRST 20 MINUETS THE CAR HAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN CAUSING DIFFICULTY BREATHING AND EYE IRRITATION, I NEED TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING FOR 20 MINUTES WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN BEFORE I CAN GET IN AND DRIVE, I WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS DISMISSED AS IF EVERYTHING IS GOOD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT.

NHTSA ID

11297187

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

20,000 mi

CAR CAUGHT FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE PARKED. A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ID

11220151

Incident

Jun 14, 2019

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

Dear Mercedes-Benz USA Dealers, The part numbers listed in the chart below should no longer be installed, and any existing stock must be returned to your facing PDC. The deadline for all dealer returns is no later than Thursday, July 9, 2026. After July 9th, returns of these parts will no longer be accepted. These parts should be returned via ZSR Special Return, using item category SCM Authorized Part Return. Please include a copy of this NCU as your authorization to return these parts. This procedure will not affect your return allowance. All returned parts will be replaced in accordance with the chart provided below.

Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) C: During the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the A-pillar (Figure 1) D: After windshield cleaning, water keeps spraying onto the windshield for several wipe cycles (Figure 2) A1: The windshield and wiper blades are contaminated with residues from car washing facilities, identifiable by the water beading. The resulting differences in the friction values between the wiper blades and the windshield can excite the wiper blades to vibrate. Note: It is mostly wax residue from the washer system, but also water-repellent nano-particle coating for paint and/or silicone-based washer fluid, that could cause this problem. A partially dry windshield also has different friction values, which can likewise result in squeaking of the wiper blades A2: The wiper blades are worn by mechanical damage (wiper lip damaged by ice or insect debris, or deformed by long periods of disuse). A3: Incorrect angle of incidence of the wiper arms to the windshield. Because of this, the rubber lip of the wiper blade may not flip over at the reversal point. Cause B: B1: Wax/ dirt residues on the windshield B2: Wiper blades deformed or worn B3: Downforce of wiper arm not OK (Figure 3) Cause C: Water is pulled back onto the windshield by the differential pressure created as the wiper arm moves downwards. Cause D: Washer water collects in the fastening of the wiper blade and is blown onto the windshield by the airstream over several wipe cycles. Note and supporting information: Wiper blades are wear parts which, even when "not used" for long periods (kept in park position), may become permanently deformed and damaged. Further stresses on the rubber wiper blade arise due to various environmental influences which progressively change the effectiveness of the rubber wiper blade and accelerate the aging process. Due to the natural aging process and wear, the wiper blades should be replaced twice a year, preferably in Spring and Fall (see operator's manual). Remedy Remedy A: A1: Cleaning entire windshield with A 000 986 40 71. A2: Checking water's flow behavior after windshield has been cleaned (see Video 1). If, after cleaning, there are still areas with water beading, then the cleaning process must be carried out again until a rejection reaction is no longer present. • Note: On the vehicle in the video (Video 1), water still beads on the bottom left of the windshield. The windshield is still not properly clean, even though it appears to be clean. The windshield is only properly clean when there are no more areas on the windshield where water beads. A3: Replace wiper blades with genuine wiper blades. Important: Only exchange wiper blades if windshield no longer has water-repellent areas Note: Replacement of wiper blades is not covered under warranty and can be replaced at the expense of the customer. Remedy B: B1: Clean windshield with intensive cleaner A 000 986 40 71. Important: Do not clean the wiper blades otherwise the graphite coating will be damaged. B2: Replace wiper blades with genuine wiper blades • Note: Replacement of wiper blades is not covered under warranty and can be replaced at the expense of the customer. B3: Check the wiper arm for excessive resistance in the bearing. Restore mobility or replace wiper arm if necessary. Remedy C: Problem inherent in design for which there is no technical remedy. Exception: X204 up to 02/2014. In these vehicles, it is possible to install the design configuration of vehicles as of 02/2014. This includes wiper arms (styled arms) with improved behavior in this respect. It is also necessary to replace the wiper blades because the styled arms feature a Top Lock connection (previously Side Lock).

Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the lamp unit is a "closed system". Remedy Headlamp: Remedy 1 Clearing fogged/condensed LED headlamps: 1. Drive vehicle into workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4 °F) and connect the exhaust extraction. Note: Do not perform an engine wash before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the hood. 4. Switch on the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Clearing of fogged/condensed LED headlamps and LED rear lamps on electric vehicles: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4°F). 2. Connect battery backup via a charger. 3. Open the front-end flap and ensure sufficient ventilation. 4. Switch on the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Clearing fogged/condensed halogen/xenon headlamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 °C/+64.4°F). Note: Do not perform an engine wash before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine. 3. Open the hood. 4. Switch off the lights. 5. Leave the vehicle in this state for 60 minutes. 6. Check for formation of condensation, a significant reduction in the formation of condensation must be clearly recognizable (thawing progress). Note: If there is no visible reduction in condensation, check the headlamp for malfunctions. (see Remedy 2) It is not physically possible to defog the headlamps completely. Fogging does not impair the operation or the service life of the headlamp. Note: Only implement Remedy 1 for model series 463 (from model year 2018) and model series 465. Remedy 2 A defective headlamp can be identified as follows: 1. Check the headlamp for external damage and that the cover caps and the diaphragm are correctly seated. 2. Check the electrical connectors of the plugs and pins. 3. Check for leak tightness according to LI82.10-P-078307. The test can only be conducted on headlamps. 4. If the headlamp or the rear lamp has any external damage, replace the component part in accordance with the WIS instructions. Note: External damage to the headlamp/rear lamp or faulty seating of the cover caps does not present a warranty or goodwill case. Note: With headlamps, it is possible to install desiccant packs if the problem occurs repeatedly. • Open ventilation system LI82.10-P-078302 • Closed ventilation system LI82.10-P-078304

Mercedes-Benz AG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain subject vehicles, the TIREFIT sealant bottle may not meet specifications. The possibility exists that the sealant bottle may leak or may have otherwise been removed from the vehicle. MBUSA will conduct a service campaign. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace the TIREFIT bottle in the trunk.

Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to micromovement in the connection between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened and must be tightened to the specified torque. Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove outboard side shafts (extract outer joint gearing from wheel hub) 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") using Molykote and leave to dry for one hour in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts