2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other E350 years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 22 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350. That ranks 4th out of 22 E350 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (108 complaints, 48%), typically at around 50,000 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 223owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 108 | 48% | 50,000 | “takata air bags” (19%) | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 28 | 13% | 59,400 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 18 | 8% | 46,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 17 | 8% | 156,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 15 | 7% | 69,236 | — | — |
| Engine | 13 | 6% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 13 | 6% | 65,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 11 | 5% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 8 | 4% | 87,890 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 3% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 6 | 3% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 4 | 2% | 65,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 2% | 112,072 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 2% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 1% | 10,700 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 1% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 0% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 0% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0% | 11,145 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 0% | 39,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Problem: 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 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible 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 model year 2008 C300 Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan and C300 4-Matic Sedan 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, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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 passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Fuel system, gasoline
Problem: 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.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Rear brake line failure (DP20004) — opened Apr 24, 2020, closed Oct 9, 2020.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Without an impact or collision, my car's passenger seat headrest shot out. I've been checking and others have done this as well. This morning, the driver's side headrest shot out without impact or collision. There is something wrong with the mechanism or airbags for the headrests. This can be…
Dealer notes: Replace rear brake lines, found to be rusty recommend replacement with rear subframe replacement. This is a very well known issue and is not covered under recall from manufacturer. It will cost $3200 for brake line repair alone, not including the subframe. This is an extreme safety…
Subject: Safety Concern â Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC (2011) Subframe and Brake Line Rust Dear [Mercedes-Benz Customer Care / NHTSA], I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding my 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC. Recently, I brought my vehicle in for recall service, and during the…
Rear crossmember or ( rear subframe frame ) rust and It broke due to corrosion
Brake lines have completely rusted through. Car had additional rust issues on the subframe which Mercedes admitted and replaced as part of an extended warranty . When that was repaired they never mentioned the brakes. Now 3 months later the brake lines rusted completely through ⦠seems both…
Other Mercedes-Benz E350 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 E350 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 E350 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 E350 | 5 | 4 |
| 2023 E350 | 6 | 3 |
| 2022 E350 | 9 | 3 |
| 2021 E350 | 13 | 12 |
| 2020 E350 | 8 | 6 |
| 2017 E350 | 7 | 0 |
| 2016 E350 | 51 | 5 |
| 2015 E350 | 31 | 6 |
| 2014 E350 | 278 | 8 |
| 2013 E350 | 163 | 6 |
| 2012 E350 | 217 | 7 |
| 2011 | 223 | 5 |
| 2010 E350 | 184 | 4 |
| 2009 E350 | 64 | 4 |
| 2008 E350 | 173 | 4 |
| 2007 E350 | 350 | 5 |
| 2006 E350 | 399 | 4 |
| 2005 E350 | 15 | 0 |
| 2004 E350 | 10 | 0 |
| 2003 E350 | 7 | 0 |
See all Mercedes-Benz E350 problems by year, every Mercedes-Benz model, or the Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes-Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350?
Owners most often report air bags, fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 108 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other E350 model years, the 2011 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.