The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, and occasionally while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized, and the message “Power Steering Malfunction” was displayed. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,500.
Mercedes-Benz E350 engine failure problems
24 of the 2,222 owner complaints about the Mercedes-Benz E350 describe engine failure, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 24
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 81,600
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20211
- 20171
- 20162
- 20144
- 20131
- 20122
- 20112
- 20102
- 20081
- 20072
- 20066
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 4Stalling 2Fuel smell 2Check engine light 2Transmission failure 1Loss of power 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0016 2P0017 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. The contact parked the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed pieces of the serpentine belt on the engine. The contact turned the vehicle off. The contact went to a nearby Auto Parts store and purchased a new serpentine belt. The contact replaced the serpentine belt, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that upon checking the data on the instrument panel, the contact became aware of several error messages. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The contact turned off the vehicle and the steering wheel functionality returned. The contact stated that the low coolant warning light illuminated; however, the coolant level was checked and was sufficient. Additionally, the contact stated that the drive assist warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics regarding the drive assist warning light; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.
The engine in these cars are defective and can cause serious harm due to a part that was put inside the motor made of plastic. There was a lawsuit but if you didn’t get in on it you losses out for not knowing. I was recently at Mercedes dealership to fix recalls and they brushed me off. The car can catch fire and I’m already experiencing engine failure after only owning the car for a year. They don’t care because it’s an old car but it’s still being sold to unsuspecting buyers. I’m not the only one there are thousands of us who are at risk driving these cars because Mercedes won’t admit their off the showroom floor mistake.
Rear subframe rusted was covered under an extended warranty (after a lawsuit), but the rear brake lines are also very rusted and not covered by warranty. Rear springs also broken (rusted) and bolts seized.
Dealership stated on 6/4/24 extensive rust and perforations on rear vehicle sub frame that can cause risk to driver of accident or injury. MBUSA is offering to replace sub frame part # 212 350 38 05. However dealership advised MBUSA is not offering to replace corroded brake lines or brake fluid exchange, and would need to come out of pocket. MBUSA failed to notify me of safety defect. Vehicle was purchased from MB of Arlington, VA in 4/2019 however dealership sold vehicle that is dangerous to drive. The vehicle also has additional safety defects such as a passenger tail light that does not work, and a license plate light not functioning. Dealership wants an additional $1500 to replace these (2) lights. Vehicle has low mileage at 60,000 and was purchased with 35,000 under MB CPO program. I am very disappointed in Mercedes Benz and have never had so many quality and safety issues with any of my prior E-Classes before. I contacted MBUSA and opened up a Executive Care Escalations Case [XXX}. There was no warning lights of the impending safety feature. The level of rust on the sub frame is horrifying, and this vehicle should never have been sold to me under MB CPO. In addition, the vehicle engine is leaking oil in multiple places and could catch fire in any moment. I have never seen so many issues on a vehicle with low mileage, especially with a Mercedes. Dealer is refusing to assist with cost, and wants 2K+ to replace engine gaskets. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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)
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle the emergency brake independently seized. The contact stated that the vehicle abruptly stopped. The vehicle would not drive forward or backward. The contact contacted the dealer and a service technician was dispatched to the location. The service technician connected the vehicle to the diagnostic equipment. The contact was advised that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake caliber voltage malfunction and the brake caliber voltage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,001.
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the power steering function was inoperable, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured steering box. The contact was informed that the steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts to complete the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
The rear subframe / axle carrier on vehicle failed. Rear subframe / axle carrier had significant corrosion / rot and large rust holes present. Also, the rear suspension parts & air shocks were seized / corroded to the rear subframe. Dealer advised vehicle was unsafe to drive.
We just purchased a 2006 Mercedes for our teenage sons and had a dealer look at it before we purchased it. They told us there were a couple of codes that were worth watching but that it wasn’t anything significant right now. After the car started jerking and shaking while driving it, we brought it in to dealership where they told us it had a common code for Mercedes in this timeframe P0016. Repair estimate is nearly $5000 to replace timing chain and balance shaft, or a new engine which would be roughly the same. After researching on my own upon being told this code, I found all of the information about the class action lawsuit and settlement, which of course we are too late to be a part of. The dealer said there is a potential that the car could just seize up at some point, so I don’t want my young sons to be out on the road when that happens. I am very frustrated and upset that this wasn’t a recall since it apparently affected a huge amount of vehicles manufactured within this time frame. There is a specific list of engines with known issues and ours is among them. Mercedes Benz should be held responsible for making this right because it was definitely a quality issue. Now we are stuck with an unsafe vehicle, or a massive expense due to defect.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 C300, E350, and GLC300 vehicles equipped with turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engines. The screws that retain the turbocharger oil feed and return lines may not have been properly tightened, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
- Risk
- An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger oil lines and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020070017.
Recall number 20V364000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mercedes Benz E350, E400, E400 4Matic, E63 4M S AMG, E350 4Matic, E63-4M S AMG, 2015 CLS400, CLS400 4Matic, CLS550, CLS63-4M "P" AMG, and CLS550 4Matic vehicles manufactured April 16, 2015, to April 22, 2015. The integral steel cable that secures the rubber seal to the bulkhead might have been damaged due to the supplier rework of the rubber seal. In the event the rubber seal is not properly secured around the engine compartment, it is possible for the rubber seal to temporarily stick to the hood when it is opened and then may fall into the engine bay when the hood is closed.
- Risk
- If the rubber seal falls into the engine compartment, it may contact parts of the engine or exhaust system, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber seal, in the engine compartment, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2015. MBUSA's number is 2015080001. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑201‑573‑5339.
Recall number 15V505000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercedes-Benz E350 engine failure
Which Mercedes-Benz E350 years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (6 complaints), 2014 (4 complaints) and 2007 (2 complaints).
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