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2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 electrical problems

19 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000.

owner complaints
19
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
70,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Seat heater: wiring harness
    1
  • Ignition
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mercedes-Benz E350 electrical problems in other years

200320052010201520202026

Related recalls

Electrical system: softwareReported March 14, 2017 · 51 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Risk
If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.

Recall number 17V177000 · Recall details

What 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Electrical, Seats · FL

The vehicle was parked when the steering wheel locked , and the headrest. The electrical for my headlight driver side low beam gave me a warning lamp message.

Filed May 15, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · 35,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes- Benz E350. The contact stated while operating the vehicle the odor of fuel was present coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection it was discovered that the fuel had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Also, the contact indicated that the front driver seat heat element had overheated and cause melting to the seat cushion. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front driver seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed May 17, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · FL

Steering wheel lock module steering wheel was locked in place and vehicle wouldn’t do anything.

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Camshaft sensors and solenoid leak oil internally which then gets into the sensors electrical connector. From the the oil enters the engine wire harness through capillary action maki g it’s way to other sensors and ultimately the DME (Digital Motor Electronics). This can cause February DME to fail which in turn can make the engine stop running.

Filed Dec 15, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · MN

The camshaft position sensors leak oil into wiring harness. The oil circulates to other engine sensors and the ECU(engine control computer). Oil in the other sensors and the ECU causes the car to stop operating or operate erratically while driving. a real problem. This is a safety issue there should not be oil leaking into the ECU! The mercedes dealer replaced the leaking camshaft position sensors and confirmed oil had leaked into the ECU and wiring harness on december 13,2021. They recommended replacing the wiring harness and ECU at cost of $6500. I have the replaced bad sensors. Mercedes says they have no culpability in this or a fix. The mercedes complaint number is #23264730932. The previous mercedes engine generation had the same problem and mercedes did a recall on that engine.

Filed Nov 4, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Cam adjustment solenoids leak oil into the engine wiring harness causing component failures, rough running and stalling. This problem was diagnosed and replaced by the dealer at 48k miles and has returned at 116k miles. There is a recall for models prior to 2012 and this car has the same problem. Eventually the engine will quit running at any given moment posing a dangerous situation.

Filed Sep 8, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · NJ

My vehicle when coming to a stop throws itself in the park around 5 mph. I have almost gotten hit by vehicles behind me several times.

Filed Jun 10, 2021 · Electrical · TX

50% of the time car is placed in reverse back up camera screen has no picture just a black screen. Mercedes benz of austin ran diagnostics but could not find a problem. I am aware that there is a recall for earlier models on the back up camera but recall does not include 2012 e350. Problem started about 2 years or so ago. It is an intermittent problem starting about 2 years ago and has been ongoing.

Filed Jun 4, 2021 · Electrical · CO

The key in the electronic ignition switch is not recognized causing the car to suddenly throw itself into park while the vehicle is still in motion, at speeds as high as 6 mph, per service bulletin #LI54.25-P-056472. The issue is intermittent and unpredictable and puts the driver at great risk of an accident because the car stops violently and without warning to the cars behind. The car can be put back into Drive and as soon as you start driving again, it will immediately throw itself back into park, which sometimes happens over and over again. This has put me in the position of having entered an intersection only to have my car stop in the middle of the intersection. I've been nearly hit from behind or side several times due to the unexpected and sudden stop my car made when this happened. Despite reporting the TSB to the Mercedes dealership, they would not cover the out of warranty repair because they said it's "only a service bulletin and not a safety recall." This is VERY CLEARLY a safety issue and there are hundreds if not thousands of drivers and cars affected based on internet searches of MB and auto forums.

Filed May 25, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · VA

1. Backup camera will periodically display a blank screen when shifted into reverse. System has to be shutdown and restarted to get the camera to work again. Tends to happen on rainy days when camera most needed. No accident has occurred as a result to date. Date of last occurrence is an approximation. 2. Distronic Plus system (Adaptive cruise) will disengage unexpectedly when coming to a stop in traffic or if in stop and go traffic. The system beeps once and a red light flashes, but this is easily missed if radio is playing or driver is distracted. This has almost caused several roll forward rear-end collisions, prevented only by quick driver intervention. Neither issue has been addressed with the dealer since the vehicle is out of warranty.

Questions about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 electrical

Does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the electrical of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 17V177000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mercedes-Benz E350 have the most electrical problems?

The Mercedes-Benz E350 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2014 (38 complaints), 2006 (19 complaints) and 2008 (19 complaints).

Other 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems

Airbags 84Fuel system 35Engine 21Brakes 20Suspension 14Transmission 10Steering 9Body 8Seats 8Driver assistance 5Seat belts 4Tires 4Wheels 4Visibility 1

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