An Intoxalock ignition interlock device was installed in my 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class on May 7, 2026. Following installation, the vehicle experienced repeated electrical/no-start problems and incidents in which it became immobilized and could not be moved, requiring towing. On one occasion the vehicle became disabled on a roadway/highway, leaving me in a dangerous position with traffic passing around me. When the vehicle is immobilized, I cannot simply move it to a safe location, and Intoxalock has not been able to restore vehicle operation remotely. I have had to wait for towing assistance, sometimes for extended periods. Independent diagnostic/service facilities have evaluated the vehicle. One attributed battery drain to the Intoxalock-related problem. Another attributed starter damage to it. Service documentation also reflects diagnosis of the Intoxalock system and reinstallation/reconnection of the device and wiring. Documentation is available, and the equipment/vehicle can be made available for inspection upon request. The vehicle now displays numerous dashboard warning lights and is not operating normally. Safety-related systems are malfunctioning, including ABS, parking assistance, camera functions, and automatic braking/collision-avoidance functions that previously operated normally. I am concerned that the Intoxalock device, its installation/wiring, or its interaction with this vehicle’s electrical/electronic systems may be contributing to these failures. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this aftermarket ignition-interlock equipment presents a safety or compatibility risk, particularly when a vehicle can become immobilized in traffic and safety systems may be affected.
Mercedes-Benz E350 won't start problems
25 of the 2,222 owner complaints about the Mercedes-Benz E350 describe won't start, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,300
- typical mileage
- 90,000
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel pump 10Fuel smell 7Stalling 3Fuel leak 3Loss of power 2Check engine light 2Steering lock-up 1
What owners say
The car would not start, and displaying multiple rotating warnings. The car could not be shifted to neutral. The problem is going away after several hours by itself. Only check engine light remaining after car is able to start. The problem happened three times, most recent on October 20th. The last two problems were potentially addressed by updating software. Obviously the problem is still not fixed.
The car would not start as the fuel pump was faulty and is part of the tank design. Mbz knew of the problem because they repaired or replaced some of the cars but I was never notified till the problem. It cost me under $3,800 to repair and replace the gas tank even though they repaired a lot of cars. My repair was finished on 05/14/18. I paid $3,409.33 for the repair and I want to be reimbursed for it. I filed a complaint back in 05/31/2018 under the complaint number [xxx]. I need help to get my money back. This was a bad design on their part. Thank you, [xxx] the car would not start fuel pump faulty and is part of gas tank bad design cost me close to $3800, some paid by mbz. Mbz replaced 2009 gas tanks for free under warrenty but would not do mine. This is a bad design they should have told me about it so I would not buy the car. It is stupid to have to reaplce gas tank in order to replace a fuel pump in 2012 I had gas leakage from the same area and I paid to fix it they should have told me this would be a problem. Instead they kep silent when I take my car for service they always list of things to do so I can spend more money at the dealership why the [xxx]no body bothered to tell me about this problem that it would cost me a lot of moneyto fix . This car has cost over $60,000 to buy and I did not pay that kind of money for a car to last me only 12 years. Mbzs are supposed to last 30 years or more so ifeel cheated big time I think they are hiding this because they will get sued big time and I hope they do bothe the dealership and the mbz company. The dealership is mercedes benz of valencia in valencia, ca 91355. Phone number 661‑753‑5555. I have the necessary paperwork. I would like to be reimbursed fro all the cost, the 3 weeks without a car and fro the pain and suffering they have caused me and so it will be a lesson to mbz and their dealers not to pratice this fraud. I am available for an interview or more information as needed. Regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act
Car wouldn't start. Light came on when I attempted to start the car but it wouldn't come on. Diagnosis found that it's due to a very common problem with mercedes benz e class cars-a failed electronic ignition switch (eis). Ignition switch and key must be replaced. I was told that the cost will be $2,103 and it will take up to 10 days to repair (car was towed 3 days ago). This cost does not include costs for a rental car.
My vehicle is a 2011 e350 mercedes all a & b service from the same dealership parkplace mercedes. We are currently in a pandemic so I start my vehicle and drive it around once or twice a week. I stays in a sheltered parking garage area and last week I started my car drove up to my building ran in to get some gloves because I was going to store and when I returned to my vehicle it would not start. Parkplace mercedes service called back and stated they had to order the part and it would be here in 1-2 days and cost would be $1691 for new esl part & labor. I asked the service asst manager how much was the part and he told me $447. I called the parts department to see how much the part was and I was told $544 and only mercedes could do the job and parts are in stock. A bit confused I called and spoke with the parkplace manager off lemmon ave in dallas and I was told he was unsure if program key could be actioned by a after market dealer but would check and let me know. The asst manager called back and I advised of my confusion and he advised he would seek answers and call me back. I received a call back from the asst manager and was advised the 2 that was in stock was for 2 other vehicles that was having the same issue. My question is how is it legal for mercedes to advise they can only do the work on a vehicle I own? And addition if I were to get an after market shop to do the work and they have the equipment to reprogram the key, why can I not go to another shop? Is this information available in the manual in mercedes service books? This should be a easy recall because the technicians are not troubleshooting to see if the motor that is inside the esl can be replaced. I know it's a pandemic and revenue is at an all time low but lying to customers is not the correct approach. I sent an email and requested troubleshooting of esl of my vehicle. It could be a quick fix.
I have a 2008 mercedes e350 pzev model and the issue I came across is a major one. These models in particular have a big reputation on failing fuel pumps, and to make things worse on the pzev versions it can not be fixed unless the whole fuel tanked is swapped with a new one. The fuel pump is located inside the gas tank and its sealed just so there's no way of fixing the issue, on the other hand the non-pzev models have a replaceable pump which reduces the work and money to fix the issue. Mercedes has an applied extended factory warranty for the model w211 which covers this issue until 15years / unlimited miles for non-pzev models and 15years / 150k miles for pzev models. I see this very wrong because the pzev models are super expensive to fix and many people are over the 150k mile mark. This term should have been applied to the pzev models. I purchased this vehicle for $3,200 but to fix this problem it is over than $3,500. I am requesting mercedes to help me on this situation as these cars are well know to fail in that department. As it stands this car is unsafe to drive, it releases lots of raw gas smell and sometimes it will not start. I want mercedes to take full responsibility of this matter because this issue could have been a couple hundred dollar fix if the design after tank wasn't so bad. There are thousands of people complaining about the same issue with the pzev models and most of them are over the 150k mile limit which is not enough considering the age of the vehicles.
My car was running suddenly stop and does not start, I take it to mercedes dealer and they charge me $195.00 plus tax to scanned it they found the ECM engine control module need to be replace. Cost is $2,300 plus tax. Please contact me for at your convenience so I can take further steps towards mercedes benz.
I was told my battery did not pass medtronics testing during scheduled maintenance service but I chose not to replace battery at that time, exactly 1 week later my car does not start while out running errands. I try to jump start vehicle and still unable to start it...I have it towed to the dealership it was at 1 week prior. They replace battery at $425 then tell me that my car still won't start. They run other diagnostic tests and tell me that my key is not recognizing the steering wheel; that the steering wheel lock module needs to be replaced at a cost of $1409. My car is still under warranty although, but I am being told that this steering lock issue is not covered under warranty.
The car would not start fuel pump faulty and is part of gas tank bad design cost me close to $3800, some paid by mbz. Mbz replaced 2009 gas tanks for free under warranty but would not do mine. This is a bad design they should have told me about it so I would not buy the car. It is stupid to have to replace gas tank in order to replace a fuel pump in 2012 I had gas leakage from the same area and I paid to fix it they should have told me this would be a problem. Instead they kept silent when I take my car for service they always list of things to do so I can spend more money at the dealership why the [xxx] no body bothered to tell me about this problem that it would cost me a lot of money to fix . This car has cost over $60,000 to buy and I did not pay that kind of money for a car to last me only 12 years. Mbzs are supposed to last 30 years or more so ifeel cheated big time I think they are hiding this because they will get sued big time and I hope they do both the dealership and the mbz company. The dealership is mercedes banz of valencia in valencia, ca 91355. Phone number 661‑753‑5555. I have the necessary paperwork. I would like to be reimbursed fro all the cost, the 3 weeks without a car and fro the pain and suffering they have caused me and so it will be a lesson to mbz and their dealers not to pratice this fraud. I am available for an interview or more information as needed. Regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Drove the car 20 minutes started to notice smell out of the back seat gasoline 5 min later it stalled 2 streets from my house. . Tryed starting the cranking over but no start. The next day shop called told me that both of the fuel pumps in the gas tank are bad. 1.500.00 dollar repair. Is that safe for fuel pumps do do that
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 won't start
Which Mercedes-Benz E350 years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (6 complaints), 2008 (6 complaints) and 2006 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Mercedes-Benz E350?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,300 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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