Home · 2011 Mercedes-benz E-class · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (295)Crash / fire / injury (18)Airbags (140)Suspension (37)Fuel system (36)Body & structure (16)Brakes (16)Engine (15)Steering (12)Transmission & drivetrain (10)Electrical system (7)Seats (7)

15 of 295 complaints match · Engine · clear filters

Aug 27, 2025BrakesEngine

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

Jan 18, 2023Electrical systemEngineFuel system

I noticed about to 6 months or less that my car would shut off or stall after starting ignition and also hearing water sloshing behind the dashboard and the radio does not work and the rear camera goes on/off which is safety hazard, and the Engine symbol remain lighted up even after checking all components. Also, on a few occasion my floorboard in the passenger back seat would be soak and wet. I took the car to my mechanic, and he inform that the drain valve was not working properly. after doing some research on the internet I found that this particular incident was happening in several of Mercedes years 2009-2011 E50, that it was a recall on the water drain system. Also, on 01/17/23 my sunroof was working without any problems, I attempted to close it and it stop midday and i hear the motor working, but the sunroof did not move, I did more research and found a recall on the bonding glue for sunroof and the glass was detached without warning. Even though my vehicle is not on the recall list, my car is having the same exacts problems and issues and reported by NHTSA. I would appreciate as response or advice to solve these problems, right now my car is a safety hazard to myself and other drivers. thank you for cooperation in this matter in advance. My Case from Corporate Mercedes Customer Care#[XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11502501

Nov 15, 2022Electrical systemEngineFire

The issue with the vehicle's electrical causing power to the starter to stay on even after the vehicle is in the park and turned off, the starter's Solenoid and other electrical parts burn, its a serious fire hazard and needs to be addressed immediately.

NHTSA ODI 11493623

Jan 4, 2022Engine

1.ENGINE MOUNTS & TRANSMISSION MOUNTS COLLAPSED. This is the second time in 10 years that this is happening. It happened at the two year mark & Mercedes Benz made me pay for half of it. Now 8 years later it is happening again. They are asking $2,130.00 to replace it. 2. OIL FILTER GASKET Found severe oil links from oil filter housing. they are asking $1189.13 to replace it. this also happened 8 years ago & they made me pay for half of it as well.

NHTSA ODI 11446219

Feb 23, 2020EngineFuel system

OIL COOLER LEAKING.REPAIRED ON JANUARY 2018 ,VEHICLE HAD 66724 MILES,AT MERCEDES-BENZ OF WEST HOUSTON, EVEN AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE STILL HAS OIL COOLER LEAK. TIMING CHAIN RATTLE , INCORRECT SIGNAL FROM CAMSHAFT HALL SENSOR. AD-BLUE TANK WITH HEATING ELEMENT CODE 20B91B. SMELL DIESEL ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOW JUST 88566 MILES .

NHTSA ODI 11310986

Oct 25, 2018SteeringEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF JACKSON (455 STEED RD, RIDGELAND, MS 39157, (601) 956-4211). IT WAS UP TO THE DEALER AND WARRANTY COMPANY TO DECIDE WHO WOULD REPAIR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V459000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11142617

Feb 11, 2017Engine

OIL LEAK AT 90K MIKES

NHTSA ODI 10954051

Feb 2, 2016SeatsEngine

1. OIL LEAK FROM THE OIL COOLER ASSEMBLY IN THE DIESEL ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY, A CHEAP GASKET WAS USED TO SEAL IT! MB, WITH DIESEL EXPERIENCE OF OVER 80 YRS, SHOULD KNOW BY NOW WHAT MATERIAL THEY USE IN THEIR DIESEL ENGINE. THIS DEFECT WILL DEVELOP IN EVERY CAR THEY MADE IN THE SAME WAY AND THEY SHOULD RECALL THE CARS AND CORRECT THE ISSUE 2. THE DRIVER SEAT IS TORN ALONG THE TUFT IN THE SEAT.THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE BOARD ION ALL MB CARS USING THE SAME MATERIALS. AGAIN, IT IS A MATERIAL ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. OLD MB SEATS LASTED FOR DECADES!

NHTSA ODI 10823698

Dec 2, 2015Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ABNORMAL LEAKAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE AND AN ABNORMAL DIESEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,150. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ; 05/02/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 10807933

Oct 18, 2015Engine

VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, A LOUD THUMP WAS HEARD STOPPING THE CAR. VEHICLE WAS PUT BACK INTO DRIVE WITH LOSS OF POWER ULTIMATELY LEADING TO NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. DIAGNOSTIC WORK LEAD TO SEVERAL CODES RELATING TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10783123

May 7, 2015Engine

OIL COOLER LEAKING OIL. THIS IS A $2200.00 FIX. I SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING THIS ON A $50,000.00 AUTOMOBILE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. MERCEDES BENZ MBUSA SHOULD BE FIXING THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10715221

Apr 26, 2015Engine

REAR MAIN ENGINE OIL SEAL ON THE MERCEDES-BENZ E350 BLUETEC FAIL AFTER 90,000 MILES, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN BROKEN IN YET AND IT'S LEAKING FROM THE REAR MAIN ENGINE OIL SEAL. THIS IS A $1300.00 PLUS FIX AND I SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING ON $50,000.00 AUTOMOBILE WITH LESS THAT 200,000 MILES ON IT. MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD BE FIXING THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE NOT MINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712946

Oct 21, 2014EngineFuel system

BEGINNING SOMETIME IN MAY 2013, THE CAR BEGAN LEAKING FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN WHICH MADE ME VERY ILL. AFTER TAKING IT TO BOTH PARK PLACE MERCEDES HERE IN DALLAS, AND THEN MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO, NEITHER SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MATTER WITH PARK PLACE, I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO IN NOVEMBER 2013. THEY EVALUATED THE CAR, CHANGED THE BATTERY, AND GAVE THE CAR BACK TO ME IN DECEMBER OF 2013 FOR A WEEKEND, CLAIMING IT WAS FIXED. THE CAR, HOWEVER, WAS CONTINUING TO LEAK FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN, SICKENING ME AGAIN. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THEM FOR FURTHER EVALUATION. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED IT, BUT INSTEAD OF GETTING IN THE CAR, I SENT AN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST TO TEST THE INSIDE AIR OF THE CAR, AFTER STARTING IT UP AND LETTING IT RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THAT TEST FOUND UNUSUALLY LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF ETHANOL, PROPENE, ISOPROPANOL, ACETONE, TOLUENE, HEXANE, AND CYCLOHEXANE -- CHEMICALS WHICH ALL APPEAR TO BE COMPONENTS OF GASOLINE. I AM STILL, AS OF THIS WRITING, IN OCTOBER 2014, WRANGLING WITH MERCEDES BENZ AND MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO OVER REPAIR TO MY CAR. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A COPY OF THE REPORT OF THE AIR TEST FROM THE INTERIOR OF MY 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E550 COUPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10648992

Jul 14, 2014EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT DETECTED A STRONG BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND THE FOUR PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND CONTINUED TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AS WELL AS AN INCIDENT REPORT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI 10610482

Nov 7, 2013Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT DUE TO EXCESSIVE BIO DIESEL, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 10551326

Working with the data? Download all 295 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Mercedes-benz E-class verdict →