2014 Mercedes-Benz E350: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Electrical · CA · fire

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.

Filed May 22, 2024 · Electrical · IL · fire

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.

Filed Aug 28, 2023 · Electrical · NJ

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.

Filed Nov 8, 2022 · Fuel system · TX

On my way to work lady Tuesday 11/1/22 just a few blocks from my AT&T office I started smelling fuel. I thought it was an lad car next to me. Looking at the rear mirror I noticed a line of fuel following me. By the time I pulled a side and shut down the vehicle I lost the full tank. The vehicle was towed and is still at Mercedes Benz of Plano, Plano, TX. The tech said the orings had gone bad and the hose deteriorated. It seems very similar to this recall https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2014-mercedes-benz-e350-recalled-for-fuel-line-problem.html I called Mercedes USA and opened CASE [XXX]. No reply yet. Fortunate the car didn’t catch on fire or someone thrower a cigarette while I was driving they downtown. Leaking fuel should not happen INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Oct 24, 2022 · Electrical · CA

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.

Filed Sep 20, 2022 · Electrical · WI · crash · fire

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.

Filed Mar 13, 2021 · Electrical · 59,000 miles · GA · fire

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

Filed Nov 2, 2020 · Electrical · 55,450 miles · NJ

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

Filed Sep 30, 2020 · 57,750 miles · MD · fire

After driving for 1 hour, back seat shelf speaker made a loud popping and humming noise and emitted a strong burning smell. Trunk opened and confirmed smoke coming from rear amplifier, strong smell of plastic melting and speakers were too hot to touch. Disconnected amplifier from battery and took vehicle to dealer who confirmed. Dealer re-hooked amplifier to battery, confirmed that amplifier was indeed smoking and speakers would need replacing as well. Vehicle only has 57,750 miles and is out of warrantee. Local dealer maintenance representative agreed that a vehicle with such low mileage should not be catching fire but dealer would not cover cost of repair.

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Electrical · 67,300 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Jun 30, 2020 · Body, Electrical · 67,000 miles · CA

I was driving the car down 880 until I suddenly heard a cracklings noise coming from the back of my car. I had just gotten the car serviced a week before so this was very unpleasant and surprising. I ended up turning back and parking my car at home. The next day while driving to the dealer I still heard the noise and there was a weird burning smell. The noise continued even after shutting off the car. I went to the dealer and they diagnosed that the right passenger speaker had melted and they also changed my amp. In my dealer notes, it states that there have been multiple occurrences yet it seems like there is no recall.

Filed Jul 30, 2019 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 mercedes-benz e350. While driving 35 MPH, the contact smelled a burning odor and noticed smoke coming from the rear passenger door. The contact pulled over and heard a sizzling noise coming from the rear passenger door speaker. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The manufacturer was notified and advised that the vehicle be taken to a local dealer. The contact drove to mercedes-benz of pleasanton (5885 owens dr, pleasanton, ca 94588, (925) 463-2525) where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger speaker was melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000.