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2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350, most often about the air bags (39% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). It is 5th of 22 E350 model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Air bags
84 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
I have been waiting three years for repair of the passenger airbag, takata, that has been recalled. Passengers are afraid to drive in the vehicle, rightfully so. I think three years is more than enough time to accomplish a repair. I would like a repair.
Takata recall it has been a year since the notification of a side air bag defect which could injure or kill a passenger, and I have heard nothing from mercedes benz. The local dealer in sarasota, fl says they have no information regarding the replacement. If they are manufacturing vehicles with safe air bags, then why…
Fuel system
35 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel filter, delivery.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to park place motorcars Mercedes-Benz dallas (6113 lemmon ave, dallas, tx 75209, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter was cracked and needed replacement. The vehicle was not…
When pushing gas pedal to the floor to pull out in traffic the car went into limp mode and would not accelerate. Took to dealer and error code is gas pedal sensor. Dealer said it is an issue with the ecu wire harness. This is a known issue. I could have been killed. Has happened 3 times now and dealer has been unable…
Engine
21 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350.the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started to jolt forward. Upon shifting to fourth gear, the vehicle stopped jolting. While depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle jolted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that at start-up, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of sacramento (1810 howe ave, sacramento, ca 95825) where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective o2 sensor. The contact stated that before agreeing to…
Brakes
20 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
Rusted brake lines causing brake fluid leaking and loose break pedal. This is severely affecting break system performance and vehicle safety. Mb dealer quoted $2910.00 plus tax for replacement.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds; when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake pedal failed to return to the original position. The contact stated that upon inspection, the brake pedal felt abnormally loose and there was a brake fluid leak present. The…
Electrical
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, seat heater.
The contact owns a 2012 mercedes benz E350. The contact stated that the wiring harness in the trunk of the vehicle was defective. The defect caused the trunk lid to not open. The vehicle was taken to mercedes benz of ann arbor (570 auto mall dr, ann arbor, mi 4810 where it was determined that the wiring harness needed…
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz e-350. While driving approximately 45 MPH, a "pre safe inoperative see owner manual" warning message appeared. The vehicle decelerated spontaneously. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road to a complete stop and shut off the vehicle. The contact restarted the…
Other or unspecified
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
Pre-safety inoperable message comes on and the car acts sluggish this can be dangerous and risk the safety of the occupants of the vehicle, I found several people with the same complaint on different models and years may be mercedes should be forced to recall the cars affected and fix the problem. Thank you
Suspension
14 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: subframe/mounting bracket.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated his wife had noticed that the steering wheel was off-center and turned to the left independently. Additionally, the contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle flipped sideways. The…
Transmission
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
While driving on an express way in dallas, texas my GPS made an error concerning an exit and I was required to divert quickly to the left to make exit lane .time was 6:00 pm ,heavy traffic conditions and road and weather conditions were excellent and dry. My mercedes pre activated a skid mode and there was…
The contact owns a 2012 mercedes benz E350. The contact stated that the vehicle was secured with the engine turned off when the vehicle rolled away in reverse independently and as the contact was exiting the front driver's side door. The contact was knocked to the ground by the open door, which then crashed into the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: An incorrect air bag may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag on the affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on september 10, 2021. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2015-2016 e400 coupe, 2012-2015 c250 coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, 2011-2014 e350 coupe, and 2012-2014 e350 cabrio vehicles. An incorrect front passenger air bag may have been installed during a prior repair.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began march 29, 2019. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2014 c250, c300 4matic, c350, c63 amg, e350 4matic coupe, e350 cabrio, e350 coupe, sls amg cabrio, sls amg coupe, 2014-2015 c250 coupe, c350 4matic coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, glk 350, glk250 bluetec 4matic, glk350 RWD, 2015-2017 e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabrio, e400 coupe, 2014-2017 e550 cabrio, and 2014-2016 e550 coupe vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of al, ca, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, sc, tx, pr, as, gu, the mp, and vi or "zone a." additionally, mbusa is recalling certain 2012-2014 c250, e350 4matic coupe, sls amg cabrio, 2012-2015 c250 coupe, c350 4matic coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, 2011 c300, 2011-2014 c300 4matic, c350, c63 amg, e350 cabrio, e350 coupe, sls amg coupe, 2015-2016 e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabrio, e400 coupe, 2011-2016 e550 cabrio, e550 coupe, 2011-2015 glk350 4matic, glk350 RWD, and 2013-2015 glk
Air bags: frontal
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in december 6, 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 cla250, cla250 4matic, cla45 amg 4matic, 2015-2018 gla250, gla250 4matic, gla45 amg 4matic, c300 4matic, c63s amg, 2012-2014 c250, c350, c300 4matic, e550 4matic, 2013-2014 c63 amg, 2012-2015 c250 coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, 2013-2015 c350 4matic coupe, glk250 4matic bluetec, glk350, glk350 4matic, 2016-2017 c350e, c43 amg, 2015 c400 4matic, 2016-2018 c63 amg, glc300, glc300 4matic, 2017-2018 c300 coupe, c300 4matic coupe, c43 amg, c63 amg coupe, c63s amg coupe, c300 cabriolet, c300 4matic cabriolet, c43 amg cabriolet, c63 amg cabriolet, c63s amg cabriolet, glc300 4matic coupe, glc43 amg, glc43 amg coupe, 2014 e350 coupe, e350 4matic coupe, e350 cabriolet, e400 hybrid, 2015-2017 e400 coupe, e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabriolet, 2014-2017 e550 coupe, e550 cabriolet, b250e, 2014-2016 e250 bluetec, e63 amg 4matic wago
Electrical: software
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in march 2017. Second notices started going out in october 2018 and continue to be mailed as parts become available. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-496-3691
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2012 c300 4matic, c250, c250 coupe, c350, c350 coupe 4matic, c350 coupe, c63 amg, c63 amg coupe, e350 coupe 4matic, e350 cabrio, e350 coupe, e550 cabrio, e550 coupe, glk350 4matic, glk350, sls amg cabrio, and sls amg coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above mbusa is recalling certain 2009 c300 4matic, c300, c350 and c63 amg vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tenne
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
Fix: Mercedes-benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in february 2013. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 s400, s550, s550 4matic, s63 amg, c300, c300 4matic, e350, glk350, glk350 4matic, cl550 4matic, and cl63 amg vehicles manufactured from april 18, 2011, through july 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: In the event of an accident necessitating the deployment of the right window curtain air bag, the improper stitching may cause it to deflate more quickly than intended, reducing the protection it may provide, resulting in an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Mercedes-benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right side window curtain air bag. The recall began on december 21, 2012. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 2012 e350 and e550 coupe vehicles, manufactured april 2, 2012, through june 29, 2012. Improper stitching of the right side window curtain air bag may cause it to not deploy as intended in the affected vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
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 substa
Rear brake line failure
Summary
On april 10, 2020, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition from mr. Surjit singh alleging premature corrosion of the rear brake lines in his 2013 mercedes-benz e350 sedan. The petitioner states that he was recently informed by a mercedes dealer service department that his car had severely rusted brake lines that need[ed] to be replaced immediately at a cost of about $3300. He further stated that the dealer service advisor informed him that he had seen the issue on many cars like his. The petitioner requested ?that NHTSA launch an investigation into this serious issue of rusting brake lines on [his] 2013 mercedes e350.? The brake line corrosion reported by the
Questions about the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (84 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); fuel system (35 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); engine (21 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 13, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Mercedes-Benz E350?
- It is 5th of 22 E350 model years by number of complaints, with 217 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.