What 295 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-benz E-class Wagon

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 hazard and a common problem that has been acknowledged by the manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI 11707695

Subject: Safety Concern – 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 inspection, it was discovered that: The rear subframe is broken due to rust. The brake lines are extremely rusted, and I was advised that I could lose braking control if they are not replaced immediately. The estimated repair cost exceeds $4,000. I have been a long-time owner of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and part of the Mercedes-Benz family. However, I am now deeply concerned about the safety of myself, my family, and others on the road due to this severe corrosion issue, which I believe may be a widespread defect. I respectfully request that Mercedes-Benz investigate this issue and provide assistance, as the failure of these critical components poses a serious safety hazard. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [Phone: [XXX] ] [Email: [XXX] ] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11689944

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 subframe and lines rust at the same rate. And I would presume both cause equal safety risk. Why have they not yet issued an extended warranty on the brake lines? Both of these appear to be common issues. Hopefully NHTSA can encourage a change.

NHTSA ODI 11683829

Brake lines rust and corrode at the plastic support clips. Brake lines are not made from quality materials. Suffrage also corroded. Suffrage was changed by dealer though when vehicle was returned the Brake lines were broken. Car entered Suffrage service with brake lines intact, rusted i wouldn't doubt but intact. When returned after changing Suffrage, brake line was broken and leaking brake fluid. Extremely dangerous to return vehicle with broken brake lines and expected Owner to drive away with no brakes. Changing brake lines was offered at a cost of $4000 but the lines were not broken upon dropping off for service. Brake lines should be warrantied and changed to a less corrosive material. Engine mounts fail and cause vibration.

NHTSA ODI 11683488

Rear brake lines are known to corrode. Had to get my line replaced at 78xxx miles. This is a common problem for the w212 Mercedes, along with the rear sub-frame rusting away. If the brake lines bursted when I was driving, I could of lost my life.

NHTSA ODI 11647869

The known Subframe rust recall issue has caused the brake lines to rust and mercedes in St Louis wont cover the expense to fix this known extra problem. They want $2200.00 to fix the brakes that other dealers would charge half for. They want to escape this problem and I just want this fixed at their cost.

NHTSA ODI 11618566

I bought my vehicle to the Mercedes dealership to get the rear subframe replaced under extended warranty due to it being rusted and broken from the rear suspension attachment points. While the Mercedes technician had the subframe removed he noted that the rear brake lines which are routed under the body and between the subframe had significant rust/corrosion on them.

NHTSA ODI 11589737

Bake line rusted through and drained brake fluid. Dashboard lit up bright red with a warning not to drive the car. Brake failure, spongy brake.

NHTSA ODI 11534850

The rear subframe has prematurely rusted. It had a shear failure at speed on the highway when I applied the brakes. The rear end of the car swerved, almost causing me to crash. I did manage to decelerate the car in a controlled fashion. I did not know the rear subframe failed at the time. This was confirmed by an independent mechanic several days later. After research, it looks as though a recall has already been issued for this issue in Canada and potentially Germany. The mechanic tells me that until the issue is repaired the vehicle is unsafe to drive. My and others safety was put at risk due to the failure of vehicle control at 65 mph on a busy road. The problem was verified by an independent mechanic. No police, insurance provider, or Mercedes dealer has inspected the car/damage, only an independent mechanic. No prior indicators were given either directly or indirectly prior to failure. I did keep the part for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ODI 11506572

I noticed fluid on the ground under my car in the driveway. Turns out it was brake fluid, the vehicle alerted me to low brake fluid. Here was a broken brake line which appears to have been caused by the subframe being rusted out. The issue is with the rear subframe on the Mercedes’ E and C class dating from 2008 on. Mine is a 2011 E class. The subframes on these vehicles rust and rot out causing issues to the brake lines and rear suspension parts rotting / rusting out due to the subframe being compromised. I’ve taken my vehicle to the dealer to look at the brake line and I was advised that the subframe was rusting out and should be replaced as well, it will only worsen, creating a safety hazard while driving because it can cause the car not to stop properly and difficult to control. I’ve taken the vehicle to repair shop and was told the same. Also was advised by both the dealer and private repair shops that this is a common issue with these vehicles, yet there is no recall by Mercedes in this country. Canada has a recall for this issue and other countries as well but not the USA. I was quoted $5000 to fix the issue by putting a new subframe, repairing is not possible. The part itself is on back order almost everywhere due to the commonality of this issue. This has caused the price to go up in cost due to the demand. A junkyard / car parts quoted me $2000 for a used subframe. As a service connected disabled Veteran I find this issue to be very concerning and ask why this is not a recall that Mercedes should replace without cost to the consumer. I hope that my complaint and hopefully others as well can get this issue resolved and hold Mercedes accountable. The subframe rust out yet other parts around it does not, this has to be a manufacturer issue with the sub frame. Reports of this issue are in warm weather southern states with no snow or salt issues as well as northern states

NHTSA ODI 11493197

While in a mall parking lot I stepped on the brake and the pedal went down to the floor. I pulled over into a safe location and placed the car in park. I got out and looked at all four wheels and saw brake fluid leaking out of the left rear brake line. I had the car towed to my authorized service center. After inspecting the auto they informed me both rear brake lines were severely rusted out and the left rear burst where it attached to the break hose. They replaced both rear lines and hoses from the center of the car back to solve the issue. This is the first time in all the cars I've owned (including 5 previous Mercedes) that I have had brake lines rust through. I feel this is an extremely serious safety issue that shouldn't occur on an 11 year old car with about 111,000 miles on it (about 10,000 miles/year). After researching this issue on various online forums it appears this was not an isolated incident and should be looked into.

NHTSA ODI 11462357

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM ON A CLEAR, SUNNY DAY, ABOUT A MINUTE AWAY FROM MY HOME. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD, AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC. I STOPPED AT THE CORNER TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I PROCEEDED TO TURN, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT JUMPED THE CURB ( CAUGHT ON PROPERTY OWNER'S CAMERA, GOING AIR BORN) , AS I CONTINUED TO BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD WITH THE CAR INCREASINGLY ACCELERATING.I CRASHED THROUGH A FENCE AND HIT A POLE WHICH STOPPED THE CAR DEPLOYING BOTH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS. THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR, AND IT WAS TOTALED. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE.MY INJURY WAS DIAGNOSED AS ACUTE L1 COMPRESSION FRACTURE ALONG THE SUPERIOR ENDPLATE WITH MILD ANTERIOR WEDGING. I WAS REFERRED TO AN ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST AND HAVE NOT RETURNED TO WORK DUE TO PAIN AND ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, TWO DAYS LATER I WAS ISSUED A WARNING FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL SPEED!@&!

NHTSA ODI 11301964

BRAKE LINE CORRODED LEAKING. FUEL LINE CCORRODED

NHTSA ODI 10902081

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE FRONT BRAKES OVERHEATED AND WARPED PREMATURELY DUE TO THE FRONT DISCS AND ROTORS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE BRAKES HAVING A STRONG SENSATION, OVERHEATING, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10855669

EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING FROM 50-40MPH. TOLD BY A DEALER THAT ALL BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE (ESTIMATED $1200). CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING ENVIRONMENT, KNOWN PROBLEM ON 2010-2012 E350/E550, YET MB REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10627403

I WAS COMING OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE. I PROCEEDED TO THE ENTRANCE TO GARAGE. THE STREET WAS NARROW FOR TWO CARS TO PASS BY. I MADE A RIGHT TURN FROM THE GARAGE EXIT TO THE NARROW STREET WITH 5 MPH SPEED. THERE WERE TWO CARS ABOUT 25 FEET AWAY ALREADY ON THAT STREET. THOSE TWO CARS WERE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN ON MAIN STREET AT THE T JUNCTION. SUDDENLY MY CAR ACCELERATED TO 45 MPH APPROXIMATELY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE DID NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN THE CAR. WITH THE BRAKE NOT WORKING AND THE CAR ACCELERATING VERY FAST, THE CAR BECAME OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS APPROACHING THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME, I STEERED MY CAR TO THE LEFT OF THESE TWO CARS. I WENT FAST BEYOND THESE TWO CARS AND CAME ON THE MAIN ROAD. I NOTICED A CAR WAS COMING CLOSE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE WHICH WOULD HAVE HIT MY CAR. AT THE SAME TIME, I NOTICED THAT ON THE LANE ON LEFT SIDE THERE WAS NO CAR IN CLOSE VICINITY. TO PROTECT OTHER CARS HITTING MY CAR, I STEERED MY CAR TO THE LEFT LANE AND DROVE MY CAR OVER THE CURB. THE CAR WENT OVER THE CURB AND HIT A STREET ELECTRIC POLE. THE CURB AND THE POLE STOPPED THE CAR. THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE POLE. THE IMPACT OF SUDDEN STOP DESTROYED THE FRONT MIDDLE PART OF THE CAR AND ALSO SHATTERED THE GLASS WINDSHIELD. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. UPON MY INSISTING, MERCEDES BENZ CHECKED THE CAR FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKE FAILURE. THEY TOLD US THAT NOTHING WAS MALFUNCTIONING IN MY CAR. I DO NOT TRUST THEM: SO I SEEK YOUR HELP IN THIS INVESTIGATION FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKE FAILURE AS THEY DID NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF CAR MALFUNCTIONING. I WAS TAKEN TO EMERGENCY FOR TREATMENT IN AN AMBULANCE. I MISSED SEVERAL DAYS FROM OFFICE. I AM STILL PHYSICALLY HURTING ON NECK/SHOULDERS AND CONTINUE TO TAKE PRESCRIPTION PAIN KILLERS; BUT LUCKY TO BE LIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10522362