Mercedes-Benz E350 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Mercedes-Benz E350 across 16 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (37). The words owners use most often: “balance shaft” (7% of reports).
- 130power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $5,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Balance shaft: mentioned in 9 of 130 complaints (7%)
- Conductor plate: mentioned in 7 of 130 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Mercedes-Benz E350 at $5,900, and half of them between $4,050 and $8,700.
Based on 13 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2011–2017), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 101 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 130 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury.
Mercedes-Benz E350 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 E350 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2022 E350 | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2021 E350 | 3 | 23% | — |
| 2020 E350 | 1 | 13% | 47,726 |
| 2016 E350 | 5 | 10% | 84,000 |
| 2015 E350 | 1 | 3% | 24,125 |
| 2014 E350 | 15 | 5% | 48,500 |
| 2013 E350 | 7 | 4% | 44,550 |
| 2012 E350 | 10 | 5% | 20,000 |
| 2011 E350 | 6 | 3% | 62,000 |
| 2010 E350 | 14 | 8% | 94,000 |
| 2009 E350 | 2 | 3% | 157,382 |
| 2008 E350 | 5 | 3% | 71,888 |
| 2007 E350 | 21 | 6% | 69,872 |
| 2006 E350 | 37 | 9% | 72,740 |
| 2003 E350 | 1 | 14% | 9,559 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:axle assembly; suspension:rearDo not drive
Model years: 2025
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2025 E 350, E 350 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC, and E450 4MATIC station wagon vehicles. The camber strut bracket may have been improperly welded onto the rear axle carrier, possibly resulting in separation of the bracket from the rear axle carrier.
Risk: Rear axle carrier failure can cause a sudden loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will replace the rear axle carrier, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 22, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120015.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Engine misfires, lower engine power, and a lit check engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Mercedes-Benz issued an Emission Service Campaign (No. [redacted], internal code 21P1590208) to replace out-of-spec ignition coils on 657 vehicles from model year 2021, including the E-Class. My VIN was not…
While driving my 2026 Mercedes-Benz E350 (rear-wheel drive) at approximately 40 mph, I began slowing for a traffic light. As I approached the intersection, the vehicle suddenly experienced what appeared to be a catastrophic electronic failure. Without warning, the vehicle became almost completely…
With the car only have about 15,000 miles the transmission has failed . I have seen there have been recalls of other models with similar complaints of transmission failure .
Major issue found with engine cylinder head in various models with 2.0 Liter Turbo charged engines (Engine code M260 or M264). Cylinder heads have premature wear at valve seats, causing engine misfires and unsafe driving conditions. (Sudden loss of power, even on freeways.) Mercedes-Benz had…
The contact owned a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to drive(D), the gear shifter detached from the steering column. No warning light was illuminated. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mercedes-Benz E350s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 130 owner complaints about power train for the Mercedes-Benz E350. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mercedes-Benz E350 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Mercedes-Benz E350?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,900 (half paid between $4,050 and $8,700), from 13 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Mercedes-Benz E350?
The most frequent phrase is “balance shaft”, in 9 of 130 complaints, followed by “conductor plate” (7).
Other Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (537)
- Air Bags problems (396)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (227)
- Engine problems (196)
- Service Brakes problems (186)
- Electrical System problems (179)
- Suspension problems (117)
- Structure problems (106)
See all Mercedes-Benz E350 problems.